4/18/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we explored another approach to color in the form of a still life painting. Unlike the past few projects where we specifically used colors that did not match any particular reality, this time the goal was to match exact colors in the set up. We began with a few dozen slides of still life painting through the ages and discussed the role it has played in the history of art. The rest of the class period was devoted to the project, except for a few minutes looking at more of the season collages.

How to make this up- Start by setting up a still life. Put a box on a table and drape with a multicolored cloth, such as a sheet or tablecloth. Arrange 3 solidly colored objects of similar sizes, each a different color from the others and from the cloth, on and around the box. Light should be bright enough to see the color well, preferably from a single source. Paint the still life on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper, trying to match the shape, size, proportions, and relative positions of the objects as we have with past still life projects, but now also trying to match the exact colors (hue, intensity, value, etc) of the objects and drapery. You may choose any color you want for the background. You may sketch the composition first in pencil, or just paint directly from your observation if you prefer. Students in class spent about 3.5 hours on it, not including lunch break.

This is a portfolio exercise that must be completed by the end of the semester in order to receive credit.

Homework- Nothing new, but the limited color palettes project that we began in class last week is due at the beginning of class next week, April 25, 2011.

Keep in mind that the museum paper is due by the last class meeting of the semester, three weeks from today. If you have not done so yet, visit a museum soon so that you can get it done.

For next class 4/25/11- We will critique the limited palettes project and start the final project of the semester. It will involve an adaptation of the two dimensional work of someone from the history of fine art. Bring a book with color reproductions of a favorite artist, favorite art movement, favorite subject, or if you have no favorites, a general book about painting or an art history textbook. The art in question should be representational. The project will require a piece of mat board (18"x 24" should be enough, but it's rarely sold that small, so you may have to buy a larger piece), and all your painting materials, pencil and eraser. Paper for sketching ideas would be helpful as well.