2/24/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Tonight we looked at examples of monumental art, which I defined as two dimensional art that is designed on a large scale and can cover walls, floors, and ceilings. Most of these were frescos and mosaics. We also looked at a short video showing the process of painting a modern mural. Today's art project was a mosaic style collage inspired by a magazine photo and made of other magazine paper, an example of which can be seen above. Details as to how to complete this assignment, and further student examples, can be found here.

Homework- Those who have not yet provided me with their list of artists and artworks for their research paper should get them to me as soon as possible, either by e-mail or in class next week. The paper itself is due in 2 weeks, at the beginning of class on March 10, 2009.

For next class 3/3/09- We will be beginning our study of color. Bring all the materials related to painting- watercolor paints, brushes, mixing palette, water container, as well as your 18"x24" pad, pencil, and eraser.

2/23/09 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we began by critiquing the dot drawings. Then we finished our study of line with a graded project- a contour line still life with a variety of objects.

How to make this up- Those who missed class today need to make this project up as soon as possible. The specifics of the assignment can be found here.

Homework- Nothing new, but those who have not yet turned in the dot drawing or today's line drawing should turn them in next week.

For next class 3/2/09- We will begin our study of value drawing. Bring your 18"x24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, and kneaded eraser. Spray fixative is recommended as well.

2/17/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Tonight we looked at slides with examples of art from antiquity through the present, with a focus on value, the use of light and dark to create the illusion of volume and space. Then we did a charcoal value drawing based on a still life set up.

How to make this up- To learn what you need to do to make up this exercise, click here. This is a portfolio exercise, so it must be completed by the end of the semester.

Homework- The list of artists and artworks for your research assignment should be brought to class next week, along with a book that you'll use as part of the research.

For next class 2/24/09- Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, eraser, scissors, and glue, and some old magazines that you don't mind cutting up, if you have some you can bring in.

2/10/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Tonight we reviewed the museum assignment, then the research assignment. After that we did two exercises that make use of negative space. To learn how to make up tonight's drawing exercises, click here. To learn the specifics fo the museum assignment, click here.

Research Assignment- Students drew numbers for a hat for draft positions, and picked from the list of topics. Those who missed class need to choose their topics. This can be done by e-mail or in class next week. The following topics are still available:
Northern Renaissance
Dutch Baroque
18th Century Portraiture
Neoclassical Art and Architecture
Academic Art (19th century)
American Realism of the 20th Century
Political Art
German Expressionism
Dada
New Objectivity (Germany, 1920's)

If you wish to pick one by e-mail, send me your two top choices. The first person to contact me gets his first choice. The second person gets first pick of whatever remains. The assignment is to choose 3 prominent artists from your assigned period in western art, and analyze one artwork by each, in addition to answering some general questions about the particular art movement. The specifics of the assignment are available on a handout that you can get at the next class.

List of 3 artists and artworks is due on February 24. Research Assignment is due on March 10.

For next class 2/17/09- Bring your 18"x24" drawing pad, drawing charcoal, and kneaded eraser. We will begin our study of value.

2/9/09 2D Design

Today's class - Today we started our study of line. We looked at slides showing the use of line through the history of art. After that, we did some exercises in contour line drawing involving shoes. We had a lunch break, then did some exercises involving negative space.

How to make this up- Details about the contour line exercise can be found here. Details about the negative space exercises can be found here. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester, though to get the most benefit from the exercises, they should be done now rather than later.

Homework- The dot (stipple) drawing begun in class last week is due at our next class meeting on February 23, 2009.

Reminder- School is closed for President's Day on Feb 16th. No class.

For next class 2/23/09- Bring your completed dot drawing and the original photo. These will be critiqued. Also bring your 18"x24" drawing pad, pencil, and eraser. We will do a graded project involving line.

2/3/09 Intro to Art

Class for today, Feb 3, 2009 is cancelled. The snow is not too bad yet, but it will be much worse by the evening (especially down in the part of the state that I live in), and I think we'd all be better off not coming in. Everyone will be e-mailed as well.

Same materials for next week- 18x24 pad, pencils, eraser.

2/2/09 2D Design

Today's Class- Today I distributed the museum assignment, then we did an exercise and started a graded project involving dots. For the details of how to make up the dot project, click here.

Homework- The stipple drawing (dot project) started today is due at the beginning of class on February 23, 2009.

Next Class 2/9/09- We will start our study of line. Bring your 18"x24" pad of drawing paper, pencils, eraser. Some of those exercises will involve shoes. As I may not be able to provide a shoe to everyone, students should be prepared to provide their own, either bringing an extra or taking one off their feet.