11/30/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we continued our use of conte crayons in value drawing, but this time used the red and black together, and the subject was figural rather than simple objects. The red crayon adds a feeling of warmth that the black crayon doesn't provide, making it ideal for representing flesh, while the black crayon provides the possibilities of dark values that the red crayon can't achieve. We looked at a few slide examples of Renaissance era chiaroscuro drawing and chiaroscuro woodcut, processes that relate to what we did today.

Above is a student drawing from a different class, done more in the style popularized in the Renaissance.  It uses a piece of solidly colored paper (in this case green, but other colors can be just as effective), and the artist draws with both white (highlights, done with conte or chalk) and black (shadows, done with charcoal or ink), and the medium value of the colored paper serves as the middle value.  However, colored papers can be expensive and are not always stocked in local art supply stores, so our light will come from our white paper, our medium values from a sanguine (red) crayon, and the darks from a black crayon.

How to make this up- Today's subject was the human figure, more complex than what we've drawn before, but the next step for people who want to continue their study of drawing. The first half of class was spent working from a mannequin, and the second half working from a live model. Below is an example drawing from today's class.

There are two approaches that can be taken to this three-tone technique. The traditional method (similar effect to old fashioned chiaroscuro drawing) is to use the red crayon first to do a value drawing, then blend from red to black for the darker values and deep shadows. The drawing below and two above using red and black are examples of this process.

Another option is reducing the drawing to 3 solid tones representing light (white of the paper), medium (red) and dark (black) values in the subject. So instead of blending gradually from white to red to black, the drawing is made from hard edged shapes, the result looking more like a chiaroscuro woodcut. Below is an example. This option is more difficult, as everything must be planned in advance, and the artist must consistently assign values in the subject to one of the 3 tones.

The assignment- Complete two figure related drawings, each using a full sheet of your 18" x 24" paper and the two colors of conte crayons. The subjects can be a live human figure (dressed is acceptable), or figure-like object such as a statue, figurine or doll that is large enough to show details. Light the figure to create strong light and shadow patterns. Spend about 2 hours on each drawing. You may use either or both of the above styles for the two drawings.

Homework- We will return to our old friend, the shoe. In your sketchbook draw two shoes using the combined red and black crayons, one per page. Use two different shoes, or the same shoe from two different angles. Light the shoes to create light and shadows and try to match the values as closely as possible.

Reminder- we only have two weeks left of class, at which point everything is due, including the sketchbook and the museum paper. If you are behind on the homework sketches, you have until then to get them done. Use the blog archives to check on what you may have missed.

For next class 12/7/11- We will be doing the final still life drawing of the semester. You may use your choice of charcoal (vine or compressed), ink wash, or conte crayon (one or two colors) to complete the value drawing. Bring your medium of choice and related materials (brushes, kneaded eraser, fixative, etc), along with your 18" x 24" paper. You will have the whole class period to work on one drawing, or do more than one and choose the best one to turn in at the end of class.

11/28/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we explored another aspect of painting with color, a simple still life painting of colorful objects. We looked at about a dozen slides of still life paintings from the Renaissance to the present, discussing what purpose the paintings served for the artist and the viewers, past and present. Students spent the rest of the class working on a color painting from a still life set up.

How to make this up- Set up a still life. In a well lit room put a box on a table and drape with a multicolored cloth. Find four solidly colored objects, each a different color from the others and the cloth. Arrange on and around the box. Do a painting of the set up on your 18" x 24" paper. You may sketch with pencil first, or just paint directly. As with earlier still life projects, pay attention to the shapes of individual objects, the proportions of individual objects and between objects, and to the relative value of objects. In addition, try to match the colors of the drape and objects as closely as possible. You may choose any color you want for the background. Above are two examples from previous semesters.

This is a portfolio exercise which must be completed by the end of the semester to receive full credit.

Homework- Nothing new, but the limited color palettes project that we started last week is due at the beginning of class next week, December 5, 2011. Those who still owe back projects (woodcut, seasons) should get those done as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

The museum paper is due on the last day of class, 3 weeks from today, but it can be turned in sooner if you have it.

For next class 12/5/11- We will begin the final project of the semester. It will be based on the artwork of a fine artist of your choosing. The artist must be a legitimate fine artist (the type found in art history texts, major museums, etc), working two dimensionally, in color, and with recognizable content (images). Bring color examples of the artists's work to class. If you have no artist in mind, bring a book with examples of a favorite painting subject or style, or even a general art history textbook. For materials you will need a piece of mat board- any color, at least 18" x 24" (standard mat is 30"x 40", so two students can split one). Also pencil and eraser, and all your painting supplies.

11/23/11 Drawing 1

Today's Class- Today we explored a printmaking medium that has much in common with value drawing, the monotype. Monotypes can be done many ways with many different materials, but we tried a very traditional process, using oil based media on glass or plexiglass. The class worked from typical still life objects, everyone completing at least 3 prints.

How to make this up- Find 3 objects of similar size, one white, two with darker values. Set up on a table with some kind of backdrop and shine a direct light to create patterns of light and shadow. You will need a printing plate, made from glass or plexiglass, about 8" x 10". (if glass, I recommend putting some masking tape on all edges to reduce the chance of getting cuts) Cut three pieces of paper that are at least slightly larger than the printing plate and set aside. Lay out some newspaper on your work surface, as this will be messy.

The drawings were done as value reductions, like when we filled a page with vine charcoal and erased out the lights. Spread a small amount of your black oil paint or relief ink over the whole plate, covering it with a very thin layer. Use whatever tools you would like to draw into the ink and remove it. (today's students used such things as q-tips, paint brushes, mat cards, and paper towels) A few drops of vegetable oil will help loosen the ink and make it easier to wipe. You can add more ink back if you need to redraw sections. Once you are satisfied with the drawing on the plate, carefully place a piece of the paper on top and gently rub the back of the paper with your hand to transfer the ink to the paper. Pick up the corners to see how it looks, and if it's lighter than you expect, drop it back down and rub again. (a wooden spoon or equivalent can be helpful) Students were asked to bring black paint or ink, so that the images would relate to our experiences with charcoal, etc, but a few only had color paints. Examples of both black and white and color can be seen above and below.

Do the following drawings-

1) Draw one of the objects by itself

2) Draw two side by side objects

3) Draw all three objects, or substitute one complex object (the alternate today was flowers in a vase)

The completed prints should be allowed to dry in the open air if possible, for about a week or so. This is a portfolio exercise, and the prints should be saved to be part of your 2nd half of the semester portfolio. If you are confused by the above directions, wait and ask me about it next week in class.

Homework- None today. Enjoy the holiday, or use the time to make up back homework assignments if you are behind.

For next class 11/30/11- We will go back to using the conte crayons, this time to try a variation of chiaroscuro drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both red and black conte crayons, erasers, and anything you find useful for blending.

11/21/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started a new graded project involving limited color palettes. Sometimes artists will paint with the natural colors of their subject, but at other times they will choose other colors to represent their subject. We looked at a few dozen slides of examples of some common approaches to limited color, then started the project. Some time was reserved at the end of class to look at the season temperature collages.

How to make this up- First find a black and white photograph of an actual scene (person, landscape, interior, still life, etc). Sketch the basic composition of your photo four times on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper, then use your acrylic paints to do paintings reflecting the value structures of the photo. Student examples from previous semesters can be seen above and below. To learn the specific details of how the colors will be chosen, and to see additional examples, click here.

Homework- This limited palettes graded project is due at the beginning of class on December 5, 2011. Anyone who still owes a back project, such as the woodblock or the season temperature collage, should bring them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 11/28/11- We will take a more traditional approach to paint by painting a color still life painting. Bring your 18" x 24" paper, paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, pencil and eraser.

11/16/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we started by looking at the ink wash drawings completed in class last week. Then we spent most of the day trying a new drawing medium- conte crayons. They have a clay base and are a little harder than charcoal, which allows for a more precise placing of marks, but makes it a little more difficult to blend. Also, they come in a variety of colors.

How to make this up- Set up a typical still life. Put a box on a table and drape with a white or light colored cloth. Find 3 simple objects of similar size, one white or light colored, two medium or dark colored. Arrange on and around the box and shine a direct light on it to create light and shadow patterns.

Black Crayon- Draw the still life on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper using the black crayon. As with charcoal, pay attention to the shapes of each object,and the relative proportions and locations of the objects. Try to match the original values from the still life as closely as possible. It will be difficult to blend it with just your fingers, but a blending tool (such as white paper tortillions or stumps sold in the drawing section of art supply stores), or even a bit of paper towel will make blending much easier. Some students like using kneaded erasers for this, while erasers for pencil do a better job actually erasing the crayon. Spend up to 90 minutes on the drawing.

Red Crayon- Rearrange the objects and draw the set up again on another sheet of 18" x 24" paper, this time using the red crayon. There are student examples from a previous semester above and below. All of the same concerns of value drawing still apply, however the red crayon is lighter than black, so at its darkest will never be as dark as black conte crayon or charcoal, and you may have to adjust your relative values in the drawing. Again, spend about 90 minutes working on it.

These are portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the last day of the semester in order to receive credit for them.

Homework- Arrange a knife, fork, and spoon on a medium dark surface, so that none of the utensils are parallel to each other. Draw the set up in your sketchbook using the black crayon. Account for any visible reflections or shadows. Draw the same arrangement again on a new page of your sketchbook using the red crayon. Then rearrange the utensils, again so that none are parallel to each other and draw two more times, once black, once red, for a total of 4 pages of sketches.

For next class 11/23/11- We will explore a new medium, the monotype, a form of printmaking that is very much related to value drawing. You will need a printing plate (a smooth piece of glass, plexiglass/plastic, or metal, about 8" x 10"), black oil paint or oil based relief ink, paint brushes and anything that can be used to manipulate paint and create textures, and your 18" x 24 pad. I'll provide everything else you'll need.

11/14/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we printed the completed woodcut blocks, all of which are shown above. While that was going on, everyone started a new graded project relating to color temperature.

How to make this up- This graded project requires you to use your acrylic paints to mix up to 200 different colors. The colors should be painted as 1" squares, which will be cut out and arranged in grids of 10 squares by 10 squares. You will create two such large squares, each representing one of the seasons as determined by temperature- the perception that any given color feels warm or cool. For example, a large square made up of all warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) would signify summer. A large square with a mix of warm and cool colors could represent either spring or autumn. Below are two examples from a previous semester. Additional examples and the full directions can be found here.

Homework- This color temperature graded project is due at the beginning of class on November 21, 2011. Those who did not bring in their block today should complete it as soon as possible and bring it to class.

For next class 11/21/11- We will critique the color temperature projects as a group and then start a new graded project involving specific color combinations. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, acrylic paints, brushes, palette, etc. You will also need a black and white photo to base the project on, so either bring one of your own or I'll have the pile of magazines to pick through again.

11/9/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we finished our time with ink wash, with students doing a graded drawing. Drawings were collected at the end of class, and will be returned graded next week.

How to make this up- Today's set up was a large leafy plant hanging within a wooden tripod easel. Find your own potted plant and some kind of stand. If you don't have a stand, put the potted plant on a wooden chair. The room should be well lit, from either daylight or lamps. Draw the plant and stand/chair at 100% scale (if a leaf is two inches long on the plant, it should be about the same size on your paper) on your 18" x 24" paper, including as much of the subject as will fit on the page. The page can be vertical or horizontal. Use pencil for a contour sketch, then complete the value drawing using ink wash. Try to match the values of the leaves, stems, flowerpot, and stand as closely as possible. Take a photo of the plant to bring in along with the drawing. Above and below are examples from previous semesters.

This is a graded project, so the longer it takes for you to turn it in, the more points will be lost.

Homework- Find 3 leaves from 3 different species of tree (maple, oak, birch, etc). The leaves can still be green, or have turned fall colors. Arrange the leaves on a piece of white paper, so that they overlap each other slightly. Do an ink wash drawing of the leaves in your sketchbook, at a scale where the leaves will mostly fill the page. (you may sketch in pencil first) Rearrange the leaves and draw with ink a second time. Rearrange again and do a third ink wash drawing.

For next class 11/16/11- We will start a new medium, conte crayon. Conte crayons are a little harder than charcoal, so they are easier to control, though a little more difficult to blend. They also come in colors besides black. Bring both black and red crayons, along with various erasers and your 18" x 24" pad, and we will do some portfolio exercise still life drawings.

11/7/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started our study of color. We talked about the physical properties of color, the materials used to make pigments, and how it's used in art. Students then did a series of portfolio exercises related to basic color theory.

How to make this up- The class did three portfolio exercises involving basic color theory. They produced a color wheel, a complement mix, and a series of tints and shades of a single hue. Above are two examples from previous semesters. The full directions to complete these exercises, and additional examples, can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- The completed wood block is due at the beginning of class on November 14, 2011.

For next class 11/14/11- Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, all painting materials (acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container), scissors and glue. We will print the wood blocks and start a new graded project about color temperature.

11/2/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we opened with a short group critique of the charcoal drawings done in class last week. After that we looked at a few slides of art done in the medium of ink wash- drawing ink that has been diluted with water to make washes of various gray values, and applied to the paper with brushes. Then students did two portfolio exercises involving ink wash drawing.

How to make this up- Set up a still life as in the examples shown above and below. Put a small box on a table, and hang a white or light colored cloth so that it covers the box and creates a backdrop behind it as well. Find two white or light colored objects to act as your subjects, and light with a direct light source to create patterns of light and shadow. Make some ink wash by putting some water in a disposable container (cup, can), and add a few drops of your drawing ink. Test the resulting ink on a piece of scrap paper to see how dark it is. Then do the following drawings:

1) Place one of the objects on the cloth covered box. Do a simple contour line sketch of the set with light pencil on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper. Use the ink wash to start filling in values to match the values seen in the still life. Brushes designed to use with watercolors work best for this material. Add ink to your wash a few drops at a time to create darker washes. It's best to work from light values toward dark values. Continue until all the values in the still life are reproduced in your drawing. Spend about 90 minutes working on it.

2) Place one of the objects on the cloth covered box, and the second one in front of it. Draw with pencil, then ink, as in the first drawing. Spend up to 2.5 hours working on the drawing.

These are portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the end of the semester in order to receive credit. However, because we are doing a graded project involving ink wash next week, I strongly recommend you complete these before next Wednesday for the practice.

Homework- Set up a still life in the same manner as listed in the section above. Use two white or light colored objects of similar size, with one on the box and one on the table near it. Do an ink wash sketch of it in your sketchbook. Switch the objects and draw it again, for a total of two pages.

For next class 11/9/11- We will continue with ink wash, using it to do a graded drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" paper, pencil and eraser, drawing ink, brushes, and water containers. Students have the option of using a piece of watercolor paper of similar size if they wish to purchase one on their own.