11/3/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we started by looking at slides from the history of printmaking, from the Renaissance through the present. Then the class started working on a related portfolio assignment, a collagraph. We also devoted some time at the end of class to looking at the results of the photography assignment given out two weeks ago.

How to make this up- Find a piece of cardboard about 8" x 10". (the large side of a cereal box will do) You need to attach a variety of materials with different textures to the cardboard, so that some kind of recognizable image is formed. In a few weeks you will bring in the completed collagraph plate and I'll help you print them. Student examples of the printed collagraphs are shown above and below. (the one below has been colored after printing with watercolors) For more details about the assignment, click here.

Homework- The completed collagraph plate is due at the beginning of class on November 17, 2010.

Anyone who still hasn't turned in their research assignment should do so as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

Those who didn't have their photos today should bring them in next week to share with the class.

For next class 11/10/10- We will start the first individually graded assignment of the semester. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil, and eraser, and pastels.

11/1/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we opened with a critique of last week's charcoal value graded project, with the drawings graded and returned to the students later in the day. Then I distributed pieces of wood to the students and they started working on their designs for their woodcut book illustration projects. Toward the end of the day I did a demonstration of safe and effective cutting techniques.

How to make this up- You can't start the block until I give you a piece of plywood, but you can work out your design on paper. The image will be 8" x 6", and can be positioned vertical or horizontal, as in the student examples above. You can sketch it out in pencil, and may choose to use markers to fill in the black shapes to get a better feel for how the print will look. Remember that the resulting print is a mirror image of the block, so you will have to draw the block backwards from how you want the print to look.

Homework- The completed wood block is due at the beginning of class on November 15, 2010, at which time we will print them in class.

For next class 11/8/10- We will begin our study of color. Bring your 18"x 24" pad, and all your painting related materials- acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and some kind of container for water, as well as pencil and eraser.

10/27/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- The topic for today was rhythm as a visual element. I showed slides of art from the Renaissance to the present that displayed a variety of rhythmic qualities. Then I played various types of instrumental music, while the students made abstract watercolor paintings based on the music being listened to, such as in the example above. In addition, we reviewed the results of the research papers, with each student reporting on some of what they learned about their art historical period, and the graded papers were returned.

How to make this up- Full details as to how to complete today's assignment, along with several more student examples, can be found here. It lists 5 types of music, out of which your should pick 4 to do for yourself. This is a portfolio exercise, so must be made up by the end of the semester to receive full credit.

Homework- The photography assignment given last week is due at the beginning of class next week, November 3, 2010. Have prints labeled and in order. Those who still owe me a research paper should turn it in as soon as possible to receive some partial credit for the assignment.

For next class 11/3/10- We will begin a printmaking related project, something called a collagraph. I will have materials for everyone to use, but students are encouraged to bring in a variety of natural and manufactured items with interesting textures, stuff that you don't mind cutting up and gluing to a surface. Also bring scissors and glue (something stronger than a glue stick). You don't need your 18" x 24" pad for next week.

2D Design Final Charcoal and Woodcut Preview

Final Charcoal Drawing

How to make this up- For the charcoal drawing, set up a still life. Put a box on a table, drape with both a white or light colored cloth and a dark colored cloth, then arrange 4 objects (2 white, 2 colored) on and around the box. Shine a direct light on the set up to create patterns of light and shadow. Draw on a sheet of 18"x 24" paper, paying attention to shapes, sizes, and spacing of the objects, as well as the value of individual objects and drapery. Above are a student examples. Spend up to 4 hours on it, using your choice of compressed or vine charcoal. This is a graded project, so the more weeks it is late, the more points will be deducted.

Woodcut Project

The next graded project will be a book illustration in the form of a woodcut print. Today students were shown examples of prints from history, and examples of this project from previous students (see above and below). Each student needs to choose a book for which they will create an illustration. It can be fiction (novel, short story), non-fiction (history, biography), poetry, but no fairy tales, children's stories, young adult books, comic books, or other fully illustrated writing. The illustration can be of a specific scene from your book, or something that sums up the entire book. Your resulting image must be representational, but doesn't have to be realistic, as the examples demonstrate. The project will be graded based on how well it portrays the narrative from the book and for creating an interesting composition in black and white. Wood will be distributed to the class next week, and after a discussion of two dimensional composition, the rest of the class meeting will be devoted to working on your block.

10/20/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today I collected the research papers from everyone who had one. They will be graded and returned next week. Today's art topic was the medium of photography. I showed slides from the early history of photography through the present, breaking them down by chronology and common themes. After the slides, I distributed and reviewed a take home photography assignment. We took a break, then used the rest of the class to tour the various art studios in Vaughn Eames and visited an exhibition across campus.

How to make this up- The photo assignment was distributed on a handout, but if you weren't there today or misplace your copy, the full assignment, along with some student examples, can be found here.

Homework- The take home photo assignment is due at the beginning of class on November 3, 2010. The photos must be printed out and individually labeled, but don't have to be mounted.

If you haven't yet turned in your research paper, bring it to class as soon as possible.

For next class 10/27/10- We will use the paints again, so bring your 18" x 24" pad, watercolor paints, brushes, palette, and water container.

2D Design Charcoal Exercises

How to make this up- Put a box on a table, and drape with a white or light colored cloth (sheet, towel, etc). Find 4 white or light colored objects of similar size. Arrange with one on the box and the others around it on the table. Shine a directional light on it to create strong light and shadow patterns. Do your best to match the light and shadow in the still life, while still paying attention to the shapes of individual objects, and the proportions and spacing of the objects. Remember that when doing value drawings, you want to eliminate as many lines as possible from the final drawing, having edges of value shapes instead. Then do the following drawings:

Value Reduction Drawing- Take a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper, and use your vine charcoal to fill the page with an even dark gray tone. Then use your kneaded eraser to draw from the set up (see the example above), erasing out the light tones that you see in the set up. If you erase too much, fill it back in with your vine charcoal. If you have spray fixative, you should use it to permanently fix the charcoal to the page once the drawing is finished. Students in class spent about an hour on the drawing.

Compressed Charcoal Drawing- Replace two of the white objects in your still life with dark colored objects of similar size. Take a new sheet of 18" x 24" paper. Use your compressed charcoal to draw the still life on white paper, as in the above student example. (do not fill in the page with compressed charcoal first, as it is very difficult to erase) Students in class spent about 90 minutes on the drawing.

Both of these are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester to get credit, but it is strongly recommended that you do it in the next week for practice, because next week we'll be doing a charcoal graded project.

Intro to Art Color Theory Exercises

How to make this up- There are two parts to today's assignment.

Color Wheel On a sheet of your paper, use pencil to draw a large circle toward one end of the paper, leaving a few inches margin between the circle and the edge of the paper. Then do the following:

Primary colors- Draw 3 boxes along the rim of the circle, half inside the circle, half outside, equally spaced around the circle. Inside the boxes you'll paint the three primary colors- Red, Yellow, and Blue, one in each. Put the full strength color in the part of the box outside the circle, the color plus white on the inside. (in the above example, red is at 3:00, blue is at 7:00 and yellow is at 11:00)

Secondary colors- Draw 3 more boxes, equally spaced between the primary boxes. These will be for the secondary colors, equal mixes of the three primaries. Mix them using the same 3 shades you used for the first part, and as with the first part, use the full strength mix outside the circle, and the color plus white inside. Your secondaries should appear to be halfway between the source colors, not closer to either one. Make sure that the secondary colors are located between the primary colors used to make them. (in the above example, orange is at 1:00, violet is at 5:00, and green is at 9:00)

Intermediate colors- Draw 6 more boxes, spaced equally between the previous 6. These boxes can be smaller. Mix the tertiary colors, halfway between each primary and the adjacent secondaries. (red-orange, red-violet, blue-green, etc) You don't need to do the mixes with white this time, just the 6 colors. Like with the secondaries, try to mix colors halfway between the two, not closer to one or the other.

Complement Mix Every color around the color wheel has a complement, it's exact opposite, which is located directly across the wheel from it. Choose either red/green or blue/orange. In the remaining part of your paper, draw a row of 5 boxes, with 3 adjacent boxes centered beneath it. Put the full strength primary color in your pair (red in the above example) at one end of the row of 5, and the full strength secondary (green above) at the other end. In the third box mix an equal combination of the primary and secondary so that it doesn't look closer to either original color. Add white to it and put in the box directly below it. In the remaining boxes mix colors that have both complements, but more of the one that the box is closest to, and again add white and put that color in the box below. (in the above example, from left to right, green, green with a little red, equal amounts of green and red, red with a little green, and all red)

 

If all these directions are a little complicated, talk to me in class next week. This is a portfolio exercise, so you have until the end of the semester to finish it.

10/6/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides of monumental 2D art- artworks that cover large walls, ceilings, and occasionally floors- mostly paintings and mosaics. The class also viewed a video showing all the steps in the creation of a 400 square foot mural. After that, students began a new portfolio exercise, a mosaic inspired collage. While students were working, I spoke with them individually regarding their research papers.

How to make this up- The mosaic collage project, an example of which can be seen above, is a portfolio exercise that must be made up by the end of the semester. Full details as to how to complete the piece, as well as additional examples, can be found here.

Homework- Those who have not yet shown me a list of intended artists and artworks and a book source for their research papers should do so as soon as possible, in class or by e-mail. If you do not clear your choices with me, you will be responsible if they are not appropriate to your topic. The paper itself is due at the beginning of class on October 20, 2010.

For next class 10/13/10- We will begin our study of color. Bring all your painting related supplies- watercolor paints, brushes, mixing palette, and some kind of container for water (cup, can, empty bottle, etc), as well as your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser.

10/4/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started with a critique of the stipple drawings, which were later graded and returned. After that we started a new graded project, our final line drawing project of the semester, a complex still life, similar to the one shown above.

How to make this up- Everyone came to class today, so no one needs to make it up.

Homework- Nothing new, but if you haven't yet turned in your dot drawing, bring the drawing and the original photo to the the next class meeting.

For next class 10/18/10- We will begin our study of value. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.

9/29/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we discussed the concept of value, which in artistic terms means relative lightness or darkness of elements in an artwork. Value can help imply space and volume in a two dimensional work, in addition to describing the local colors of depicted objects. We looked at slides from antiquity to the present, seeing how the use of value evolved during that time. The class then did a still life drawing using charcoal, similar to the student example above.

How to make this up- Full details as to how to make up this assignment can be found here. This is a portfolio exercise, which must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- The list of artists and artworks, as well as one book that you will use in your research assignment, is due in class next week, October 6, 2010. The paper itself is due two weeks after that.

For next class 10/6/10- We will start a new project involving the medium of collage. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and eraser, scissors, and glue (white, stick, or rubber cement). If you have magazines that you don't mind cutting up, bring them in. Otherwise you can go through whatever magazines that I provide.

9/27/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started by looking at slides of art, from cave paintings through the present, considering how line was used in each case. Then the class did a series of line related portfolio exercises.

How to make this up- The worked on two main ideas, contour lines, and negative space.

Negative Space- Negative space is the empty spaces around and between elements in a work of 2D art. It is useful in finding positive shapes and the relative space and position of the positive shapes. Exercises in Negative Space can be found here.

Contour Line- Contour lines are the lines that surround a shape and give it its identity. Contour lines can also help define parts of the object. We did a series of exercises involving shoes, details of which can be found here.

Homework- The stipple (dot) drawings begun last week are due at the beginning of class next week, October 4, 2010. For anyone who missed today's class, the portfolio exercises must be made up before the end of the semester.

For next class 10/4/10- Bring your completed stipple drawing, the original photo that it is based on, your 18" x 24" pad, pencil(s) and eraser. We will critique the stipple drawings, and start a new graded project involving a complex line still life.

9/22/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we started by reviewing the research paper assignment; I showed slides representing the various artistic periods, and students each chose one from the list. Then we did a few drawing exercises involving the concept of negative space.

How to make this up- Information about the two drawing exercises can be found here. These are portfolio exercises that need to be made up by the end of the semester.

Students who missed class today need to choose an artistic period/movement for their paper. The following topics are still available:

Italian Renaissance of the 15th century

Italian Renaissance of the 16th century

Northern Renaissance (15th and 16th century)

Portraiture of the 18th century

Neoclassical Art/Architecture (18th century)

Academic Art of the 19th century

German Expressionism (20th century)

New Objectivity (20th century)

Abstract Expressionism (20th century)

One student allowed per topic, first come, first serve. If you wish to reserve one now, e-mail me with your top three choices in order. If you're in no hurry, you can choose your topic in class next week. I'll give you the handout with all the details of the assignment in class.

Homework- Your list of chosen artists for the paper, and at least one book that you will use, is due in class on October 6, 2010. The finished paper itself is due at the beginning of class on October 20, 2010.

For next class 9/29/10- Bring your 18"x 24" pad, charcoal, and kneaded eraser. We will work with the concept of value (light and dark). Charcoal can be messy, so I suggest not wearing white clothes that day.

9/20/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started our study of two dimensional art with the simplest of all marks, the point or dot. First up was a portfolio exercise in patterns (an example of which can be seen above), which can be made up any time before the end of the semester.

Then we started the first graded project of the semester, a drawing that exactly reproduces the values in a black and white photograph using only tiny black dots of ink, commonly called a stipple drawing. Above is a student example from a previous semester. For more examples and all the details of the project, click here.

Homework- The dot value drawing is due at the beginning of class on October 4, 2010.

For next class 9/27/10- We will start of study of line. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser. One of the exercises we will do that day will involve drawing from shoes, and since we do not have enough to go around, everyone is responsible for providing their own shoes. Either bring an extra or be prepared to remove one from your foot.

9/15/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today the museum assignment was distributed and reviewed. Links to the eligible museums can be found here and at the link to the right. After that we looked at slides of art from prehistoric cave paintings through contemporary oils, to see how artists have made use of different kinds of lines in art. After the break we did a series of exercises using contour lines.

How to make this up- Everyone came to class today. Keep today's work to be part of your end of the semester portfolio.

Homework- The museum assignment can be turned in any time, but to receive credit, it must be turned in by the last class meeting of the semester.

For next class 9/22/10- Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser. We will continue to work with line and introduce the concept of negative space.

9/13/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Today was the first day of the semester. The syllabus was distributed and reviewed. The students filled out a survey regarding their artistic experiences, which we reviewed as a class. I also distributed the museum assignment.

Homework- The Museum assignment is due on the last day of class, but can be turned in any time before then.

For next class 9/20/10- Bring your 18"x 24" pad of drawing paper, pencil, eraser, ultra fine point and large permanent black markers. One project will be based on a black and white photograph, so if you have a photo you would like to draw from, bring it in. For those who don't have one or forget, I'll have a pile of magazines to pick through.

9/8/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today was the first day of the semester. The syllabus was distributed and reviewed. The students also filled out a survey about their artistic experiences, which we discussed as a group.

Homework- None

For next class 9/15/10- Bring your pad of 18"x 24" drawing paper, pencils, and eraser. The subject for our exercises in contour line will be shoes, so I recommend that you bring a spare shoe with you, or you may have to draw one that you walked in with.

Welcome to the Fall 2010 Semester

This is the blog that I have created for my classes at Kean University. To make things easier to follow, posts for my Introduction to Art class (FA 1000 09 Wed 11:00 am) will be made with red text, while posts for my Two Dimensional Design class (FA 1100 02 Mon 9:30 am) will be made using blue text. Posts that are meant for both classes will use black text.

I will use this blog each week to post information about the classes. I will include a description of the projects done in class, homework assignments, due dates, and will include photos of examples of completed projects if available and applicable. I will also list the art materials needed for the following week's class. The title of each post will include the date and name of the class. About a month's worth of posts will appear on the main page, but earlier entries will be available in the blog archives.

Certainly this blog will be very useful for any students who miss a class, but it will also be helpful for students who never miss a class, but just want to verify due dates, or need a reminder of what to bring to class. It's available to you 24/7 to provide those basic answers. If students still have questions that can't be answered by the blog, you are all welcome to e-mail me directly, and I'll probably get back to you within a day.

5/5/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today was the final day of the semester. We started with a group critique of the box projects, and the class filled out evaluation forms. I dismissed everyone while I graded all the box projects, portfolios, museum papers, and any late arriving work from the semester. Most students returned for their work, and what wasn't reclaimed was moved to the counter in the back of the room. Students received the grades for the 3D final project (the box) and the portfolio, along with anything else graded.

Final semester grades will be made available on Kean Wise when all spring grades are posted.

4/28/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today was a general work day for the class. Some students worked on their final projects, while others worked on some back projects that needed completing. We also took some time to look at some late arriving comic strip projects.

Homework- The 3D box project is due at the beginning of class on May 5, 2010. Those who have not yet turned in their comic strip projects and museum papers must bring them to class next week to get credit for them.

For next class 5/5/10- Our final class meeting. Bring the final 3D project, the semester portfolio of all other artwork (see the post from 4/21/10 for the list), and anything else that needs grading, such as the museum paper. All work will be critiqued, graded, and returned that day.

4/21/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we looked at finished comic strip narrative projects from students who had finished them. We also looked at the history of sculpture, from prehistoric through the present. After that I gave the information about the final 3D project.

How to make this up- The project is based on the box sculptures of Joseph Cornell, open front boxes with some kind of theme. Above and below are some student examples from previous semesters. Additional examples, including one I made, and the details and specifications of the project can be found here.

Homework- This graded project is due at the beginning of class on May 5, 2010, which is also the last day of our class for the semester. Projects will not be accepted after that date.

Students who did not turn in their comic strip projects or who haven't printed their collograph plates yet should bring them next week.

*******Spring Semester Portfolio***********

These class art projects are all part of the semester portfolio. The portfolio grade is based mostly on completion, so you want to have all of these done for final grading. The listed dates are when you'll find details on this blog about each project.

1/27/10 Contour Lines (shoes)

2/3/10 Negative Space (chair and bottles)

2/17/10 Value (charcoal)

2/24/10 Mosaic Collage (magazine paper image)

3/3/10 Color Wheel and complement pair mix

3/10/10 Rhythm (abstract compositions to music)

3/24/10 Photography

3/31/10 Texture (monotype print)

For next class 4/28/10- This will be a general work day for students to work on anything related to the class. That can be the new 3D box project, finishing the comic strip or anything from the portfolio, or even working on the museum paper. Bring in whatever supplies you need to work on whatever you plan to do during the class.

4/14/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we did a variety of art related activities. Students printed their collograph plates, as in the example above showing the plate and the resulting print. While the printing was being done, everyone worked on the comic book projects that were started last week. We also took some time to look at examples of everyone's results from the photography project. Finally, we walked over to the CAS Building, where we saw a new themed exhibition called "The Veil."

How to make this up- Those who missed class today or did not have their photos and/or collograph plate should bring them to class next week.

Homework- The comic strip personal narrative graded project is due at the beginning of class next week, April 21, 2010. This is a graded project, so there will be grade penalties for late work.

*******NOTICE******

Someone left his or her 18"x24" pad and some other supplies in a bag at the gallery in the CAS building today. That someone should return there as soon as possible to reclaim it.

For next class 4/21/10- We will critique all the comic strip projects and begin talking about the semester's final project, involving sculpture. Bring your completed comic strip, pencil and paper (either your 18"x24" pad, or a sketchbook or notebook.)

4/7/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we started the first graded art project of the semester. We began by looking at slides of art with a focus on narrative- telling stories in direct, metaphorical, or symbolic ways. I also showed slides and actual examples of the completed project, an autobiographic comic strip told with symbolic characters, further examples of which are shown above. We also took some time to look at the graduate student art show currently in Howe Gallery on the 1st floor of our building.

How to make this up- The assignment calls for you to make an autobiographical comic strip, telling a true story of something that happened in your life. It should be 12 total panels over 2 sheet of your 18"x24" paper. Full color, using your pastels. You and all the other characters need to be represented by symbolic items relevant to the story or the people involved. On the first day most students got as far as choosing a story, working out the 12 steps of the story, and creating symbolic characters. Students who missed class today should do that much before the next class. Next week you will be given time in class to work on the actual drawing, as individual students print their collographs. For more details about the assignment and some supplementary material, click here.

Homework- The completed comic strip project is due at the beginning of class on April 21,2010. Like all individual graded work, points will be deducted for work turned in late.

The photography assignment is due April 14, 2010.

For next class 4/14/10- We will continue work on the comic strip project and print the collograph plates started last week. We will also take some time to look at the results of the photography assignment. Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil and eraser, pastels, completed collograph plate, and your photos.