Today's Class- For the first time this semester we considered color, while still dealing with shapes concerns. Starting with a topic of monumental art, which I define as large scale art permanently part of a structure, we briefly looked at slides of frescoes then mosaics, artworks that depict two dimensional images using small solid objects (stones, tiles, etc). We will be substituting cut colored paper, and I walked around with some student examples from previous semesters.
How to make this up- First step is to select a source photo. Your piece must be based on a photograph of a real object or scene, not just someone's flat artwork. Multiple colors and values will make it better. Your new piece needs to be a minimum of 36 square inches, either 6" x 6" or 9" by 4" (vertical or horizontal is fine) but you can go larger in any of those dimensions, which means more work for you, but it's your art in the end. In class I had cardboard templates for students to trace, but this can be worked out with a ruler as well. You may crop the photo and choose a smaller portion to depict, but you are responsible to include everything in your chosen area. On a piece of your large paper, draw the size box you want to work with, then sketch the basic composition from your source, using pencil. Glue or tape the original photo next to your new image.
Next, copy the color using small pieces of paper cut from magazines, and glued to your drawn image, as in the above student examples. Try to match the colors as much as possible. The grade will have more to do with color than how well you draw, but accuracy in your drawing will make matching shapes easier. The color pieces should be a maximum of a half inch square, but can be shaped any way you want. There can be a small amount of white space between them, or they can overlap. For instance, a small piece can be glued on top of other pieces, or one color can be placed over another to create a clean edge of negative space.
This is a portfolio exercise, so officially due the last day of class this semester, though I recommend not waiting that long. It's not particularly difficult, but it is time consuming, and the one exercise that students are least likely to finish on their own.
Homework- Today's project is an exercise, due by th end of there semester, but don't forget that the museum paper rough draft is due on November 1, 2019. It is the one thing that Kean cares most about and it is a graded project.
As mentioned in class, we were required to complete Early Academic Alerts (what used to be called midterm grades) for all registered students this weekend. It has nothing to do with the grade you will get for the semester. Since nothing has been officially graded yet, all I can really apply is attendance. A few students who seem to have stopped coming to class got a comment about multiple absences. Students who have e-mailed me or discussed absences with me did not- they know where they stand and what they need to do. Everyone who was in attendance on Oct 4 is in good shape.
For next class Oct 11, 2019- More color, but this time with paints and more traditional color theory. Bring your 18"x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, set of watercolor paints, watercolor brushes, some kind of water container (old cup or can will do) and some kind of mixing pallet. (can be the official store bought kind with little mixing wells, but anything flat that doesn't absorb water will work.)
