3/31/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at printmaking, a general category for art that is typically created in multiple exact copies from a fixed matrix, such as a carved wood block, an etched piece of copper, or a prepared silk screen. We looked at slides covering the history of printmaking from the Renaissance through contemporary art. Then students made collograph plates that will be printed in class at a later date.

How to make this up- Above are examples of printed student collograph prints. All are to be printed with black ink, though students have the option of adding color as in the second example. Full details as to how to create your own collograph plate can be found here. All the materials you need can be found around your home.

Homework- The completed collograph plate is due at the beginning of class on April 14, 2010. At that date the plates will be printed in class with ink and tools that I'll provide. The photography assignment that was distributed last week is also due in class on April 14, 2010.

For next class April 7, 2010- We will be starting the first individually graded art project of the semester. Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil and eraser, and your pastels.

Drive By Press Coming To Kean

The Fine Arts department at Kean will be hosting visiting artists Drive By Press on Monday March 29th and Tuesday March 30th. They are traveling printmakers, who ride around the country with a press in a truck doing printmaking events. As of now both days will be in VE 209 (down the hall from our classroom), but if conditions allow the Monday session to move outdoors, details will be posted on the door of 209.

On Monday they will be on campus from 9:30 to 3:00. They will be set up to do production- able to print any of their large collection of blocks onto t-shirts (bring your own or buy one from them) for a small fee, as well as talking about printmaking in general.

On Tuesday they will be doing a more traditional talk in VE 209, showing examples from their huge collection of prints and doing more printing if time allows. That will be from 5 to 8 pm. Photos from their last campus visit are seen below.

If you are going to be on campus during either of those times, I strongly recommend that you check it out. It's a unique opportunity to see some very interesting contemporary art.

3/24/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at the art of photography, beginning with early 1800's experiments through today, and showing some of the many ways it has been used during that time. I distributed a photo based assignment for the students to do on their own time. We also took a tour of the building, visiting most of the studios, and seeing the current Student Art Show.

How to make this up- The full details of the assignment are available on a handout I can give you in class next week. If you don't want to wait until then, or have misplaced your copy, the assignment and some student examples can be found here.

Homework- The photo assignment, including printed versions of all 20 photos, is due at the beginning of class on April 14, 2010.

I absolutely recommend going to see the visiting artists Drive By Press when they visit campus on Monday March 29th and Tuesday March 30th. I'll be posting details on the blog over the next few days.

For next class 3/31/10- We will be doing a printmaking related project, creating a collograph plate. Bring glue and scissors, and any found objects (natural or artificial) that have interesting textures and you don't mind cutting up and gluing. You can leave the big pad at home.

3/10/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we looked at the concept of rhythm as a visual element, in art from the Renaissance to the present. We then did an exercise in abstract painting based on the rhythms of various instrumental musics. We also reviewed the various art historical periods researched by the students and the papers were returned.

How to make this up- The full details of how to make up this assignment can be found here. The description includes 5 types of music. Choose 4 of them to do. This is a portfolio exercise that must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- Anyone who still hasn't turned in their research paper should do so next class. Each week that goes by lowers the grade it will get.

******* SPRING BREAK ********

**MARCH 15th to MARCH 19th**

For next class 3/24/10- We will discuss photography, and I'll give a take home assignment. After that we will likely participate in a special visiting artist event. You may leave all your art materials at home.

3/3/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we continued our study of color. We started by looking at slides of art from prehistory to the late 20th century with a focus on the development of color pigments and changes in how artists used color. We then began a portfolio exercise in basic color theory.

How to make this up- Above is an example of the two part exercise- a color wheel with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and mixing two complementary colors to create neutrals. There are too many steps in the process to list them all here, so I will make a handout available to students next week. It's a portfolio exercise, so it must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- Those who have not yet turned in their research assignment should bring it next week. Each week it is late means more points off.

For next class 3/10/10- We will continue our study of color. Bring back all the painting materials- 18"x24" pad, watercolor paints, brushes, palette, and some kind of water container.