Today's Class- We opened by looking at the finished Make 100 projects, a group critique. Those pieces were graded and returned by the end of class. After that we began the 2nd graded project of the semester, with a focus on positive and negative space.
How to make this up-Today we adapted a process related to both sculpture and printmaking- the relief. As a form of sculpture, it only is viewed from one side. For a subject we started with skeletons. Skeletons are nature's perfect structure, bones providing a framework and protection for internal parts, as well as means to move the body from place to place. The relationship of the bones to the rest of the body can be seen as a root of our aesthetics.
First I had students pick out a skeleton to work from, such as one I provided, as in the student line drawing above from a human skeleton, or finding one on the internet. Either human or animal is fine. Next, a foam core relief based on the skeleton diagram is made, with the bones used as the high parts of the relief. Cut out the bone shapes and glue them to a 12" x 12" piece of foam core.
The second part of the project is to create a second relief image that shares shapes, patterns, and rhythms with the skeletal drawing. In this example, positive and negative shapes created by the ribs are echoed in the grass and weeds. The shape of the shoulder blade is similar to the shape of the frog.
Some student examples from past semesters:
Most students use all white, but I do allow the use of a second color to create a higher contrast between the positive shapes and negative space background.
Homework- This skeleton graded project is due at the beginning of class on February 23, 2016.
Students who still haven't turned in the Make 100 project can still do so for partial credit.
For next class 2/16/16- We will be working on a portfolio exercise related to planes, as in surfaces. You will need foam core, bristol board, pencil and eraser, knife or scissors, and glue. Part of the assignment will involve car design, so you will need to choose an automobile that you like based only on its appearance. Have images of this car from all sides.
