Today's Class- Tonight we finished everything that related to black and white for the semester. I assisted each student with printing their woodblocks, while the whole class worked on two portfolio exercises relating to the idea of text as a visual element. Below are the prints from tonight.
How to make this up- As for the text stuff, I showed an assortment of slides of visual art in which text was part of the image. Sometimes it was combinations of words and images (illustrated text), sometimes the words and numbers provided background details for the scene, but had no meaning beyond that, sometimes they contributed to the message of the piece, and some were pure design, with the shapes and colors more important than any message. Two exercises were completed using pencil and markers in your 18" x 24 " pad. One involved designing words so that the shapes and spacing of letters and locations on the page gave clues to the meanings, while the other added symbolic images. Detailed instructions and a few student examples from previous semesters can be found here.
These are portfolio exercises, due by the last day of class, but I recommend getting them done over the break for two reasons. One is that text and symbols will impact two of our remaining projects, so it's good to start thinking about these ideas. Two is that (thanks to the snow related shifting) we have nothing but graded project after spring break, lots of work to do.
Homework- Nothing new, but those who still owe their completed wood block should bring them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit, and those who still need to do last week's color exercises and/or tonight's assignment should should try to catch up before we return.
***Spring Break March 24- 28 No class next week***
For next class 4/3/14- We return to color with a graded project related to color temperature. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, all paint and related materials (brushes, palette, etc), scissors, and glue.
Today's Class- Today we began our study of color, which will be part of almost everything we do for the rest of the semester. I showed a few dozen slides tracing the development of color from cave paintings to the renaissance to comic books, looking at the evolution of color materials and color theories in art. After that, the class did a series of portfolio exercises related to basic color theory and mixing.
How to make this up- On a single sheet of your 18" x 24" pad, you will use your acrylic paints to complete three exercises involving color mixing. First will be a color wheel mixed from the three primaries and white. Second will be a mix of two complementary colors to create intermediates and neutralized tints. Third, a single hue will be taken through steps toward white and black. Above in an example from a previous semester. Additional student examples, and the detailed directions for each exercise, can be found here.
This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up by the end of the semester to receive full credit. If any of it seems too complicated, ask me about it in class next week, but don't wait to long to get to it, as the projects tend to be more time consuming as the semester goes forward.
Homework- Nothing new, but the woodblock black and white illustration projects are due at the beginning of class on March 20, 2014. I will bring the ink and tools needed to help you print them in class.
For next class 3/20/14- As a class everyone will be working on some portfolio exercises related to the idea of text as a visual element. While that is going on I will help students one at a time to print their completed wood blocks. Bring those blocks, your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, and various black markers from earlier in the semester.
Today's Class- Tonight we began the design portion of the semester, with a graded project involving composing in black and white. I showed slides of an overview of the history of printmaking, as well as some examples of contemporary prints and student examples of tonight's project. Then I went over the details of the project again, distributed wood, and later in the evening gave a demonstration of how to cut the block using an x-acto knife.
How to make this up- Everyone was in attendance tonight, so everyone received their piece of wood and cutting instructions. The assignment is to produce a black and white illustration based on the literary source of your choice (fiction or non-fiction. novel, short story, poem, etc). It can be a specific scene, or something that captures a general theme of the book. It may include text, but doesn't have to. The image can be vertical or horizontal. Above and below are some student examples from previous semesters. More detailed instructions and additional examples can be found here.
Homework- This black and white woodcut composition graded project is due at the beginning of class on March 20, 2014. The cutting of the block should be complete at that point. I'll bring in the ink and printing tools and I'll help everyone individually print their block while everyone else works on something else.
For next class 3/13/14- We will start our study of color with some portfolio exercises in basic color theory and mixing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, acrylic paints, paint brushes, palette, palette knife, water container, and pencil and eraser.
