2D Design Color Theory and Mixing

Today's class- The above image shows the color mixing exercises. Do the following-

1) Color Wheel- Draw a circle in pencil. Draw 3 boxes on the rim, equally spaced apart, half the box inside the circle, half outside. These will be for the primary colors (red, yellow, blue). Put one in each box- full strength outside the circle, mixed with white inside. Next, draw 3 similar boxes on the rim, halfway between the primary colors. These will be for the secondary colors (orange, green, violet). Again, full strenth outside the circle, mixed with white inside. Mix the secondary colors from the primary colors that you have, and place them in the proper positions. Last, make 6 more boxes, between each of the primary and secondary colors. These will be the intermediate colors, each mixed from a primary and secondary. (blue-green, red-violet, yellow-orange, etc). No need to mix white with these.

2) Complement mixes- Draw the set of 8 boxes seen on the right- a row of 5 and an adjacent row of 3. Pick a pair of complementary colors- either red/green or blue/orange. Put the primary of the pair in the first of 5 boxes, the secondary in the last box. The middle box should be an even mix of primary and secondary- add white and put it in the middle of 3 boxes right next to it. In the second box put a mix of mostly the primary and little of the secondary, then a mix with white in the box next to it. In the fourth box, mostly secondary with a little bit of the primary, and the tint with white.

3) Tints and shades- Draw a row of 15 boxes, like the row at the bottom of the page. In the middle box (#8) put either red or blue, straight from the tube. In one direction, gradually add white until the last box is white with just a hint of the color. In the other direction, gradually add black.

2/25/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides covering the history of printmaking, including woodcut, intaglio, and silkscreen. We also reviewed and returned the research assignments, as well as looking at the students' photo assignment results. Last, we began a new project involving another print process, the collograph, an example of which is seen above. To learn more about what is involved, click here.

Homework- The completed collograph plate is due at the beginning of class on April 8, 2008. Those who still owe me their research assignment should bring it as soon as possible- for every week it's late, more points are deducted from the grade.

For next class 4/1/08- We will be beginning the first graded art project of semester. Bring your pad, pencil, eraser, and pastels.

3/11/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started our study of color, looking at the history of color in art from cave paintings through contemporary art, as well as its uses in graphic design (such as the image above). We also went to see the student art show in the gallery. We would have started doing some exercises in color mixing after that, except that the campus was evacuated because of a bomb threat, causing us to miss the last 2.5 hours of class time.

Homework- The completed woodblock projects are due at the beginning of class on March 25.

For the next class (3/25/08) Bring your finished block, pad of paper, markers, pencil, and all the painting stuff (acrylics, brushes, palette, palette knife). We will continue the study of color and print the blocks. Enjoy your spring break.

3/11/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we discussed the idea of rhythm in visual art. This can take the form of movement and flow in a composition, or be related to patterns. We looked at slides from the history of art that showed different kinds of visual rhythm, then we did a series of abstract paintings based on music I played for the students.

How to make this up- The details of the assignment, and how you can make this up on your own, can be found by clicking here. It is a portfolio assignment, so due at the end of the semester.

Homework- The prints from the photo assignment are due at our next class meeting on March 25. Those who have not yet turned in their research assignments should get them to me as soon as possible. Each week that it's late is more of a grade deduction.

For the next class (3/25/08)- We will start a collograph print project. Bring materials with interesting textures (natural and/or manufactured) that you don't mind cutting up or gluing to a surface. Enjoy your spring break.

3/4/08 2D Design

Today's class- Tonight I distributed the wood blocks, advised students on the compositions, and demonstrated safe cutting techniques. I also graded and returned last week's charcoal drawing projects. To see more images and learn more details regarding the woodcut project, click here.

Homework- You cannot start the cutting without a piece of wood, which I can get you next week in class. Until then, all you can do is work up an 8"x6" sketch. The finished cut block is due at the beginning of class on March 25.

For next week- We will begin our study of color. Bring with you the acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container, pencil and eraser, and 18"x24" pad of paper.

3/4/08 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today I showed slides covering the history of photography, from 1826 to the present. I distributed and reviewed a photo assignment that students will complete on their own time, using any kind of camera (film, digital). To see the details, click here.

We also took a tour of the whole art building, seeing and discussing the kinds of classes that are available. We ended up at the student show in the Howe Gallery downstairs, where we saw examples of art from students in all the different classes.

Homework- The photo assignment is due at the beginning of class on March 25. And remember that the research assignment is due at the beginning of class on March 11.

For next week's class- We will be using the watercolors again, so bring your paints, brushes, palettes, and pad of 18"x24" paper.