9/30/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at the formal art property of value, defined as the relative lightness or darkness of elements in a work of art. Proper use of value can add to the illusion of space and volume in a 2D artwork. We looked at slides of art from antiquity to the present, then did a portfolio exercise in value drawing, as in the example above. We also visited the gallery to see the Fine Arts Adjunct Exhibition.

How to make this up- To learn the details as to how to make up this exercise, click here. This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- The list of artists and artworks and book for your research assignment is due in class next week, October 7, 2009.

For next class 10/7/09- Bring your 18"x24" pad of paper, pencil and eraser, scissors and glue. We will be doing a collage type project. If you have any old magazines that you don't mind cutting up, you can bring them in. I will have some magazines for you to go through as well.

9/23/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today I distributed the research assignment to the class, showed slide examples of the various art movements to the class, and the students chose topics based on a randomly assigned order. After that we did some drawing exercises involving negative space. We did a negative space drawing of a chair and used negative space to help find spacing, proportions, shapes, and locations in a still life drawing of bottles. These were both portfolio exercises.

Homework- The list of 3 artists, an artwork from each, and an example of book to be used in the research of your chosen topic is due in class on October 7, 2009. The completed paper is due at the beginning of class on October 21, 2009.

For next class 9/30/09- We will start our study of value. Bring your 18"x24" pad of drawing paper, drawing charcoal, and a kneaded eraser. This can be messy, so you are advised not to wear light colors to class that day.

9/16/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we reviewed the museum assignment due by the end of the semester. Then we looked at slides of examples of line from prehistoric cave paintings through the 20th century. For today's studio project we did some exercises in contour drawing involving shoes.

Homework- none, but if you missed today's class, the information as to how to make it up is found here.

For next class 9/23/09- I will distribute the research assignment, then we will continue our study of line. Bring your 18"x24" pad of drawing paper, pencils, and eraser.

9/09/09 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today was the first day of class. The syllabus was distributed and reviewed. The course outline was also distributed and the class completed a survey about their art experiences.

Homework- none

For the next class 9/16/09- Bring your 18"x24" drawing pad, pencils, and eraser. The subject will be shoes. You may want to bring an extra shoe with you to draw, or you can take a chance I'll find some in the prop closet, or you can use one that you are wearing.

Those who didn't buy the photocopied book should bring $3 next week to purchase one.

Welcome to the Fall 2009 Semester

I will be using this blog each week to post information about the classes I teach here at Kean. This semester I have two sections of FA 1000 (Intro to Art) that meet on the same day, so each week's entry applies to both classes unless I state otherwise.

For each week I will post a description of what was done in class that day, with full directions as to how to make up the assignment. When available and applicable I will have photos of student projects from previous semesters to show successful examples and what the end results should be. Any homework and due dates will be listed under the day's entry as well. In addition, I'll list what materials will be needed for the following week's class. I'll have about a month's worth of postings available on the main page, and previous dates are available through the archives on the right.

The main purpose of this blog is for students who missed class for whatever reason, so that they may make up the work missed before they return to class. However, stop by here also if you need a reminder of when a project is due, or what materials you need next, etc. These used to be the most common e-mail questions I got from students. Now you can get the answers to these questions 24/7 without having to wait for me to reply to an e-mail. Of course, if you have any further questions regarding an assignment you are welcome to contact me via e-mail. Don't bother to leave comments here, as I won't be on the blog between classes.