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).

10/25/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we looked at slides that had in common the use of text- letters and/or numbers. This included art from the medieval period through the present, as well as images from advertisements from the mid 20th century.   What all had in common was that the text elements generally provided content (information), but also the text was part of the compositional design and often the style of the text related to the style of art, or had a relationship to the theme of the piece.  This was all in preparation for a few related portfolio exercises.  Meanwhile, I helped all students who had finished blocks to print their woodcuts, which can be seen above.  

How to make this up-  The students did two exercises using markers.  One involved choosing words from a list, and then designing them on the page so that the meaning of the word was apparent from the way it was written.  Another required students to create logos for imaginary businesses, symbols that would sum up the nature of the business.  Example of both exercises and the full directions can be found here.  Though the work can be made up at any time before the end of the semester, I recommend getting to it soon, as the lesson here will be helpful for some future graded projects, and starting next week, there will be assigned homework after every class.

I am not likely to bring all the printing supplies with me next week, but students can still turn in their completed wood blocks, and I'll print them at my studio and bring in the results the following week.

Homework-  Nothing new, but only half the class has printed their blocks.  Finish them as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 11/1/12-  We will return to our study of color.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, all your acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.  Also bring scissors and glue.

10/18/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we began our study of color, which will be part of almost everything we do for the rest of the semester.  We looked at slides from cave paintings to comic books, and we discussed the evolution of color technology, and the functions of color in two dimensional art.  After that the class did a series of exercise involving basic color theory and color mixing.

How to make this up-  Students completed three color related exercises.  First was a color wheel with primary, secondary, and intermediate colors.  Second was a mix of complementary colors and resulting neutrals.  Third was taking a color through a series of tints and shades.  Above is an example from a previous semester.  Additional examples and the full instructions can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises, and must be completed by the end of the semester to receive full credit.

Homework-  Nothing new, but the woodblock project begun last week is due at the beginning of class next week, October 25, 2012.  I'll bring the ink and tools needed to print them.

For next class 10/25/12-  While the class is collectively working on some portfolio exercises involving text as a visual element, I will help individual students to print their woodcut blocks.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, and black permanent and fine point markers.

10/11/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Today we began the design oriented part of the semester with a project in black and white composition, in the form of a book illustration done in woodcut.  I showed slides of the history of printmaking over the past several hundred years, including some contemporary artists.  Then I distributed pieces of wood and had the students work on their ideas.  Later in the evening I did a demonstration of safe and effective methods for cutting images into wood with an x-acto knife.

How to make this up-  You won't be able to start the block until you get a piece of wood from me, but meanwhile you can work on your design.  The image will be 8" x 6", and can be vertical or horizontal, as in the student examples above and below.  I suggest working out multiple ideas in order to be able to choose the best one.  Consider how the image carries the narrative of your chosen literary source, and the pattern and balance of black and white shapes that you use.  I can look over the results in class next week and make suggestions.  Additional student examples and all the details of the project can be found here.

Homework- The completed carved woodblock is due at the beginning of class on October 25, 2012.  I will provide the ink and printing tools to help you print your block.  Those who still owe me their stipple drawing should try to turn them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/18/12- We will begin our study of color, which will be used most weeks after that.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, acrylic paints (red/yellow/blue/black/white), brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.

10/4/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we concluded the basic drawing portion of the semester with an evening of value drawing.  I showed a few dozen slides of art from antiquity to the present, discussing in each case what role the value played (describing surfaces, implying volume and space, focusing attention, etc).  Also a few slides of advanced student charcoal drawings. Then students drew with charcoal from a simple still life, matching the size, shape, location, and value of the objects.

How to make this up-  Everyone was in attendance tonight, so there is no need for making it up.  However, if want to relive the experience, instructions for doing it again can be found here.

This was a portfolio exercise, so it won't be collected for an individual grade, but hold onto it for the end of the semester portfolio.

Homework- Nothing new, but a few people still owe be the stipple drawing or the plant drawing,   They should be turned in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/11/12- Next week we enter the design portion of the semester.  We will begin a graded project in the form of a black and white book illustration from a literary source of your choice.  The source can be fiction or non-fiction, novel, short story, poem, etc, however nothing that is already fully illustrated, no fairy tales, children's or young adult books.  The medium will be a wood block print.  Come to class with an idea of what source you wish to use, and a copy of it if possible.  You can think about ideas, but you may find it useful to see the examples I show in class next week before designing your own.  Bring some kind of paper for sketching (a sketchbook will be fine, but you can use your 18" x 24" pad if you prefer), pencil and eraser, black markers, and x-acto knife.  I will provide the wood and demonstrate how to safely and most effectively cut your design into the block.

9/27/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we opened with a group critique of the stipple drawings, which were also graded and returned.  The rest of the class period was devoted to working on our second graded project of the semester, our final line drawing.

How to make this up-  For the subject you will have to provide a large leafy potted plant.  You will do a pencil line drawing of the plant at 100% scale, as much of it will fit on a page in your 18"x 24" pad, like the one shown above.  Full instructions and additional student examples can be found here.

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

Homework- Nothing new, but those who still owe me either the stipple drawing or the plant drawing should get them done as soon as possible.  The longer the delay, the fewer points they will be worth.

For next class 10/4/12-  We will finish the basic drawing portion of the semester with an exercise in value drawing.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, either charcoal or black conte crayon, appropriate eraser, and any blending tools you might like, along with spray fixative if you have it.