1/29/15 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started our study of two dimensional design with the most basic of marks, the dot or point.  Students did a portfolio exercise and started the first graded project of the semester, a stipple drawing from a black and white photo.

How to make this up

Wallpaper Exercise

We opened with a portfolio exercise in which students used nothing but dots to create what I described as wallpaper patterns.  The dots can be of different sizes, and can be used to create designs of pure geometry or to make recognizable images.  The one rule is that from top to bottom the pattern must repeat at least once.  Spend up to 45 minutes completing the exercise.  This is part of the semester portfolio and must be completed by the end of the semester to receive full credit.

Stipple Drawing

A stipple drawing is a value drawing made using nothing by uniform small dots of ink.  The placement of the dots can create a variety of values and textures.  The assignment is to start with a black and white photograph of an actual 3D object or scene and to match the values in the image.  Students started with a pencil sketch of the composition, then used ultra fine point markers to start making dots.  Above is a student example from a previous semester.  Additional examples, including the one I did, plus the full details of the assignment can be found here.

Homework- The completed stipple drawing is due at the beginning of class on February 12, 2015.  You must bring both the original photo that you used and the drawing that you made.  We will have a critique and they will be returned to you graded before the end of class.

For next class 2/5/15- We still start our study of line with a series of exercises involving contour lines, with the subject being shoes.  Since shoes are designed to fit on body parts, they have many of the same characteristics of bodies- a mix of organic volumes and curves, and unlike live models, they never move and they work for free.  I will likely have a bag of shoes available, but it would be a good idea to bring an extra with you.  Avoid sandals or flip flops, an enclosed shoe gives more to work with, but otherwise any style works.  Bring your pad of 18" x 24" paper, pencils and eraser.