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.