Tuesday 9/25/07 2D Design

Today's class- The beginning of our study of line. After reviewing slides showing the varied uses of line in art from prehistoric to the present, we did a series of exercises using contour line (exterior, cross contour, blind contour), the subject being shoes. After the break we used the line in a study of negative space, drawing the empty spaces in a chair, then a still life set up of bottles (using negative space to find relative space and scale of the bottles).

Homework- The dot value project started in class last week is due at the beginning of class on October 2.

For next week's class (10/2/07) Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencils, eraser. We will do a graded line still life project.

Tuesday, 9/25/07 Intro to Art

Today's Class- We started with the distribution of the research assignment. We reviewed slides from a variety of historical periods in Western art, from the Renaissance to the the present to give the class an idea of the various possible choices. Students drew for draft position and picked from the list of periods.

List of 3 artists and artworks, and book about your topic- due October 9

Final research paper- due October 23

For the day's art project, we dealt with the concept of negative space. First we drew all the empty spaces within a wooden chair. I set up the chair as shown in the top photo. Students were asked to draw the spaces surrounded by wood, but not the wood itself or the space around the chair. In the second photo, that is the blue color areas, but not the wood of the chair or the tan areas. Draw the shapes with pencil line, but don't fill in the shapes. The students spent about 30 minutes on it.

The second art project was a still life line drawing, from a group of 6 bottles. Students drew the bottles in pencil, using negative space to help locate the relative positions and scale of the bottles. This also was done for about 30 minutes.

Homework- see above about research assignment.

For next week's class (10/2/07) Bring your 18"x24" pad, charcoal and kneaded eraser, as we begin our study of value.

2D Design- Stipple Value Drawing Project

Today's Class- We started working with dots. First was an exercise involving designing wallpaper patterns with dots.

Then we began the first major graded project of the semester, a stipple drawing based on a black and white photo. Students started with a photo (either brought in by them or found in the pile of magazines I brought in), selected a square portion of it, and sketched it in pencil in a 6" square. (if you wish to do a rectangular drawing, the short side must be at least 6 ") After the pencil sketch was finished, students started adding dots with the ultra fine point marker to create value shapes that match the values found in the original photo. There are 3 examples above- the top is my example (original photo from album cover on left, my drawing on the right), the other two are from former students. (click the photos to enlarge) The primary criteria I will use for grading these is how well the student matches the various value shapes, not how well the student reproduces the subject of the photo. However, the better the pencil sketch at matching the photo shapes, the easier it will be to match the values. The other thing I will be grading on is consistency, meaning that any similar values in the photo should be treated the same in the drawing.

Contour Line Exercises

This portfolio exercise is done in my Intro to Art, 2D Design, and Drawing I classes, so this information applies to all of them.

Today's Class- In class today we started by looking at slides of artwork that made use of the various aspects of line- work that ranged from prehistoric cave paintings, to ancient Greek and Egyptian art, to paintings, drawings and prints from the Rennaissance through the present.

We then did a series of exercises using contour lines, taking shoes as the subject. To make up this portfolio exercise, you should do the following:

A) Exterior Contour- A single line that forms the outline of the object. Draw the silhoutte of the shoe in one unbroken line, as in the examples above. Pay attention to the various proportions of the shoes, as well as curves and angles of all parts. Do as many as you want in 30 minutes.

B) Cross Contour Lines- These are series of curved and/or straight lines that are used by the artist to imply 3D form and the movement over a curved surface. Not necessarily based on actual structures, but lines invented by the artist. Students spent 30 minutes doing one cross contour drawing like the one above.

C) Blind Contour- A drawing completed by looking only at the subject, but not at the paper and the drawing in progress. Let your eye move slowly around the edge of the shoe, moving the pencil to match. (see examples above) Do as many as you want in 10 minutes.

Final Shoe Drawing- Using all the skills developed so far, do one last line drawing of the shoe. You may include interior, surface structures (such as laces, stitching, seams, etc). Use cross contour to whatever extent helps. Spend 30 minutes doing the one shoe drawing.

Tuesday 9/11/07 2D Design

Today's class- This evening the syllabus and course outline were distributed to the class and reviewed. The students completed a survey regarding their art experiences.

Homework- None

For Next Class (September 18, 2007) Bring your large 18"x24" pad, pencils, eraser, ultra fine point marker, and large permanent marker. We will begin a project based on a black and white photograph. If you have one you'd like to work from, bring it in. I will bring in some as well for students to use.

Tuesday 9/11/07 Intro to Art

Today's class- In class this afternoon the syllabus and course outline were distributed and reviewed. The class filled out a survey relating to art experiences.

Homework- None

For Next Class (9/18/07)- Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, paper for our first exploration of line.

Welcome to the Fall 2007 Semester

Welcome to the blog I've set up for my class sections.

The blog will be for both classes. To make it easier to find what you're looking for, the entries will be color coded. The posts intended for my Intro to Art class (FA 1000 Sec 14, 12:30-3:20) will use red text. The posts for my 2D Design class (FA 1100 Sec 3, 5:00-10:20) will use blue text. Posts that apply to both classes will be with black text. About a months worth of posts will be available on the main page, while earlier posts can be accessed by using the blog archive on the right.

Most weeks I will post the information for the classes either late that evening or sometime on Wednesday. The heading for the post will contain the date and name of the class. I will include what we did in class that day, what (if any) homework has been assigned, and what art materials are needed for the next class. When applicable, photos of examples of current projects and assignments will be included.

Certainly this is a good place to stop by should you miss a class, but it's also available for anyone who needs a reminder about due dates for projects and what you need for the next class. Most of the questions that students typically have will be available to you 24/7, without having to wait for a reply e-mail. Should you have further questions, the best procedure is to e-mail me directly rather than post comments.

See you tomorrow.