2/23/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we looked at value- the use of light and shadow in a two dimensional artwork to imply volume and space, to focus attention, and to reveal details. We looked a few dozen slides of art historical works and discussed the role that value played in each. After that, we did a value still life drawing, as in the example above. Last week's graded line project drawings were returned.

How to make this up- Set up a still life of your own, with all white or light color objects, and a direct light source to create patterns of light and shadow. Additional student examples and full directions can be found here.

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

Homework- Nothing new, but several students still owe me their stipple drawings and/or the plant drawing. These should be made up as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 3/1/12- Next week we enter the design phase of the class, which will begin with a woodcut print that will take book illustration as its subject. You'll need to select a book- fiction or non-fiction, novel or short story, poem, etc, anything of literary merit. No kids books or fully illustrated books. Bring the book if possible, along with some paper to sketch on (a small sketchbook will be fine, but you can use your large pad if you prefer), pencil and eraser, black markers, and your x-acto knife. I'll provide the wood and demonstration of cutting techniques.

2/23/11 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we did the final line drawing of the semester. I set up a still life with a variety of objects, some we've drawn before, some we haven't.

How to make this up- You will need to gather a particular group of objects and set up a still life of your own, as in the student example above. The list of objects and the other particulars of the assignment can be found here. This is a graded project, and must be made up to receive partial credit.

Homework- Set up a still life. Put a small box on a table, drape with a sheet or towel, and then arrange any 4 dissimilar objects of approximate size- one on the box and three around it. Draw the set up on a page of your sketchbook using pencil line only. Leaving everything exactly where it is, move yourself to a different position and draw it again on a new page using pencil line only. Total of two sketchbook drawings.

For next class 3/1/12- We will start our study of value. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.

2/16/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started with a group critique of the stipple projects, which were graded and returned. Most of the class period was spent working on our final line drawing of the semester, which was also the 2nd graded project of the semester.

How to make this up- The subject for the project will be a large leafy plant and some kind of stand to hold it up, as in the example above. Additional examples and the full directions and requirements can be found here.

This is a graded project and must be completed as soon as possible. The more weeks it is late, the lower your grade will be.

Homework- Nothing new, but if you still owe the stipple drawing, make sure you bring it in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 2/23/12- We will explore the idea of value in art with an exercise in value drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, and either charcoal or black conte crayon, along with the proper eraser, any blending tools you might have, and spray fixative if appropriate.

2/16/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today the focus was on the idea of perspective, an artistic tool that allows the logical and accurate portrayal of deep three dimensional space and relative position of multiple elements on a two dimensional surface. I did a quick demonstration of one and two point perspective on the board, but all the exercises were devoted to the idea of natural perspective, using careful observation of the relative positions of each object and the shapes of all regular surfaces.

How to make this up- We did two exercises in observing and drawing, using simple geometric objects. The first involved groups of identical boxes. The second replaced some of the boxes with cylindrical forms- mostly gallon sized paint cans. Full instructions for both exercises can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must be completed by the first half portfolio collection in order to receive full credit.

Homework- You will need a cereal or cracker box and 3 bottles of similar size. Lay the box down on a table on one of its broad sides. All three bottles will be laid down flat, one pointing right or left, one pointing toward you, and one at an angle relative to you. One of the bottles should be on top of the box, the other two in front of it. Draw the whole set up using pencil contour line on a page in your sketchbook. Switch positions so that a bottle facing a different direction is on top of the box and draw again. Make one more switch so that the bottle facing the third direction is on top of the box and draw one more time. Total of 3 pages of sketches with 3 bottles in each.

For next class 2/23/12- We will end our study of pencil contour line with our first graded project of the semester- a still life grouping with a variety of objects. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and eraser.

2/9/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started our study of line. After a slide show of art using line, from cave painting to the 20th century, students did a series of portfolio exercises involving variations of contour line, with drawings based on shoes.

How to make this up- No one was absent tonight, so everyone completed the work. However, if you lose your drawings and need to redo it before the portfolio collection, or just want to relive the experience, examples and details can be found here.

Homework- The stipple drawings begin in class last week are due at the beginning of class on February 16, 2012. You must bring in your original photo source as well. Information about the assignment can be found in last week's 2D posting.

For next class 2/16/12- After a quick critique of the stipple drawings, the rest of night will be devoted to our second graded project, a pencil still life drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.

2/9/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we continued our study of line, completing a series of exercises involving gesture drawing and negative space.

How to make this up- The class started with a short exercise involving gesture drawing from plants. Next was an exercise in pure negative space drawing, where students drew all the spaces within a wooden chair. Finally, we applied the concept of negative space to a more practical application, a still life drawing of bottles. Full directions for these exercises and student examples of each can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises and must be made up by the midterm portfolio collection in order to receive full credit.

Homework- Arrange 4 bottles of similar size (four wine bottles, four water/soda bottles, four perfume bottles, etc) on a table, relatively near each other. Draw the set up on a page in your sketchbook, using pencil line, to the level of detail in the image above. Leaving the bottles exactly where they are, move to another position and draw the 4 again. Move one more time and draw it a third time, for a total of 3 drawings of the 4 bottles. (if you would prefer, put the four bottles on something that can move, and rotate the set up without disturbing the bottles between drawings) Pay attention to the shape of individual bottles, the proportion of one to the next, and the spacing between them.

For next class 2/16/12- We will continue to work with line, dealing with some approaches to perspective. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.

2/2/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started our study of 2D art with the most basic of all marks- the point or dot. We used dots in an portfolio exercise involving patterns, and then started a graded project.

How to make this up-

Wallpaper exercise

Take a piece of your 18" x 24" paper, and use a pencil to divide it into thirds. Then use your various black markers to create patterns made of nothing by dots. You can use one of both thicknesses of marker. The patterns can be pure geometry, or form representational images. The only other rule is that the patterns must repeat at least once from the top to bottom. Above is a student example. This is a portfolio exercise, and must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Stipple Drawing graded project

A stipple drawing is a value drawing made completely from tiny dots of ink. By varying the concentration of dots, values can be made lighter or darker. The goal in this project is to exactly match the level of value (light and dark) in a black and white photograph. In the above example, the photo is on the left and the student drawing on the right. To get the full directions and see additional examples, click here.

Homework- The stipple drawing graded project is due at the beginning of class on February 16, 2012. You must have both your drawing and the original photo.

For next class 2/9/12- We will start our study of line. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser. We will do some exercises involving drawing from shoes, and since I have none to give out, you are responsible for bringing your own. You may bring an extra, or take one off your own foot.

2/2/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we started our study of line. I showed a selection of art from cave paintings to the present day, discussing how line was used in each case and the effect it had on the art. Then we did a series of portfolio exercises involving types of contour line.

How to make this up- You will need a shoe, something that is relatively enclosed (sandals don't work well). Using your 18" x 24" pad, follow the directions for the various exercises. You may draw multiple shoes on each page and use the backs of the sheets if you like. Full directions for the exercises and photo examples can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises, and must be made up by the 1st half portfolio collection in order to receive full credit.

Homework- Draw 10 sketches of shoes in your sketchbook, one per page, using pencil line. The drawings can all be of the same shoe, or from different shoes. The sketches should break down this way-

8 simple contour line sketches (exterior, simple details)

1 cross contour line drawing

1 full detail rendering of a shoe

For next class 2/9/12- We will continue with line. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and eraser. I'll provide the subject matter for the day's exercises.

1/26/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight was the first meeting of the semester. The course syllabus was distributed and reviewed. The students filled out a survey about their artistic backgrounds and interests, which we discussed as a class.

Homework- none

For next class 2/2/12- We will start our study of 2D with the most basic of marks, the point or dot. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, and ultra fine point and permanent black markers. A smaller sketchbook may be useful, but is not required. You will need a black and white photograph for one project, a photo of something real and three dimensional (person, still life, landscape, interior), not digital artwork or line art. An image with a wide range of value works best. I will have some material to pick through for those who don't bring anything, but you will save yourself a lot of time if you arrive with something you like.

1/26/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today was the first meeting of the semester. The course syllabus was distributed and reviewed. The students filled out a survey about their artistic backgrounds and interests, which we discussed as a class.

Homework- none

For next class 2/2/12- We will start our study of line. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser. We will do some drawing exercises involving shoes, so each student is responsible for bringing a shoe to draw. Either bring an extra shoe or be prepared to remove one that you are wearing.

Welcome to the Spring 2012 Semester

This is the blog website that I have set up for my classes at OCC. Following class each week I'll post information about what we did. The title of each post will include the date and the name of the class. To make things easier to follow, information about my Basic Drawing class (ARTS 183 04) will be written in green text, while information specific to my 2D Design class (ARTS 184 E01) will be shown in blue text. Information, that applies to both classes, will be posted using black text.

Each week's post will include a description of what was done in class that day. That will include a detailed description of exercises and projects. Photos of student examples from previous semesters will be included if available and applicable. I will also list homework assignments and due dates, as well as all the materials required for the following week's class. About a month's worth of postings will be shown on the main page, but earlier postings can be accessed through the archives to the right.

The main purpose of this site is to provide information for students who miss a class for whatever reason. They can get caught up quickly, perhaps even before returning to class. It is not meant to be a substitute for actually coming to class. However, the site can be useful even for those who never miss a day, but just need a reminder of what to bring the next week, or when a particular assignment is due. It is available to you 24/7 without having to wait for me to reply to an e-mail. If anyone has additional questions or needs further explanation, you are welcome to contact me by e-mail, and I'll generally get back to you within 24 hours.

12/15/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight was the final meeting of the semester. We spent some time doing a critique of all the final projects- the Board Games. After that I dismissed the class while I graded the final projects, the semester portfolios, and a few late arriving projects from past weeks. All work that was unclaimed at the end of the night was placed on a marked shelf (2D Bonelli), the top one just to the left of the classroom door. Inside each pad/pile is a grade slip with the grades for the final project and portfolio, and your attendance. I can't guarantee the long term safety of work on the shelves, so if you care about getting your art back, try to get it as soon as possible.

Final grades will be calculated in the next few days and submitted to the school. They'll be available when the school makes them so.

Enjoy the break.

12/8/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight the class filled out the course evaluation forms, and we looked at a few late arriving palettes and collage projects. Otherwise the rest of the evening was spent working on class related projects- for most students that was the board game project started last week.

***************Semester Portfolio****************

Next week the semester portfolio will be graded. This consists of all the work that has not been otherwise collected and graded. If you haven't missed any classes, you should have it all done. The following items are expected to be part of it, along with the dates each can be found on this blog.

9/15/11- wallpaper patterns in dots

9/22/11- contour line shoe drawings

10/6/11- value drawings (charcoal or conte crayon)

10/20/11- color wheel and color mixes

10/27/11- words and logos

11/22/11- color still life painting

Homework- Nothing new, but several students still owe the palettes or collage project, and of course the Board Game Final Project is due at the beginning of class on December 15, 2011.

For next class 12/15/11- Our final grading day. If you want to be safe, bring everything you did for this class this semester, but at least have the above portfolio items and your final project. If you still owe a back project, bring those as well. Anything that is not turned in next week for grading will be worth zero points. We will have a critique of the final projects, then I will dismiss the class for a while I finish grading everything. Students will be able to return later during the class to pick up all the graded work.

12/1/11 2D Design

Warhall

Andy Warhol

Roots

Kerry James Marshall

Today's Class- Tonight we looked at completed projects, first the limited palettes paintings, then the mixed media collages. After a break, we introduced the final project of the semester, a board game based on the artwork of a well known fine artist.

How to make this up- You will need to select an artist, someone from the world of fine art (appearing in art history textbooks, major museum collections, etc) who works representationally and in color. The assignment is to design a board game based on the paintings of one artist- using the specific images of the artist in a new composition of your own. Above and below are examples from previous semesters, with the title of the game and the source fine artist. Another example, with explanation of how it was created, as well as all the specific instructions for the project in general, can be found here.

Homework- This game board final project is due at the beginning of class on December 15, 2011, which is our last day of class. Those who still owe back projects, such as the color temperature collage, the mixed media collage, or the limited color palettes, should get them completed as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 12/8/11- We will likely look at a few more late arriving projects, but otherwise the class period can be used to work on anything related to this class. Most will use the time to work on the final project, but you may also use the time to make up any back work. If you know that you missed class meetings and aren't sure if you made things up yet, check back through the blog archives.

Bari Master

Ancient Egypt

Anxiety Clue

Edvard Munch

The Greek Grape Faze

Ancient Greece

2D Design Still Life Painting Exercise

How to make this up- Set up the still life. Put a box on a table, drape with a multicolored cloth. Find 3 solidly colored objects (each a different color from the others and the cloth) and arrange them on and around the boxes. Produce a painting of the still life using your acrylic paints on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper. As with previous still life projects, pay attention to the individual shapes of objects, their relative position and proportion, but to that add the idea of matching both exact color and value. You may sketch with pencil first, or just paint directly on the page. For the background you can use any color you like. Above are a few examples from previous semesters.

This is a portfolio exercise, which must be made up by the end of the semester to receive full credit.

11/17/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started a new graded project involving mixed media collage. We looked at a few historical slides of collage precedents, as well as some student examples from previous semesters, then students chose their collage subjects. We also looked at a few more of the season collages and some of the Russian word text exercise that we had done a few weeks ago.

How to make this up- The first step in the project is to receive the randomly generated phrase that will be the subject of your collage. Students in class received these by picking slips of paper with words from different bags. You may either e-mail me and I'll send you a phrase, or wait until our next class and select one yourself. Previous examples include City of Zoo (above) and Everything Turns to Thinking (below). The full details of the project and additional student examples can be found here.

Homework- This mixed media collage project is due at the beginning of class on December 1, 2011. The limited palettes color project that we started in class last week is also due on December 1st.

If you still owe me the season temperature collage or the woodcut block, try to get them in as soon as possible to still receive some partial credit.

For next class November 22, 2011. That's right, our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 22nd, to make up for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will do a portfolio exercise related to classic still life painting. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.

11/10/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started a new graded project related to color combinations, sometimes referred to as an artist's palette. Sometimes artists will try to closely match all the original colors in a scene they are painting, but at other times they will purposely choose different colors to achieve a different feeling. We looked at some art historical examples of paintings using some common types of combinations, then started on the project. We reserved time at the end of class to look at the color temperature collages started last week.

How to make this up- You will need to find a black and white photograph of an actual thing or scene, with a wide range of value from light to dark. Use pencil to divide a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper into 4 equal boxes. Do a compositional sketch of your photo in all four boxes, then use your acrylic paints to color each version of the composition, using some specific formats. Above are two student examples from previous semesters. The full details regarding the types of color combinations, and further student examples can be found here.

Homework- This limited palettes graded project is due at the beginning of class on December 1, 2011. We will be starting a new graded project next week, so I suggest making some progress on this one before then.

For next class 11/17/11- We will be starting a new graded project involving mixed media collage. Bring your 18" x 24" paper, pencil and eraser, markers, acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container, glue, and scissors.

11/3/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started a new graded project involving color temperature. I showed a selection of art historical slides, and we discussed whether the overall perceived color temperature of each was warm, cool, or balanced/neutral. After that students began mixing colors for the project. We saved time at the end of class to have a critique of the woodcut prints that were pulled last week.

How to make this up- You will be creating a pair of collages, each reflecting the overall temperatures associated with two of the seasons of the year, as in the example above. Full instructions and additional student examples can be found here.

Homework- This color temperature collage graded project is due at the beginning of class next week, November 10, 2011. Anyone who has not yet turned in their completed wood block should complete it as soon as possible and bring it to class to be printed.

For next week 11/10/11- We will be starting a new graded project involving specific color combinations. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container. You will be working from a black and white photograph, so either bring one of your own or be prepared to pick through my pile of magazines to find one.

10/27/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started the class by looking at slides of art through history that made use of text as a visual element and/or for its meaning. We also looked at examples of advertising through the 20th century, discussing how text was used (fonts, colors), symbolism, and general visual appeal. Based on that, students did two related portfolio exercises. While that was going on, I helped students individually print their wood blocks.

How to make this up- No one missed class tonight, so everyone should know the assignments- the descriptively drawn words and the business logos. However, if you want a reminder of what we did, the specifics and a few examples can be found here.

Homework- Nothing new, but if anyone still owes any back projects, try to complete them as soon as possible. Those who did not have their block in class tonight should finish them by next week and bring them in.

For next class 11/3/11- We will critique the prints pulled tonight, and start a new graded project involving color temperature. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, paints, palette, palette knife, brushes, and water container, as well as scissors and glue.

10/20/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we began our study of color, which will factor into almost everything that we do the rest of the semester. We looked at examples of art in color, from cave paintings to comic books, discussing the evolution of color technology and materials, and how artists have used it for different effects. Then the class did some portfolio exercises involving color.

How to make this up- The class completed three exercises involving color theory and color mixing, as in the above example. The full instructions and additional student examples can be found here. Some of the steps are complicated, so if you find it too confusing, wait and discuss it with me in class next week, and devote your time to finishing your woodblock instead. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- Nothing new, but the woodcut blocks started in class last week are due next Thursday, October 27, 2011, at the beginning of class. If you still owe one of the previous graded assignments, get it done as soon as possible.

For next class 10/27/11- Students will work on a few text related portfolio exercises, while I help everyone print their woodblocks one at a time. Bring your 18" x 24" paper, pencil and eraser, black markers, and the completed woodblock.