2/28/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we discussed the use of value in two dimensional art. We looked at slides of historical art from Ancient Rome through the present, seeing the many ways that artists have used light and shadow to imply space, form, and volume, to create drama, and to focus attention. We then did two portfolio exercises involving using different types of charcoal to draw from a still life. The class also visited the student art show in the Howe Gallery on the first floor of our building.

How to make this up- To see additional student examples and learn the full instructions for completing the drawings, click here. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester in order to receive credit, however if you have little or no charcoal drawing experience, I recommend you do them this week for practice, before next Monday's graded drawing.

Homework- Nothing new, but those who still owe me the stipple drawing and/or the pencil line still life should turn them in as soon as possible.

For next class 3/7/11- We will continue working with charcoal, doing a graded project charcoal still life drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, vine or compressed charcoal (your choice), kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.

2/23/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we spent the day considering the artistic concept of value, meaning using light and dark in a two dimensional image to imply and simulate three dimensional form, volumes, and space. We looked at slides from Ancient Rome to the present, seeing how artists use value in flat works, and a few slides of student charcoal drawings, similar to the photo above. Then after the break I set up a still life of all white objects, lit with a directional light to create patterns of light and shadow, and had students attempt their own charcoal drawings.

How to make this up- Specific directions for the assignment and an additional student example can be found here. This is a portfolio assignment and must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- Nothing new, but about half the class has yet to clear their choices for artists and artworks to use for their research assignment. If you do not get my approval first, you will be responsible if who/what you write about is inappropriate for your topic. The actual paper itself is due at the beginning of class on March 9, 2011.

For next class 3/2/11- We will start our study of color. Bring your 18"x 24" pad, watercolors, brushes, pencil and eraser, mixing palette, and some kind of water container (cup, can, etc).

2/16/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we discussed the concept of negative space in two dimensional art- the relationship of the space around and between objects in the image to the objects that seem to be the subject(s) of the work. We also visited the current show in the Howe Gallery down the hall, featuring art from Kean University students.

How to make this up- We did two exercises, spending about 30 minutes on each. The first involved drawing the empty spaces within a wooden chair, the second drawing a still life of bottles (see above photo). For more examples and the specific details, click here. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the year to receive credit.

Homework- The list of artists and artworks for your research assignment should be turned in by next week- February 23, 2011.

Extra Credit- In class today I offered an opportunity for my Intro to Art students to get some extra credit for the semester and at the same time make up one of the recent weeks that we lost to winter weather. Below is an example of a mosaic collage (original photo on left, student copy made from small cut pieces of colorful magazine paper on the right)

Full details and additional student examples can be found here. (ignore the first paragraph, which relates to the missed class, and see the instructions in the 2nd paragraph) The extra credit assignment can be turned in any time, but must be completed by the beginning of the last class of the semester to receive credit. It will be worth up to 10 percent added to your final grade, depending on the quality of the piece- copy of composition, complete image, color matching, etc.

For next class 2/23/11- Next class we will start our study of value (light and shadow) using charcoal. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, either vine or compressed charcoal, and a kneaded eraser. Charcoal is messy, so I recommend not wearing anything light colored to class.

2/14/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today the class opened with a critique of the stipple drawings, which were later graded and returned. The rest of the class was devoted to a new graded project, a pencil line still life, like in the example above from a previous semester.

How to make this up- Full directions as to how to complete this assignment can be found here. This is a graded project that should be completed as soon as possible. Like all graded projects, the longer it is late, the lower the grade will be.

Homework- Nothing new, but some students still owe stipple drawings.

******University is closed next Monday February 21 for President's Day*******

For next class 2/28/11- We will start our study of value with a few days of charcoal drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, a kneaded eraser, and spray fixative. Charcoal is very messy, so I recommend against wearing white or light colored clothing.

2/9/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- The skies were clear, the roads dry, so we finally were able to hold our first full class of the semester. We had a lot of business to take care of. I distributed and went over the museum assignment. After looking at slide examples of art movements of the past six centuries, students selected topics for their research assignments. Then we looked at slides of art that made use of line, from prehistoric cave paintings to contemporary art, and after the break, did some drawing exercises.

How to make this up- The drawing exercises involved doing a series of pencil line drawings from shoes provided by each student. Examples of each exercise and the full instructions can be found here. These are portfolio exercises, and must be made up by the last day of class to receive credit.

Research Assignment- In class today students drew numbers for draft positions, then in that order selected specific art movements from the history of western art to be the focus of their research assignment. Those who missed class today can get a copy of the assignment in class next week, however they can choose topics before then if they want. The following topics are still available:

Northern Renaissance 15th & 16th centuries

Italian Baroque 17th century

Portraiture 18th century

Romanticism 19th century

German Expressionism 20th century

Dada 20th century

To select a topic before next week, e-mail me with your top 2 choices in order. The first e-mail received will get priority if two students choose the same topics. I'll reply to confirm the topic. Or, if you prefer, just pick your topic in class next week.

Homework- The list of 3 chosen artists, 1 artwork from each, and at least one book that you plan to use in your research, should be brought in by February 23, 2011. Students who don't get their artists and artworks approved by me in advance will be responsible if they do not choose appropriately for their topic. The paper itself is due at the beginning of class on March 9, 2011.

For next class 2/16/11- Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser. We will be doing more drawing exercises involving pencil line.

2/7/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started our study of line. I began with a slide show of images from prehistory through the late 20th century, discussing the use of line in each case. After that the class did a series of exercises about contour line and the idea of negative space in drawing.

How to make this up- Students who missed today's class should make up the following exercises in order to receive credit.

Contour Line- We did a series of drawing exercises taking shoes as the subject, exploring exterior contour, cross contour, and blind contour drawing. Below are some student examples. For the full details and more examples of the exercise, click here.

Negative Space- After the lunch break the class did a couple of drawing exercise involving the concept of negative space, as shown below. For the full details and more examples, click here.

Today's work was all portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- The stipple drawing begun in class last week is due at the beginning of class February 14, 2011.

For next class 2/14/11- We will complete a graded project involving line. Bring your 18" x 24" paper, pencils, and eraser. Also bring your completed dot drawing and the original photo that was your source for the image.

2/2/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- By now you should know that I decided by around 9:00 am this morning to cancel today's class meeting. I really do not like to cancel class meetings, especially because this means losing two weeks in a row, but after looking at weather and traffic reports beginning at 6:00 this morning, I felt that this was for the best for everyone, at least everyone who commutes. Things were just starting to change over to rain, but as I made the decision an Ice Storm Warning was still in effect and roads were still dangerous, all NJ Transit trains were either late or suspended, multiple regional highways were partially or completely blocked by downed trees and power lines or storm related flooding, and parts of Union County were without electricity. Things were expected to improve by our expected start time, but without knowing for sure, I decided that conditions were not worth the risk when there's plenty of time left in the semester to make up the missed work.

How to make this up- I will look at the course outline and let everyone know in class next week what adjustments will be made to the original plan from the syllabus.

Homework- None, but anyone who has not yet purchases the photocopied packet produced by the department for this class should bring $3 to purchase one from me next week.

For next class 2/9/11- Once again we will try to do the Contour line exercise that was originally planned for Week 2. So bring your 18" x 24" pad of drawing paper, pencils and eraser. You will also need a shoe to draw from, so either bring an extra one with you or be prepared to remove one from your own foot.

We will also discuss the museum assignment (due by the end of the semester) and the research assignment that was to have been distributed today.