5/9/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Our final meeting of the semester.  We started with a group critique of the Final Drawings from last week's class.  After that I dismissed everyone while I completed the grading of the 2nd half portfolios, and the sketchbooks.  When everyone returned about an hour later they picked up all those items and learned those grades.  Those who did not return can find their graded work on the top shelf on the set closest to the classroom door (the shelf has my name on it) with everyone's sketchbook tucked inside their 18" x 24" pad.  Final semester grades will be calculated over the next few days and will  be available online sometime after that.

Enjoy your summer.

5/2/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today was the final still life drawing of the semester.  A still life with a group of mixed objects was set up at the beginning of class and students had the whole class period to do their best drawing from it using their choice of charcoal, conte crayon, or ink wash.

How to make this up-  Everyone on the current roster showed up today, so everyone turned it in.

Homework-  No new homework this week, but next week I'll be grading the sketchbooks.  If you are not currently caught up, you have until next Thursday to make them up.  If you go back through the blog you will find the specific assignments for the 33 assigned sketches.

2nd Half Portfolio-

Next week I'll be grading the 2nd Half Portfolio, all the work not individually graded since we finished charcoal. This is what I'll be looking for and where it can be found on this blog:

3/21/13  Ink Wash  two still life drawings

4/11/13  Monotype Prints  three prints made with oil paint on plastic or metal

4/18/13  Conte crayon  two still life drawings, one red, one black

4/25/13  Conte crayon  mannequin drawings, two using black and red together

For next class 5/9/13-  Our final meeting.  We'll have a group critique of the final drawings, and I'll dismiss everyone temporarily while I finish grading those, the portfolios, and the sketchbooks.  You must bring the portfolios and sketchbooks to get the points for those.   Everything will be graded and returned before the end of the class period.

Juried Student Art Exhibition

It's time for the 2013 Annual Student Art Juried Competition.  The show is open to all current OCC students.  All artwork should have been completed during the 2012-3 academic year.  Artwork needs to be dropped off outside room B128 (our classroom) between Wednesday, May 1st and the morning of Tuesday, May 7th.  (look for entry slips on the the table in the hallway) You may submit as many pieces as you like and there is no entry fee.  Jurying will be on May 7th at 1:00 pm.  This year's guest juror is Tom Watcke, professor of fine art at Albright College in Reading, PA.  Cash prizes will be awarded.   Rejected work can be picked up on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. The work will be hung in the halls of the ACC B building, with an opening reception on Thursday, May 23rd at 5:00 pm.    For more information, see the posters hung around the building.

4/25/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we continued using the conte crayons that we started with last week, but today used them together in the same drawing, to simulate a style of drawing that goes back to the Renaissance, chiaroscuro drawing.  Traditional chiaroscuro drawing makes use of a piece of paper pre-colored with a medium value tone (colorful or neutral), which functions as the middle value tone in the drawing.  The artist uses white crayons to draw highlights and black to draw shadows.  I showed examples of this, slides and an actual drawing.  Since we don't have colored paper, we simulated the concept using white paper for our lights, the red crayon for the middle tone, and the black crayon for the shadows, also shown to the class in both slide and drawing form.  Above is a drawing from a previous semester.

How to make this up-  Today I brought out a few mannequins, so we could try drawing something a little more complex than the usual objects.  This medium particularly lends itself to head and figure.  The class did two drawings, each one from one of the mannequins.  Examples of student drawings and the full directions can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises and must be made up by the last day of the semester to receive full credit.

Homework-  Find a shoe and light with directional light to create light and shadow patterns. Draw the shoe on a page in your sketchbook using both the red and black crayons together, paying attention to shape, proportion, and value.  Then change the position of the shoe or switch to a different shoe, and do a second drawing,  Total of two drawings.

For next class 5/2/13-  We will be doing the final still life drawing of the semester.  The class will have the full 3.5 hour class period to work on it.  Students may choose from charcoal (vine or compressed), ink wash, or conte crayon (red, black, or both) to complete their drawing.  Bring your 18" x 24 pad, the  medium of your choice, and any related materials (spray fixative, blending tools, etc).

4/18/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we went back to value drawing, but with a new medium, conte crayon.  These crayons are harder than wax crayons, or even charcoal, but can be blended to create gradual value changes.  Blending takes more effort than charcoal, but the crayons are less likely to smear, so great for drawing objects with clean edges and specific details.  The crayons come in a variety of earth tones, but we worked with black and red, as in the student examples above.

How to make this up-  I set up two typical still lifes today, all objects and drapery you've seen before.  The idea was for everyone to get a feel for how this drawing material differs from the charcoal that has been used several times before.  First I had everyone do a drawing with black, not unlike working with the familiar charcoal.  Second, after rearranging the still life objects, the class did one using just the red crayon.  Full details as to how to make this up, including additional student examples, can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises and must be made up by the last class of the semester to receive full credit.

Homework-  Gather a place setting of silverware (fork, knife, spoon) and arrange on a table in front of you, so that none of the utensils are parallel to each other.  Have some kind of direct light so the utensils have cast shadows and possibly reflections.  Draw on a page in your sketchbook using the black crayon, paying attention to shape, proportion, value, and surface detail.  Without touching the utensils, do a second drawing using just the red crayon.  Then rearrange the utensils, with still none parallel to each other, and do two more drawings, one black and one red.  Total of 4 value drawings.

For next class 4/25/13- We will continue using conte crayons, but this time using the red and black together in a variation of chiaroscuro technique.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both red and black conte crayons, and erasers.

4/11/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today the class explored a particular printmaking medium known as monotype.  The process has much in common with reductive value drawing, which we did with vine charcoal, except that the drawing is completed before it ever touches the paper.  Above and below are examples of student monotype prints from previous semesters.  I also returned the graded ink wash drawings from last week.

How to make this up- The process involves creating an image in oil paint or oil based ink on an absolutely flat surface, such as glass, plastic, or metal.  This can be done with brushes and other implements.  Once the image is finished, a piece of paper is put on top and the back of the paper carefully rubbed to transfer the image.  Additional examples of student prints, and the specific instructions for making up the assignment, can be found here.

This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up by the last day of the semester to receive credit.

Homework-  Although I often have students who enjoy this process enough that they try more at home, it can be very messy and hard to print in a sketchbook, so this week there will be no homework assignment.  However, I'm sure that most or all of you are not completely caught up on all of them, so I suggest you use this week to do so.  You can go back through this blog and find all of the homework assigned each week.

For next class 4/11/13- We will try the last new medium of the semester, conte crayon.  These crayons are made with a clay base, harder than ordinary wax crayons, and come in a variety of red, brown, and black hues.  We will work with black and red (sanguine) colors.  Their hardness allows the artist to make more precise edges than charcoal, but they can still be blended.  Bring your 18" x 24" paper, both red and black conte crayons, and pencil and kneaded erasers.

4/4/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we continued our study of ink wash, doing the third graded project of the semester, an ink wash drawing of a large leafy plant hanging within a tripod.  The drawings were collected at the end of class and will be returned graded next week.

How to make this up- Our subject was a large plant hanging within a wooden tripod holder, set in the center of the room.  All the lights were on, so the value being studied was all local colors, plus whatever bits of shadow might be found within.  The plant was drawn at 100% scale (the size of a leaf in your drawing should be about the same size as the actual leaf), with the pot more or less centered in the 18" x 24" paper and the subject continuing to the edge(s) of the paper.  Above and below are some student examples from previous semesters.  Additional examples, and the specific directions as how to make this up, can be found here.  This is a graded project and must be made up as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

Homework-  Continuing this idea, you'll work with ink wash and a plant form.  Put together a grouping of flowers that contains at least 3 flowers.  These can be alive, cut flowers, dried flowers, artificial, etc, and they should be in some kind of container.  View them in a normally lit room.  Do a simple pencil line contour sketch of the set up (include whatever stems, leaves, etc are in the view) on a full page inside your sketchbook, then draw the value in using ink wash, matching the values as closely as possible.  Do one such ink wash drawing in your sketchbook.

For next class 4/11/13- We will try a drawing related printmaking process called monotype.  Oil based ink or paint is used to create an image on a flat plate, manipulated until you are satisfied with the drawing, and then printed onto a piece of paper.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, a small tube of black oil paint (or oil based relief ink if you can find it), a printing plate (glass or plexiglass about 8" x 10" works well, such as is used in small picture frame) and paint brushes.  

3/21/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we continued our study of value in still life drawing, but with a new medium, ink wash.  We looked at a few slides of historical artwork in this medium, and a few examples of student work- both slides and actual drawings.  I showed an example of my own how washes are built up gradually to get the full range of values.  Then students did two drawings from the set up using the ink wash to match the values.  We also took time to look at last week's charcoal drawings and have a quick critique before the graded drawings were returned.

How to make this up- Set up the still life.  Hang a large white drape of some kind (sheet, towel, etc) from something tall or from a wall so that it creates a backdrop.  Place all-white objects in front of the drape and lightly produce a pencil contour line sketch of the set up.  Then use ink wash to match the value of the objects and drape.  Before beginning, look at this example of how ink wash is mixed and how they are used to gradually build value in a drawing.  Do two such drawings on your 18" x 24" paper, paying attention to size, shapes, and value, as in the examples above.  Additional examples of student ink wash drawings and the specific instructions for the assignment can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the last day of class to receive credit.

Homework-  Set up a still life similar to what we had in class.  Hang a white or light colored drape so that it hangs down and the lower part rests on a table or the floor.  Place a white or light colored object at the base of the drape.  Light with a directional light to create patterns of light and shadow.  Do a contour line sketch in pencil in your sketchbook, then use ink wash to match the values.  Replace the object with a different white or light colored object and do another ink wash value drawing.  Total of two drawings, one per page.

****Spring Break next week No Class 3/28/13****

For next class 4/4/13-  We will continue using ink wash, doing the third graded project of the semester. Bring your 18" x 24" pad (or an equivalent size piece of watercolor paper), pencil and eraser, black waterproof drawing ink, watercolor brushes, and containers for water.

3/14/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today the class did the final charcoal value drawing of the semester, which was turned in to be graded and returned next week. While that was going on, I graded the 1st Half Portfolio, all the drawings done this semester except for the two individually graded drawings.  

How to make this up- You will need to set up a still life involving both mixed value drapery and mixed value objects.  Draw the still life using either vine or compressed charcoal.  Student examples and the full directions for how to set up the still life can be found here.

This is a graded assignment.  The longer it takes to you to make it up, the more points will be deducted from the grade.  

If you did not turn in the portfolio today, complete it and bring it in as soon as possible.  Again, the longer the delay, the more points will be deducted.  

Homework-  You will need two balls used for playing sports.  One large (such as a basketball, football, soccer ball, etc) and one small (such as a baseball, softball, tennis ball, etc).  Place the two next to each other and light to create patterns of light and shadow.  Draw on a page of your sketchbook using your softest pencil (such as a 6B or 8B), paying attention to shape, relative size, and value.  Arrange the two differently and draw again on a second page in your sketchbook.  Total of two drawings.

For next class 3/21/13-  We will continue our study of value in drawing, but now using ink wash.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, small bottle of black waterproof drawing ink, watercolor brushes, and two containers (cups, cans, etc) that will hold water.

3/7/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we continued our study of value using charcoal, both vine and compressed.  One significant difference- this time the set up included not just white objects and drapery, but objects with other local values.  Two drawings were done.

How to make this up- Set up a still life.  Place a box on a table and drape with both a white and solidly colored cloth, so that parts of both are visible.  Arrange 4 objects (two white or light colored, two darker colored) on and around the draped box,  Light with a directional light to create patterns of light and shadow.  Further details and examples of previous student work can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises, which should be done before next week, both for the practice and because the 1st half portfolio will be graded during class next week.

1st Half Portfolio Collection

Next week I'll be grading the 1st Half Portfolio, which is all the work done in class except for the Still Life Line Graded Project.  If you haven't missed any parts of any classes, you should have it all done.  If you have missed time, or just want to make sure you have it all in one place, these are the expected drawings and the dates you'll find them on this blog:

1/31/13  Contour Line (shoes)
2/7/13    Gesture/Reductive (bamboo)
              Negative Space  (chair, bottles)
2/14/13  Perspective (boxes, boxes and cans)
2/28/13  Value w/white objects (vine and compressed)
3/7/13    Value w/mixed value objects (vine and compressed)

Portfolios not brought in for grading on March 14th can be submitted in subsequent weeks, but will lose points for each week they are late.

Homework- Set up a still life.  Place a box on a table, and drape with a patterned cloth (stripes, checked, etc) Find 4 small objects of similar size, 2 white, 2 darker colors, and arrange on and around the draped box.  Light with a directional light to create patterns of light and shadow.  Draw the set up in your sketchbook using your softest pencil (6B or 8B), matching shapes, spacing, perspective, and value.  Then either change you position or rearrange the four objects and draw it again. Total of two pages of drawings.

For next class 3/14/13-  I will grade the 1st Half Portfolios while you work on our second graded project of the semester, the final charcoal drawing.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, whichever kind of charcoal you prefer to draw with, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.

2/28/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we started our study of value, the use of light and dark in two dimensional art, which will be a part of all our drawing for the rest of the semester.  Value helps to imply form and space in a still life.  Patterns of value can provide a type of rhythm to drawings, as well as focus attention on specific areas of the composition.  I set up a still life of all white objects and drapery, so that we would just be studying the effect of light and shadow, and not concerning ourselves with local color values.  Drawings were done with both vine and compressed charcoal.  Last week's line drawings were returned graded.

How to make this up- You will need to set up your own still life.  Place a medium size box or stack two small boxes on a table.  Drape with a white or very light colored sheet or towel.  Find three white or very light colored simple objects of roughly similar size to use in the still life, and the set up should be lit with a directional light that will result in patterns of light and shadow.  Specific instruction as to how to set it up and to use the charcoal can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must be made up before the 1st Half Portfolio collection and grading at the beginning of class on March 14, 2013.

Homework-  Set up a still life in the nature of the one mentioned above, three white or light colored objects, white drape, box, single light source.  Sketch the still life in your sketchbook, using a full page, and using your softest pencil (6B or 8B if you have one).  Pay attention to our usual concerns of shape, proportion, spacing, and perspective, but now also pay attention to value- try to match the values as closely as possible for the objects and drapery, and choose background value(s) that best contrast with the value in the objects.  Leaving the objects in place, move yourself to a new viewing position and draw the still life again in full value.  Total of two pages of drawings.

For next class 3/7/13-  We will continue studying value with charcoal, adding in the challenge of drawing from mixed value objects.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.

2/21/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today was our final line drawing of the semester, a graded project.  A still life with a variety of objects (some we've drawn before, some we haven't) was set up at the start of class, and students were given the full class to do a drawing of it.  The drawings were collected and will be returned graded next class.

How to make this up- You will need to set up a still life similar to the one above.  The list of objects to use in the still life and the other particulars of the assignment can be found here.  This is a graded assignment and must be made up as soon as possible.  

Homework- Set up a small still life.  Place a box on a table and drape with a sheet or towel.  Select three dissimilar objects of approximate size.  Place on one top of the box and the other two on the table around it.  Draw the still life in your sketchbook using the whole page, pencil line only, about the same level of detail as the class drawings from today.  Then without changing anything in the still life, move yourself to a new viewing position and draw it again in your sketchbook.  A total of two pages.

For next class 2/28/13- We will start our study of value, using charcoal.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative. 

2/14/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  We continued our work on pencil line drawing, this time concentrating on perspective.  I discussed and demonstrated one and two point perspective basics on the board, but for the purposes of drawing we are concentrating on natural perspective, drawing things based on their appearance from a single viewpoint.  I set up still life groupings of objects with simple geometric forms and had students draw them as portfolio exercises.

How to make this up-   On a table in the center of the room I set up groups of identical boxes, laying on the table on their broad side, in stacks of one, two, or three high, spread around the table.  Students were asked to select a view that had 3 of the stacks, and draw the boxes, paying attention to the proportions of the facing sides, the relative size of the top of the box stack to the sides, points where one object meets another,  and the spacing in between.  For the second exercise I removed some of the boxes and replaced them with cylindrical forms (various types of cans), so that we could consider the ellipses, the curved shapes at the top and bottom of the cans.  Details about how to set up your own still life groupings and what to do can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises and must be made up by the mid semester portfolio review to get full credit.

Homework- You will need a box like the ones above and three bottles of similar size.  Lay the box on a table.  The bottles will also be placed on their sides, one (the mouth) facing toward you, one facing to the right or left, and one facing an angle in between.  One bottle should be on the box, and two in front of it.  Draw the set up with pencil on a page in your sketchbook.  Switch the bottle on top of the box with one of the others facing a different direction and draw again.  Switch the bottle on top with the one in the third direction and draw one more time.  A total of three drawings of the box and three bottles, with the bottles in different directions and positions in each.

For next class 2/21/13-  We will finish our study of line with a complex still life (multiple different objects), our first graded project of the semester.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and erasers.  I will be collecting the drawings at the end of class.

2/7/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we continued our study of line, completing three portfolio exercises, dealing with such concepts as reductive lines, and negative space.  

How to make this up- We did three exercises using pencil line, each taking one page in the 18" x 24" pad.  First was doing a series of reductive sketches from a plant.  Second was an exercise in pure negative space, drawing the empty spaces in a wooden chair.  For the third exercise we found a more practical application for using negative space in a still life drawing.  The specific instructions for these exercises can be found here.  These are portfolio exercises and must be made up by the first half portfolio collection.

Homework- Set up a still life with 4 bottles of similar size (four wine bottles, four soda bottles, four perfume bottles, etc), arranged near each other.  Draw the set up using pencil line only, to the level of detail in the above student drawing.  Pay attention to the size and shape of the bottles and the space around and between them.  Use a full page in your sketchbook.  Leave the bottles where they are and move yourself to a new viewing position and draw it again.  Then move one more time and draw it again, for a total of three drawings.  (instead of moving around your set up, the other option is to have the four bottles on some kind of tray and just rotate the tray without disturbing the bottles)

For next class 2/14/13- We will continue with line, with exercises that explore perspective in drawing.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.

1/31/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we began our study of line.  I showed a few dozen slides of historical art, from cave paintings through the 20th century, discussing how artists used line and the effect it had in the art.  After that, the class did a series of contour line exercises, working from shoes.

How to make this up-  Use your 18" x 24" pad and the pencil(s) of your choice.  Choose a shoe, one that is enclosed works best (avoid sandals, flip flops, etc).  You may put multiple shoe drawings on each page (as in the example above), and even use the backs of the pages if you want.  Full details of the exercises can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the first half portfolio collection.

Homework- In your sketchbook you will do a series of drawings of shoes using pencil line.  You may use the same shoe for all drawings, or a variety of shoes.  Draw one shoe per page in your sketchbook, drawing them large enough so that they mostly fill the page.  Do the following sketches:

8 exterior contour line only
1 cross contour shoe drawing
1 full detail line drawing

For next class 2/7/13- We will continue working with line.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and eraser, and your sketchbook homework.  I'll provide the subjects for the drawing exercises.

1/24/13 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today was the first meeting of the semester.  After taking attendance, I reviewed the syllabus with the class.  Then I had the students fill out a survey of art interests and experiences, which we reviewed as a class.  

For next class 1/31/13- We'll begin our study of line.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.  We'll be drawing from shoes, but since I don't have enough to give to everyone, you'll be responsible for providing one of your own.  You may either bring an extra to class, or be prepared to take one off your foot.

Welcome to the Spring 2013 Semester

This is the blog that I have set up for my classes at Ocean County College.  Each week I will post information about the most recent class meeting.  The date of the class meeting and the name of the class will appear in the title.  Information specific to my Basic Drawing class (ARTS 183 - 04) will appear in green text.  General information for all students will appear in black text.

Sometime in the evening after each class meeting I'll post information about the class.  I will include a general description of what was covered that day, with detailed information about the specific exercises and/or projects worked on in class.  If available, I'll include photos of student examples from previous semesters.  Each post will also include the homework assigned that week, and a list of materials that will be needed for the following week's class.  About a month's worth of posts will appear on the main page, but the earlier ones can be viewed by clicking on "older posts" at the bottom of the page, or through the archive section in the right side column.

The main purpose of this blog is to help students who miss a class for whatever reason to catch up quickly.  Many students are able to make up missed work even before the following week.  Keep in mind that this is not an online class, and this blog is not a substitute for attending class.  But even if you never miss a class meeting, the blog may be helpful for students who would like to see additional examples of the projects, or who want reminders of when things are due, the specifics of the homework, or which materials to bring to class.  It is available to you 24/7 without you having to wait for me to reply to an e-mail.  If you have any questions that are not answered in the weekly posts, you can still e-mail me and I'll likely get back to you within a day.

12/20/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight was our last meeting of the semester.  We looked as a group at the final projects (board games), and I dismissed everyone briefly while I graded those, the portfolios, and some late arriving other projects.  Most people came back to the room to claim their artwork and learn the grades for things turned in tonight.  Work not picked up by 10:00 pm was placed on our class shelf (top shelf just to the left of the door).  I can't guarantee their safety, so if you care about your stuff, get it as soon as you can.  Final class grades will be calculated in the coming days and be posted to WebAdvisor.  When they will be available to view I don't know.

Enjoy the break. 

12/13/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we had a critique of the mixed media collage projects, which were graded and returned.  We also took a few minutes to fill out the class evaluation forms.  Otherwise, everyone was working on the Final (board game) Project.  

Homework-  The Board Game Final Project is due at the beginning of class on December 20, 2012.  

If anyone still owes back projects, such as the limited palettes, or the mixed media collage, they need to be turned in on December 20, 2012 to receive partial credit.

For next class 12/20/12-  This will be our last meeting of the semester.  We will start with a critique of the Final Projects, then I will dismiss everyone temporarily while I grade those, the semester portfolios (the list of items in the portfolio can be found on last week's post), and any late arriving projects.  At a time I will let you know next week, you may return to pick up your graded items.  Be on time-  the sooner we start, the sooner we will be done.

12/6/12 2D Design

 Painted Dreams

Vincent Van Gogh

Today's Class-  Tonight we held a brief critique of the limited palettes graded project, looked at a few slides while discussing aspects of composition, and then began our final project of the semester, a piece based on the work of a chosen fine artist, and using the format of a board game.

How to make this up- You need to choose a well known fine artist (someone included in major museum collections, art history books) from the 20th century or earlier, who works flat (paintings, drawings, prints), representationally (no total abstraction) and in color.  You will use elements (figures, objects, interiors, landscape, backgrounds) from two or more of this artist's works and create a new composition of your own.  Color and style should be matched as closely as possible.  The design will be executed on a piece of mat board or similar heavy cardboard, using your acrylic paints.  The board should fold in half, as traditional game boards do.  Recommended size is between 15" x 20" and 18" x 24".  

Because this is a board game format, your composition must include some kind of game path, and the title of the game.  The game should have a theme, a goal for players of the game, so it's not just a collection of artwork.  Consider color, value, balance, and other design elements in your composition, as the finished piece will be judged as a painting just as much as a game.  Student examples can seen above and below.  More details, the story behind my example, and additional student examples, can be seen here.

 Love Story

Roy Lichtenstein

Magritte, The Game

Rene Magritte

Homework-  This Game Board Final Project is due at the beginning of class on December 20, 2012.  This is also the last meeting of the class.  No class work will be accepted after this date.  

The mixed media collage projects begun last week are due at the beginning of class on December 13, 2012.  If you haven't yet received your randomly generated topic, you must e-mail me as soon as possible to get it, or you can't start the project.

Some students still owe back projects, such as the woodcut and the limited palettes.  Turn them in next week for partial credit.  

*****Semester Portfolio*****
On the last day of class, I'll be grading the semester portfolio, which is all the things done in class that weren't individually graded projects.  Collectively they count for 20% of your semester grade.  If you didn't miss any classes, you should have all these done.  If you missed time, or just need a reminder of what I'll be looking for, here's the list, along with the dates you'll find them on the blog:

9/13/12   Wallpaper with dots
9/20/12   Contour Line Drawing (shoes)
10/4/12   Value Drawing (charcoal)
10/18/12  Color Wheel and Mixing
10/25/12  Text and Logo

For next class 12/13/12-  We will open with a group critique of the mixed media collages.  After that it's a general work day for the class.  Most will use the time to work on the game board project, but you can work on class related project, including the portfolio exercises, that you need to finish before the end of the semester.  Bring whatever materials you need to work on whatever you plan to work on.

11/29/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we started a new graded project involving mixed media collage.  I showed a few slides of historical collages through the 20th century, as well as student examples of this project.  A random process was used to come up with the subjects, after which students used all the materials from the semester to create visuals of those subjects.  We also took a few minutes to finally have a brief critique of the wood cut projects.

How to make this up-  This project borrows two aspects of the Dada movement, the use of collage and the use of random elements to create art.  You will need a randomly generated phrase to be your subject.  I had students pick slips of paper with words printed on them out of two bags, one with nouns, one with modifying words and phrases.  If you weren't there tonight, you can either e-mail me and have me pick a phrase for you, or wait until next week's class and pick it yourself.  Then you will create a mixed media collage about your random phrase.  The piece must include collaged elements (magazines, etc), painted elements, and drawn (pencils, markers) elements, along with the phrase that you drew from the bags.  The student examples shown here are City of Zoo (above) and Everything Turns to Thinking (below).  Several more good student examples, as well as more details about this project, can be seen here.

Homework-  This mixed media collage graded project is due at the beginning of class on December 13, 2012.  

The limited palettes color studies project that we began at our last class meeting is due December 6, 2012.

Anyone who still hasn't had their wood block printed should bring it in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 12/6/12-  We will have a critique of the limited palettes project and then start our final project of the semester.  The project will involve making use of elements taken from the work of a historical fine artist (someone found in major museums and art history textbooks) from the 20th century or earlier.  The artist must work in two dimensions (painting, drawing, prints), and use full color and representational imagery (no total abstraction).  If you have an artist that you'd like to work with, bring color images with you to class.  If not, consider a book covering a particular style, culture, or subject, and narrow it down later.  Also bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, and all your painting related materials.

11/15/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight the class started a new graded project involving specific limited palettes.  Rather than just imitate the local colors of the subject, sometimes an artist will choose a different but logical color scheme for the depiction.  I showed slides of historical art, and pointed out examples of monochromatic, complementary, split complementary, analogous, and triad palettes.  Students then started with a composition and value structure from a black and white photo and used it as the basis for four painted studies with different color combinations.

How to make this up- Start with a black and white photo of something real (person, object, scene, etc) with a mix of values from light to dark.  Use pencil to divide a piece of your 18"  x 24" paper into four equal boxes of about 9" x 12".  Sketch the basic composition (can be vertical or horizontal) four times in pencil, once in each box.  Use your acrylic paints to create color versions of the image in the photo, in four of the six possible color schemes available for this project.  Above are two examples from a previous semester.  Additional student examples and the full directions and color palette options can be seen here.

Homework- This limited palette graded project is due at the beginning of class on December 6, 2012.  

Those who still owe me their completed woodblock should bring them in as soon as possible to be printed.

***Thanksgiving Break November 21 to 23***
******No class meeting on 11/22/12*******

For next class 11/29/12-  We will start a new graded project involving mixed media collage.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, markers, paints and painting materials, scissors and glue.  If you have any old magazines that you'd like to make available to be cut up as part of the collage, bring them along.

Revised 2D Design Schedule

Things look good for school to open this week, and so we can expect to return to class this Thursday.  We have missed two weeks of our 15 week schedule, so I've had to make some adjustments.  This meant dropping a few planned items, but this still leaves us with three more graded projects, including the final.

Homework-  Nothing new, but if anyone hasn't printed their cut woodblocks yet, bring them in as soon as possible.  I'll collect them, print them in my home studio, and return them the following week.

For next class 11/15/12-  We will start a new color related graded project.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, all your paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.  This project will require a black and white photograph to work from.  As with the dot project, it should be of an actual object/scene and works best if there are a wide range of values from light to dark.  You may bring a photo of your own or pick through my bag of magazines.

Post Storm Update Part 2

Coming to you again courtesy of my brother, as I am still without power or internet at home.

I learned today that OCC has cancelled all classes through the end of the week, so we will be missing another Thursday night (11/8/12) class.  Sometime over the weekend I'll come up with a new plan for the remaining weeks, deciding which assignments will have to be skipped, etc.  All the projects have a purpose and contribute to the understanding of 2D art, but we can't get them all in now.  Check back here early next week, but whatever we do, assume that you'll need the big pad, pencil and eraser, and all your painting related materials.

Post Storm Update

Like many of you, I am still without electric power or internet at home, but I found a place to get on the web today to update my college classes.  

We missed our planned meeting last week.  As of now the college has committed to being closed Monday (11/5) and Tuesday (11/6).  I don't know if this means that they will be back in session in time for our next Thursday class, or if they just don't know yet.  If school is open on Thursday, I expect to be there.  At that time we will continue with the previous planned lesson, beginning a new graded project relating to color.  (if the school doesn't open this week, I'll come up with a new plan later)

Homework- Nothing new, but if you did not have your wood block completed last time, bring it as soon as possible.  I will collect them, print them in my home studio, and return them the following week.

For next class 11/8/12- We will start a new graded project relating to color.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, all your acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container, along with pencil and eraser, and scissors and glue (white or rubber cement).