10/31/13 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we got back to color, the idea of color temperature, which we had discussed briefly when making the color wheels.  I showed a few dozen slides of art from the Renaissance to the present, and the class decided if the overall perceived temperature of the colors in the paintings was warm, cool, or a balance/neutral.  After that the students started work on the next graded project, which is devoted to color temperature.  I had planned to hold a critique of the prints from last week, but since only FOUR students showed up to class, I'm going to save that for next week.  

How to make this up-  This project requires you to use your acrylic paints to mix 200 different colors, which will be organized into two blocks of 100, each block representing one of the seasons of the year based on the overall temperature of the colors within.  The colors are done on separate paper and then cut out and arranged in the boxes.  Above is a student example from a previous semester.  The full instructions and additional student examples can be found here.

Homework- This graded color temperature project is due at the beginning of class on November 14, 2013, but I strongly suggest you get it done by next week, as our next project will be much more complex and you may want the extra time to work on it.

Those who have not had their wood blocks printed yet should bring them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.  

For next class 11/7/13-  We will start another graded project, this time about specific color palettes or combinations.  You will complete multiple variations of the same composition using very specific color combinations.  Once again the starting point will be a black and white photo, and as with the stipple drawing it should be a photo of something real (landscape, object, figure, etc), with a range of values from light to dark, and something you feel comfortable drawing.  I will bring in my bag of magazines to pick through, but you can save a lot of time and be more likely to find something you want to draw if you bring your own to class.  You will also need your 18"x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, and all your painting related materials.

10/25/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today the class completed the final charcoal still life drawing of the semester, spending the whole class period on it.  While they were doing that, I graded the first half portfolios, which is all the drawings done in class except for the two individually graded drawings.  The charcoal drawings were collected and will be graded and returned next week.

How to make this up-  To make up today's graded assignment, you will need to set up a still life of your own and draw it with your choice of charcoal (vine or compressed), as in the above student example from a previous semester.  Additional student examples, along with the specific directions, can be found here.

This is a graded assignment and must be made up as soon as possible to receive partial credit.  The longer the delay, the fewer points it will be worth.  The portfolio grading is also time sensitive, so if you missed that, bring it to class as soon as possible to earn the maximum points.  (if you have documentation of a legitimate excuse for missing class today, bring that as well)

Homework-  Find a pumpkin, readily available this time of year.  It can be whole or one that has been cut as a jack-o'lantern.  Shine a light on it to create patterns of light and shadow, highlighting the texture.  Draw a value drawing of the pumpkin on a full page of your sketchbook using a soft pencil.  Pay attention to shape, contours, proportions, and the different values of the skin, stem, and cut outs applicable, as well as the cast shadow.  Rotate the pumpkin and do a second value drawing in the same way.  Total of two pages of pumpkin drawings.

For next class 11/1/13- We will continue with value drawing, but switching to a new medium, ink wash.  You will need a small bottle of waterproof black drawing ink (india ink), brushes suitable for watercolor, two small containers to hold water (cups or cans will do), pencil and eraser, and your 18" x 24" pad.  

10/24/13 2D Design

Today's Class- We opened with a slide presentation about the use of text (letters, numbers) as a visual element, looking at examples through art history, along with examples of propaganda and advertising.  Students then worked on two portfolio exercises related to this topic.  Meanwhile, I helped each student pull a print of their completed woodcut black and white composition assignment, all of which can be seen above. (click photo to enlarge)

How to make this up-  We looked at text and ways it has been used in fine art, including directly telling narrative, being part of the detail of a scene, and functioning just as shapes of value and color, among other things.  In the 1940's to 1960's propaganda and advertising images, the focus was more on how fonts, colors, and locations of text in the images influence the message.  Both exercises, using pencils and markers, had connections to the slides.  Specific directions, along with some student examples from previous semesters, can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester to receive full credit, but I recommend doing them before next week for two reasons.  One, this is the last week of the semester that there isn't one graded project assigned and/or due.  Two, text will play a factor in two projects coming up this semester, so it's good to get some practice and thought on the subject now.

Homework-  Nothing new this week, but some people still owe be stipple and plant drawings.  I won't be bringing in all the printing materials again, so when completed wood blocks arrive I'll just take them, print them in my studio, and return them the following week.

For next class 10/31/13-  Back to color, with a graded project about color temperature.  Bring all your paints and painting materials, 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, scissors or x-acto knife, and either white glue or rubber cement. 

10/18/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we continued our study of value with charcoal, but added the challenge of not only dealing with the value created by light and shadow, but also the values related to the local colors of objects in the still life.  Again, drawings were done with both vine and compressed charcoal.  The class was reminded that next week is the first half portfolio collection, the requirements of which are shown below.

How to make this up-  You will need to set up a still life in the style of those done in this class- box on a table, and drape with cloth, but this time both white and a colored cloth.  Select four simple objects of similar size, two white or light colored, two dark colored, and shine light on it to create patterns of light and shadow.  You'll do one drawing with vine and one with compressed, each on a sheet of your 18" x 24" pad, paying attention to shape, size, spacing, perspective, and value, as in the above student image from a previous semester.  An additional example and the specific requirements of the assignment can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must my completed by next week's portfolio collection to receive full credit, but even besides that I recommend doing it before then for the practice, as next week you'll be doing an individually graded charcoal drawing.

Homework-  Place a box on a tabletop and drape with a cloth that has some kind or printed pattern (stripes, checked, etc).  Select four objects of similar size, two white, two colored, and arrange on and around the box. Light with a direct light source to create patterns of light and shadow.  Draw the still life in your sketchbook using a soft pencil (such as a 4B or 6B), paying attention to the usual concerns. Rearrange the objects and draw the still life again, for a total of two drawings.

1st Half Portfolio Collection

During next week's class I'll be grading the 1st half portfolio, all the work done in class that was not individually graded.  If you've never missed a class, you're all ready to go.  If you have missed some time and aren't sure if you made up the work yet, the list of what I expect to see is below, along with the dates you'll find the assignment on this blog.

Contour line (shoes) Sep 13
Reductive/gesture (bamboo) Sep 20
Negative space (chair) Sep 20
Perspective (boxes) Sep 27
Perspective (boxes and cans) Sep 27
Value w/ white objects (vine) Oct 11
Value w/ white objects (compressed) Oct 11
Value w/ mixed objects (vine) Oct 18
Value w/ mixed objects (compressed) Oct 18

For next class 10/25/13- We'll be doing the final charcoal drawing of the semester for an individual grade.  I will also grade the 1st half portfolios; the portfolios will be returned during class, and I'll be collecting the final charcoal.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, all the work from this semester (which you can leave in the pad), your charcoal of choice, and spray fixative.  

10/17/13 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we introduced the idea of color, which will be a part of almost everything we do the rest of the semester.  I showed slides with art examples ranging from cave paintings, through the renaissance, to comic books, as I discussed the evolution of color materials and the functions color served in those works.  Then the class completed some portfolio exercises in basic color theory and color mixing.

How to make this up- You will need the acrylic paints and related materials (brushes, palette, palette knife, water container), pencil and your 18" x 24" pad.  The class started by creating a color wheel with all colors derived from the three primaries plus white.  Then a pair of complementary colors was chosen and mixed to create a series of intermediate and neutral colors.  Finally, a color was taken through steps of tints and shades.  Above is an example from a previous semester.  Additional student examples and the full instructions can be seen here.

This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up by the end of the semester in order to receive full credit.

Homework-  Nothing new, but the woodcut book illustration project begun in class last week is due at the beginning of class on October 24, 2013.  We will print them in class.

Those who still owe the stipple drawing or final line drawing (plant) should complete them as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/24/13-  Students will work on some class portfolio exercises related to the use of text in art while I help individuals print their blocks.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad and black markers, along with your completed woodblock.

10/11/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we began our study of value, which will be a part of all our drawings through the rest of the semester.  I showed a few dozen slides of historical art, pointing out the ways that artists used value (light and dark) to imply three dimensional volume, form, and space, in two dimensional art, as well as to show weight, and to focus attention.   Then I had students do two charcoal drawings from a simple still life of white objects, concentrating on the effects of light and shadow.  Last week's final line drawings were returned graded.

How to make this up-  You will need to set up a still life.  Place a box on a table and drape with a white or very light colored cloth (such as a sheet or towel) and arrange 3 similar sized white or light colored objects on and around the the box.  Light the set up with a directional light (spot light, or bright sunlight coming through a window) to create strong patterns of light and shadow, as in the student example shown above.  You will do two drawings, one a value reduction drawing with vine charcoal, one a more traditional value drawing with compressed charcoal.  The specific directions and requirements for each can be found here.

These are class portfolio exercises that must be made up before the first half portfolio collection (10/25/13) to receive full credit.  However, I recommend doing them before then for practice, especially if you are new to charcoal.

Homework- Set up a still life as described in the "how to make this up" section above- draped box, 3 objects, all light colors, direct light source.  Draw the set up on a full page of your sketchbook using your softest pencil (such as a #4B or #6B), paying attention to shapes, perspective, spacing, and now matching values as closely as possible.  Then rearrange the three objects and draw the still life again.  Total of 2 sketchbook drawings.

For next class 10/18/13-  We will continue our study of value with charcoal, this time adding in local values.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, spray fixative, and your kneaded eraser.

10/10/13 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we began the design portion of the semester with a graded project relating to black and white composition.  I showed a selection of slides with a sampling of the history of printmaking, along with many examples of contemporary relief printmaking.  Then students were asked to design an illustration for a book of their choice using only black and white, and to be executed as a woodcut print.  I provided a lesson on safe and effective use of x-acto knives to cut wood.

How to make this up- You won't be able to start your block until you get one (next week I'll have them for students who missed tonight's class), but you can work on your design.  The image will be 8" x 6", and can be vertical or horizontal.  Work it out on paper and show me in class next week.  Above and below are two recent student examples.  Additional examples and the specific directions for the assignment can be found here. 

Homework-  The completed cut block for this graded woodcut book illustration project is due at the beginning of class on October 24, 2013.  I will bring the materials needed for everyone to print their blocks in class.  

Those who still owe me either the stipple drawing, the plant line drawing, or both, should turn them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/17/13-  We will begin our study of color with some exercises in color mixing.  Bring all your painting related supplies:  all the acrylic paints (red/yellow/blue/black/white) brushes, palette, palette knife, water container, as well as pencil, eraser, and your 18" x 24" pad.

10/4/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we did the final line drawing of the semester, which was also the first graded project.  Students had the whole class period to work on it, and the drawings were collected.  They'll be graded and returned next week.

How to make this up-  You will need to gather a particular group of objects and set up a still life similar in nature to the one I provided for today's class.  Place a box on a table, drape it with a large cloth, and then arrange the objects on and around the box.  Draw using pencil line only on a full sheet of your 18"x 24" paper, as in the student example above.  The list of specific objects and other requirements can be found here.

This is a graded project and must be completed as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

Homework- Set up another still life.  Place a box on a table and drape with a cloth.  Select four dissimilar objects of about the same size, and place one on the box and three around it.  Draw the whole set up on a page in your sketchbook using pencil line only, no shading.  Then leave everything where it is and move yourself to a different viewing position, one where you can still see all four objects.  Draw the set up again, pencil line only.  Total of two drawings.

For next class 10/11/13-  We will start our study of value, using charcoal.  It's messy stuff, so I suggest wearing dark colored clothes- certainly nothing white.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both compressed and vine charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.  Blending tools are optional.

10/3/13 2D Design

Today's Class-  Today we discussed the concept of value, the use of light and dark in two dimensional art.  I showed a few dozen slides of art historical work from the ancient world to the present, discussing how light could be used to imply form and volume, to show space, to focus attention on a specific area, and give clues to time of day, gravity, and texture.  Then the class did a charcoal value drawing portfolio exercise.  I returned last week's graded line drawings and talked a little about next week's woodcut project.

How to make this up-  You need to set up a still life grouping of all white or very light colored objects of similar size and light with a directional light source to create patterns of light and shadow.  Draw it on a full page of your 18" x 24" paper using either charcoal or black conte crayon, paying attention to the value of each object, as well as size, shape, space.  The specific directions for how to complete this assignment can be found here.

This is a portfolio exercise that must be completed by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework-  Nothing new, but several students still owe stipple drawings, line drawings from a plant, or both.  Complete them and bring them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/10/13- We have completed the drawing phase of this class and will move on to the more design part of the semester.  Next week we will be starting a woodcut print graded project.  For the subject you will do a book illustration, either a specific scene from a book, or something that captures the theme of the whole book.  The book you choose may be fiction or non-fiction, can be a novel, short story, poem- anything of literary merit.  No kids books, fairy tales, comic books, or anything recently turned into a motion picture.  Your illustration need not be completely realistic, but it should be representational to the extent that would all understand the image.  You don't need to have any drawings done, but do bring the book with you if possible in case you need to look something up.  Also bring paper (a sketchbook will be fine, but you can use your big pad if that's all you have), pencil and eraser, all your black markers, and an x-acto knife.  I'll provide the wood, and show many examples from previous semesters.