9/27/19 Introduction to Art

Today's Class- Today's topic was value, the term used in art to describe relationships of light and dark.  I showed a few dozen examples of historical fine art pointing out how light and shadow were used to accomplish various things, such as show volume, set up contrasts, focus attention, depict textures, and establish times of day.  I also showed several examples of student drawings in charcoal, as that was our medium today.  

How to make this up-  Set up a still life on a low table.  Drape a box with a white or light colored cloth, then arrrange on and around it 2 to 4 simple white or very light colored objects.  Shine a directional light on the set up to create patterns of light and shadow.  Draw the set up on a full page of your 18"x24" pad using charcoal.  Include at least two objects that are in view.  Our experiences in recent weeks with contour line and negative space should be helpful.  Below are some student examples from previous semesters:

Try to match the value of the cloth and objects in your view. Charcoal can be blended with fingers, paper towels, or any tools you find useful for this.  Background value is up to you.  In these examples, students used a dark value in the backgrounds to surround the light areas and make seem lighter. 

Spend at least 45 minutes on the drawing. When completed, rearrange or replace the objects and repeat.

Homework- Nothing new yet, but keep in mind the museum first draft is due in about a month. You will need to complete a museum visit before then

For next class October 4, 2019- We are done with the basic drawing portion of the class and will begin color, with a mosaic style collage. All students will choose a full color photograph of a real thing.  It can come from any source, but if it's digital, you will eventually need to provide a printed copy.  You will sketch the object or scene with pencil line on a page in your 18"x24"pad, then much the colors using small pieces of cut paper from magazines.  Below are a few previous examples, with original photo and student collage version shown.

Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil and eraser, scissors, and a glue suitable for paper.  We do have a pile of magazines, but if you want to bring in some that you don't mind cutting up and/or donating them to the class, they will be welcome.

9/20/19 Introduction to Art

Today's Class- Today the topic was negative space, which can be defined as all the space that is not otherwise filled.  Can apply to both 2D and 3D, but for the purposes of drawing (which is what we were doing today) it is the space between objects depicted, or the space around something.  You can't have positive space without negative space and in art the two are equally important.

How to make this up- We did just two exercises today, both in  connection to negative space.

 First was a pure negative space drawing of all the empty spaces in a wooden chair. Second was a still life of bottles, drawing the positive shapes off the bottles and using observation of the negative shapes to help with the rendering of the bottles.  For more detailed instructions and to see student examples, click here.

This is a portfolio exercise that can be made up at any time during the semester for full credit.

Homework- No homework, but if you missed class make it up soon.  It's good practice for next week.

For next class September 27, 2019- We leave line and move on to value, which you may know of as shading.  Bring your 18"x24" pad, charcoal stick (either vine or compressed), and the kneaded eraser.  It's a moldable stretchy eraser that absorbs dust well, ideal for charcoal.  I suggest wearing dark clothes, as sometimes charcoal can be messy.  There is no binder in the charcoal so it should wash out of clothes, but you don't want to look all grubby the rest of the day. I will have soap for your hands and subjects for the assignment.

9/13/19 Introduction to Art

Today's Class-  Today was our first real day of making art, and we started with the most basic thing this class does- the line.  We opened with a brief discussion of characteristics of line, then looked at a few dozen examples of lines being used in historical art, then got to some simple portfolio exercises on contour lines.  I also distributed syllabi to several new students and handed out the museum assignment, a more detailed version of what can be found on the Museum Assignment link on this site.

How to make this up- The subject for today was shoes, a very common subject for art students.  I brought in a large bag of old shoes, or students had the option to use their own.

For a full description of the exercises and to see additional student examples, click here.

This is a portfolio exercise and can be made up for full credit any time by the end of the semester.

Homework- If you attended class today, you have it done and need do nothing else.  If you missed class, make it up soon- people who delay these things often don't get around to doing them. 

I handed out the museum assignment today.  The rough draft isn't due until November, but you don't want to wait until the last minute to do your museum visit.

For next class September 20, 2019- More work with line, but this time the focus will be on negative space, another important concept in art.  Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil(s) of choice, and eraser. I will bring the subject and it won't involve shoes.

9/6/19 Introduction to Art

Today's Class- Our first meeting of the semester. I distributed and reviewed the syllabus with the class.  I had everyone fill out a survey about their past art experiences, but they weren't collected.  We reviewed answers as a group, including my own experiences. Answered any questions that people had, and talked about next week.  And since there was nothing else to discuss, I let everyone go early.  Expect to stay the full time next week.

How to make this up-  If you were there today, and almost everyone registered for the class was, you are all set.  If you were not there today, you have some paperwork to make up, but no work to be done.

Homework- No homework from today's class.

For next class September 13, 2019- Art begins.  We will do a portfolio exercise on the topic of contour lines, the basics of all drawing.  The subject will be shoes, a classic early art exercise, as shoes are organic- being designed to fit on a foot, they are almost like a body part in themselves.  Plus, unlike live models, they always sit still and they work for free. I will have a supply of shoes, but maybe not enough to go around if everyone shows, so everyone is responsible to have a shoe if needed- whether you bring an extra or take it off your own foot.  Fully enclosed shoes work better than sandals or flip flops. Style doesn't matter.  Also have paper, such as the 18"x24" pad, pencils, and an eraser. 

The museum assignment will also be distributed in class next week.

Welcome to the Fall 2019 Semester

This is the blog site I have set up for my classes at Kean University.  I have two sections of FA 1000 Introduction to Art, both on Fridays in Vaughn-Eames in room 312, Sec 06 from 9:30 am to 12:15 pm, and Sec 07 from 12:30 to 3:15 pm.  The two sections will follow the same schedule, so one post applies to both meetings that day.  The post title will include the name of the class and date, and the text will be in red print.  Any posts that are not directly related to the class will be in black text.

Each post will include a simple description of what we did in class that day, photos of student examples (if available), instructions for making up the assignment, any specific due dates that may apply (all portfolio work is due the last day of class, but some assignments are individually graded and will have due date), required materials needed for the following class, and any changes that need to be made to the syllabus.   
The Museum Assignment tab includes the assignment and active links to some useful museum websites.

This is not an online class and this blog is not a substitute for for attending and participating in the class.  The purpose of this site is to provide information for registered students who may have had to miss a meeting, so they can make up work quickly, and be prepared for the next meeting. Even students who never miss a class might find it useful to come here to verify due dates, see additional student art examples, or get a reminder of what to bring in.  This blog site is available 24/7 and does not require signing in. This site will have the information to answer the most common questions that students have.  However, if you need additional information or have any other questions, you are welcome to send me an e-mail (address is on the syllabus) and I'll try to respond the same day.