2/24/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we looked at monumental art, which I am defining as large scale art that is usually part of the architecture of a building. We looked at examples from prehistoric cave painting to the contemporary, including a video showing the steps in creating a large outdoor mural from start to finish. Then while students worked on the day's art project I reviewed preparations for the research paper with those who needed it.

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How to make this up- Today's project was a mosaic style collage, an example of which can be seen above. For additional student examples and specific details, click here. This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up before the end of the semester.

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Homework- The research assignments are due at the beginning of class next week, March 3, 2010.

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For next class 3/3/10- We will begin our study of color with some basic color theory. Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, watercolor paints, brushes, mixing palette and a water container.

2/17/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we discussed the artistic concept of value, a term used to describe the relative lightness or darkness of elements in a composition. Value can be used to increase the illusion of space and/or volume in a two dimensional work. We looked at slides of art from antiquity to the present, seeing how value has been used over the years as a formal element. For today's art project, we did a portfolio exercise in charcoal drawing.

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How to make this up- To learn the specific details of today's art project, click here. This is a portfolio exercise that must be made up by the end of the semester.

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Homework- The research assignment is due at the beginning of class on March 3, 2010. Students who haven't yet provided me with a list of artists and artworks that they intend to use for their paper are advised to do so soon, either by e-mail or bringing them to class next week.

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For next class 2/24/10- We will do a portfolio exercise in the form of a mosaic collage. Bring your 18"x24" inch pad, pencil and eraser, scissors, and glue. You can bring in old magazines to cut up, or make use of ones I'll provide.

2/10/10 Intro to Art Snow Day

By now you all know that the university cancelled all classes today, so no meeting this week. Next Wednesday we will do what we would have done today, so bring the 18"x24" pad, drawing charcoal, and kneaded eraser. In class next week I'll let you know how this will affect the rest of the week by week schedule for projects. Deadlines for the research assignment remain the same, list of artists/artworks/book due 2/17/10, and the research paper to be turned in 3/3/10.

2/3/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we started by distributing and reviewing the research assignment. Students were shown slides of all the various periods of western art, and then chose their topics.

After that we did some drawing exercises involving the use of negative space. The first involved students drawing the spaces between all the wooden parts of a chair (top photo) which results in the form of the chair being revealed. The second exercise (bottom photo) involved drawing a still life group of bottles, drawing the positive bottle shapes but using the negative spaces between them to help with spacing, proportion, and making sure that the shapes were accurate. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- The list of 3 artists and an artwork for each one, as well as at least one book that you will use for your research assignment are due February 17, 2010. The research assignment itself is due March 3, 2010. Those who do not yet have their topics can contact me for options or choose something in class next week.

For next class 2/10/10- We will explore value (light, dark, shadow) using charcoal. Bring your 18"x24" pad, drawing charcoal, and a kneaded eraser. Charcoal tends to be very messy, so you are advised not to wear anything white to class that day.