Today's Class- Two main things going on today. Our new topic was drawing in perspective. Rendering a three dimensional object on a two dimensional surface means some kind of distortion as a whole dimension is lost. Multiple objects and a larger space depicted makes it even worse. By the time of the renaissance, artists developed one way of handling the problem- perspective systems. Showed a few slides, drew a little on the chalkboard, and provided a handout to try to explain the process. The other thing going on today was that our big 2D project- the autobiographical symbolic comic strip was due. Some students chose to work on that instead so they could turn it in, and will complete the perspective drawing (a portfolio assignment) later. Those who had their comics done got to present them to the class, just briefly explaining their choice of symbols and the events of the story. Finished strips were collected and will be returned graded at our next meeting.
I also reminded everyone of the up coming schedule and accepted some late rough drafts of the museum paper. I had hoped to also review some of the photograph exercise results with the whole class, but the other two things took a lot of time. I did take the time to look at those that have been done and make sure the students had got it right (and they had). The photographs will have to be brought back in the last day for the portfolio review, but on that assignment they are set.
How to make this up- The portfolio exercise is to be drawn from an actual corner of the classroom, similar to the student example below. This was done in VE 211.
This is a simple line drawing, done in pencil on sheet of 18"x24" paper, simple two point perspective. Some kind of straightedge is helpful (I had some yard sticks available today). The scene should include a corner of the room and some adjacent architectural features, such as doors, items on the wall, and significant architecture. Furniture may be optional. If you don't know how this works, I'll review the handout with anyone who needs it during next week's class. This is a portfolio exercise that can be made up at any point before the end of the semester for full credit.
Homework- If you didn't turn in your comic strip today, I suggest you get it done soon. It's a graded assignment and the grade goes down with each week it is late.
For next class 12/6/19- We are off for Thanksgiving break next week, but our class will resume on December 6, 2019. We have 3 more sessions remaining. Next time we will review the history of sculpture and students will have the opportunity to randomly draw topics for the final 3D piece. To be constructed from materials chosen by the student- found objects, craft store stuff, whatever makes sense to the student. So as of now no art materials will be needed for class, though I do suggest some paper to sketch ideas or notes. I will also return the graded comic strips.
