9/29/14 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we opened with a quick critique of the dot drawings, which were graded and returned by the end of class.  After that we finished our study of line with a graded project- a still life involving a variety of complex objects.

How to make this up- You will need to set up a still life grouping of your own with a variety of objects.  Then complete a line drawing of it using pencil on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper, as in the above student example.  The specific instructions for how to set it up can be found here.

This is a graded project, and the amount of points it will be worth will go down with each week that it is late.

Homework- No new homework, but those who still owe either of the graded projects should make them up as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/6/14-  We will begin our study of value, the use of light and dark in art.  Bring your 18"x 24" drawing paper, both compressed and vine charcoal, kneaded erasers, and spray fixative.

9/22/14 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started our study of line.  After discussing characteristics of line I showed several dozen slides with examples of how line has been used in art through history.  Following that, the class did a series of portfolio exercises involving aspects of contour line and negative space.

How to make this up- Information about the three portfolio exercises can be found below.  Follow the links at the end of each section to get the details.

Contour Line

We did a series of drawing exercises dealing with contour line, the simple line that surrounds a shape and helps define it.  We used shoes as the subject, simple objects that have similar characteristics to bodies.  Detailed descriptions of these exercises and see student examples of each can be found here.


Negative Space

Positive shapes are spaces surrounded by contour lines.  The empty spaces around and between the positive shapes are considered to be negative space.  The positive and negative each define the other, and thus are considered equally important in two dimensional art.  We used contour lines in two exercises that can be found here.

All the drawings done today were portfolio exercises that must be made up by the last day of the semester to receive full credit.


Homework-  Nothing new today, but the stipple (dot) drawing project begun in class last week is due at the beginning of class Monday, September 29, 2014.

For next class 9/29/14- We will open class next week with a critique of the first project, the dot or stipple drawings, then move on to our second graded project, a pencil line still life of mixed objects.  Bring the completed dot drawings and your original photo, your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.  The dot drawings will be graded and returned before the end of class.

9/16/14 Printmaking

Tonight's Class-  A very busy night, just like a print studio should be.  Regular professor Julie was back and took over the class.  However, the parkway being what it is that time of day, I decided to hang around a while and help get everyone started on the linocut projects, with the first crit scheduled for next week.  Over the part of the class when I was there, the students got to see a demonstration of cutting linoleum, and demonstration of inking and printing, both by hand and with a press.  I also gave out a lot of tips and tricks on print related topics.

How to make this up- If you missed any of this information, you'll have to get it from Julie.

Homework- For undergrad printmakers, the first linocut project will be critiqued at the beginning of class next week September 23, 2014.

For next class 9/23/14- My official involvement with this class is now over, so this is the last weekly update for the print classes.  However, if there is anything that I need to share with everyone, this is the easiest place to post it.

9/15/14 2D Design

Today's Class-  Today we began our study of two dimensional art with the most basic unit of mark making, the dot or point.  We used these as the basis for a portfolio exercise and our first graded project of the semester.  I also distributed the museum assignment.

How to make this up- The details for each are below.

Wallpaper Exercise

For this exercise you will need a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper.  You don't need to tear it out of the pad.  Use a pencil to divide the sheet into 3 roughly equal columns, as in the student examples above and below.  Then make 3 different patterns using nothing but dots.  They can be any size.  You may use either the fine point or large markers, or mix both in the same image.  The patterns must start to repeat at least once between the top and bottom of the page.  In these examples the patterns are purely geometric, but you may use the dots to make patterns based on recognizable images or objects.  This is a portfolio exercise and must be completed by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Graded Stipple Drawing Project

For this graded project you need to select a black and white photograph of a three dimensional object or scene, ideally one with a wide range of values from light to dark.  Reproduce the image or part of the image as a compositional sketch using pencil line on paper.  Once you are satisfied with the shapes, using your ultra fine point marker to duplicate the value shapes using nothing but dots.  More dots make darker values, fewer make lighter tones.  In the above example, the original photo is on the right, and the student stipple drawing made from it is on the left.  (click on the photo to enlarge) Additional examples of this project and further instructions can be found here.

Homework- The graded stipple drawing project is due at the beginning of class on Monday, September 29, 2014.  You must bring in your original photo and the stipple drawing.

For next class 9/22/14-  We will start our study of line drawing with a series of portfolio exercises.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad. pencils and eraser.  The first exercise involves drawing from shoes, and since I may not have enough to go around, I recommend that everyone bring one with them.  It can be an extra, or take it off your foot.  It should be a closed shoe (dress shoe, sneaker, boot, etc), so avoid sandals and flip flops.  I will provide the subjects for the other exercises.

9/9/14 Printmaking

Today's Class-  Tonight we started working on projects.  I opened by bringing in more stuff to show to students, such as a variety of papers, and how things looked printed on them, such as the above large woodcut on kinwashi.  I also showed different states of some of my prints, from initial sketch to early proofs, to final version, to demonstrate the value of seeking opinions of other artists while developing an image.  After that, everyone worked on what they wanted to work on.

How to make this up- Students who are in the introductory class should at least have their face/portrait sketches worked out on paper.  Even better would be to have started drawing it on the linoleum.  

Homework- Finish the sketch for the linoleum print project, so you'll have time to cut and hopefully print them by next week.

For next class 9/16/14- If I am still teaching this class, we will open with a demonstration of how to cut linoleum, and later in the class there will be a printing demonstration.  Bring your linoleum, cutting tools, printing ink, and print paper.

9/8/14 2D Design

Today's Class-  Today was the first day of Two Dimensional Design.  I distributed the syllabus and reviewed the contents.  Then the class filled out a survey about their artistic background and interests, which we reviewed as a class, with me using the same form to let them know about my background.  After that, I went over some of the principles of design, things we will be dealing with in class this year.

How to make this up- Everyone was in today, so everyone has it done.

Homework- Nothing this week, except to be prepared for next week's class

For next class 9/15/14-  We will do a portfolio exercise and start a graded project making use of the most basic 2D mark, the point or dot.  For the project you will need a black and white photograph to work from.  The image must be a photo of a real three dimensional object or space, such a person, object, landscape, interior, etc.  You will be doing a drawing based on it, so choose something you feel comfortable working from (if you don't feel confident drawing a face, don't choose a face)  It should not be an artwork in itself.  What works best for this process is a photo that has a wide range of values- lights, mediums, and darks.  Your source photo can be an actual photographic print, or something you find in a book or magazine.  I will bring in a pile of old magazines that have some suitable photos, but I recommend that you bring something in with you, so you have an image you like and don't have to waste a portion of the class looking for something.

In addition to the photo, bring your 18"x 24" pad of drawing paper, pencil, eraser. two ultra fine point black markers, and larger black sharpie type marker.

9/2/14 Printmaking

Today's class- Tonight was the first meeting for this combined printmaking class and so everyone did the same thing.  I used my four rosters to gradually take attendance and distribute the appropriate syllabi for each student.  These were reviewed.  Then I showed slides, historical and contemporary, of prints in the same mediums as those you will be exploring this semester.  I also brought in several print exchange portfolios from my collection, so the class could see numerous examples of contemporary prints from professional printmakers from around the country, including several artists who are in the New York Public Library's print collection.

How to make this up-  If you are not familiar with these artists, take a few minutes to look up print work from Durer, Piranesi, Goya, Masereel, and the German Expressionists.

Homework- Think about ideas for next week.  Beginners will be doing portrait pieces, advanced students will be coming up with plans for the semester.

For next class 9/9/14- Students working on linocut should have a piece of unmounted linoleum, linocut tools, a sketchbook, pencil and eraser.  Black oil relief printing ink and proper print paper will be needed, but probably not until the week after.  The subject will be a portrait (self or someone else) so bring a mirror or photo to work from.  Advanced students are welcome to join the others in working with linoleum, or can bring in a sketchbook and start working on ideas for more complex print projects to be done this semester.

Welcome to the Fall 2014 Semester

This is the blog that I maintain for my classes at Kean University.  To avoid confusion between the various classes I teach, information for my 2D Design class will be written in blue text, while information for my Printmaking classes will appear in maroon text.  Information for both classes will use black text.

Following class each week I will post the details of what happened in that class.  I will included a description of what was discussed, exercises, and projects.  I will include photos of that work in applicable and available.  I will also include a description of any homework assignments, and the due dates.  

The purpose of this site is to help students catch up quickly if they have to miss some class time.  It is not a substitute for coming to class.  If you have to miss a week, this will allow you to quickly learn how make up the work covered.   Even students who never miss a class find it useful- seeing images of previous student examples, or just verifying the date that homework is due.  It is available 24/7 without having to wait for me to reply to your e-mail.  Of course, if you need more information than what is available on the site, you are welcome to e-mail me with questions and I'll get back to you within a day usually, but in my experience, most of what students are looking for will be here.