3/30/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we discussed the idea of printmaking, the category that includes all art made using such processes as woodcut, etching, engraving, lithography, silkscreen, monotype, and collagraph. I showed slides of the history of printmaking from the Renaissance to the present, from east and west. After the break, the class started a new portfolio exercise related to printmaking. We also saved some time at the end of class to look at results from the photography assignment.

How to make this up- You will need to create a collagraph plate, which is made by attaching various materials with different textures to a flat surface. A piece of cardboard about 8"x 10" (the large side of a cereal box will do) can be your base. Create a representational design (person, object, scene, etc) out of attached materials (natural or manufactured) and glue them to the cardboard. There must be at least 8 different textures represented in the attached materials. Above are two examples of printed collagraphs, and below are an example of a collagraph plate and the resulting print. Note the mirror image reversal of the print. For more information and details, click here.

Homework- The collagraph plate is due at the beginning of class on April 13, 2011. At that time I will bring materials necessary to print them in class.

If you have not yet made your museum visit, I suggest you do it soon. That paper must be turned in by the last day of class to receive credit.

For next class 4/6/11- We will start our first individually graded project of the semester. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil, eraser, and pastels.

3/28/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we began our study of color. After slides of art from cave paintings to comic books and a discussion of the evolution of the technology and use of color in art, the class completed 3 exercises in basic color theory and color mixing.

How to make this up- The assignment consists of 3 parts, as seen in the examples above- a color wheel, a complement color mix, and a series of tints and shades. Full directions about how to complete these exercises can be found here. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- The completed woodcut project started last week is due at the beginning of class on April 4, 2011.

For next class 4/4/11- We will print the woodcut blocks and start a new graded project related to color temperature. Bring your 18"x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container, scissors, and glue.

3/23/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Despite threats of snow, school was open today and almost everyone made it to class. We started by looking at examples of art from each student's research assignment, so we could discuss some of the things that were learned. After that we looked at examples of rhythm and movement in art, considering how artists make use of it to reinforce themes in the work. Then we did a series of abstract paintings influenced by different kinds of music.

How to make this up- To complete this assignment you will need your watercolors, brushes, palette, and water container. The class did a total of 4 paintings, each filling one page of your 18"x 24" paper. Full details, including more student examples and the types of music involved, can be found here. There are 5 options, of which you should choose 4 to do. This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- Those people who have not yet turned in their research assignments should do so as soon as possible. The more weeks it is late, the fewer points it will be worth.

The photography assignment is due at the beginning of class on March 30, 2011.

For next class 3/30/11- We will start a printmaking project, creating a collagraph plate. It's a type of printing in which the plate is made by gluing a variety of materials to a flat surface. I will bring a bag full of stuff, but students are also encouraged to bring natural and/or manufactured materials from home, things you don't mind cutting up and gluing. Also bring scissors and glue. We will also look at the results of the photo assignment.

3/21/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started by discussing compositional strategies, looking at examples of two dimensional art from the renaissance to the present. I distributed pieces of wood to all students present and gave a demonstration of safe and effective cutting techniques. The rest of the class period was devoted to working on the woodcut project, with students sketching designs on paper, then drawing the best idea on the plywood, and in most cases, beginning the cutting of their blocks. At the end of the day, the graded charcoal drawings from our last meeting were returned.

How to make this up- Students who missed today can't start working on their block until they get a piece of wood from me, but they can work out the design for the woodcut on paper. The image should be 6" x 8" (can be vertical or horizontal). You must illustrate your chosen literary work in some way, such as specific scene or something that sums up the whole book. The illustration must be representational but does not have to be realistic. Full details can be seen here. Above are the woodcut prints produced by last semester's 2D class.

Homework- The completed wood blocks are due at the beginning of class on April 4, 2011. I will help everyone print their blocks at that time. Those who still owe me back projects, such as the charcoal drawings done at our last meeting, should finish and turn them in as soon as possible.

For next class 3/28/11- We will begin our study of color. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container (cup, can, etc), and pencil and eraser.

3/9/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today's topic was photography. I showed slides of the history of photography, from the earliest crude attempts through the present, discussing the technology, the aesthetics, and the wide variety of uses for photography in society. A take home photography assignment was distributed and reviewed. After the break, we toured our academic building, visiting many of the art studios and seeing some more examples of what's done in those rooms. We also checked out a photography show at the CAS building and sculpture at the Dryfoos Gallery (Library). The research papers were collected from those students who had them.

How to make this up- The full details of the photo assignment and some student examples can be seen here.

Homework- The take home photo assignment is due at the beginning of class on March 30, 2011. Those who have not yet turned in their research paper should bring them to class next week.

********Spring Break 3/14/11 to 3/20/11**********

For next class 3/23/11- We will return to our study of color. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, watercolors, brushes, palette, and water container.

3/7/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we spent most of the class working on a new graded project, our last charcoal still life drawing of the semester, similar to the above drawings from last semester. The last hour of class was spent looking at slides of printmaking, from its earliest origins to contemporary work, as well as student examples of the upcoming project.

How to make this up- The charcoal drawing is a graded project and must be completed as soon as possible. The woodcut project (see example below) will be officially started when we return from Spring Break, but students are encouraged to at least think about which literary work they will be doing an illustration for. Further examples of both projects and detailed instructions can be found here.

Homework- Nothing new, but those who still owe me one of the three graded projects (stipple, pencil line still life, charcoal still life) should take advantage of the break to catch up. Point values for late projects go down for each week they are turned in late.

********Spring Break 3/14/11 to 3/20/11*********

For next class 3/21/11- We will be starting a new graded project, a book illustration using the medium of the woodblock print. Bring the literary source of your planned illustration, pencil and eraser, markers, and x-acto knife. You will need paper to sketch ideas for the print, which can be your 18"x 24" pad or a smaller sketchbook if you have one. I will provide a wood block for each student.

3/2/11 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we started our study of color. I showed slides of art from cave paintings to the present, discussing the history of paint and pigments, and the many ways that color functions in art. After the break, the students did a couple of exercises in color mixing, making a color wheel and mixing complementary colors, as in the above example.

How to make this up- For the full instructions as to how to complete these exercises, click here. If you find the directions too complex to understand, wait until next week and talk to me about it in class. This is a portfolio exercise that must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- The research assignments are due at the beginning of class next week, March 9, 2011. Papers turned in after the deadline will be considered late and graded as such.

For next class 3/9/11- Bring your completed research assignment. Next week we will be looking at photography. We will discuss the technology, history, and many uses of photography in art and culture, and you will be given a take home assignment to complete on your own. The rest of the class time will be devoted to some other class related business in the building. Because we won't be doing any art project in class, you may leave all your art materials at home.