3/31/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at printmaking, a general category for art that is typically created in multiple exact copies from a fixed matrix, such as a carved wood block, an etched piece of copper, or a prepared silk screen. We looked at slides covering the history of printmaking from the Renaissance through contemporary art. Then students made collograph plates that will be printed in class at a later date.

How to make this up- Above are examples of printed student collograph prints. All are to be printed with black ink, though students have the option of adding color as in the second example. Full details as to how to create your own collograph plate can be found here. All the materials you need can be found around your home.

Homework- The completed collograph plate is due at the beginning of class on April 14, 2010. At that date the plates will be printed in class with ink and tools that I'll provide. The photography assignment that was distributed last week is also due in class on April 14, 2010.

For next class April 7, 2010- We will be starting the first individually graded art project of the semester. Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil and eraser, and your pastels.

Drive By Press Coming To Kean

The Fine Arts department at Kean will be hosting visiting artists Drive By Press on Monday March 29th and Tuesday March 30th. They are traveling printmakers, who ride around the country with a press in a truck doing printmaking events. As of now both days will be in VE 209 (down the hall from our classroom), but if conditions allow the Monday session to move outdoors, details will be posted on the door of 209.

On Monday they will be on campus from 9:30 to 3:00. They will be set up to do production- able to print any of their large collection of blocks onto t-shirts (bring your own or buy one from them) for a small fee, as well as talking about printmaking in general.

On Tuesday they will be doing a more traditional talk in VE 209, showing examples from their huge collection of prints and doing more printing if time allows. That will be from 5 to 8 pm. Photos from their last campus visit are seen below.

If you are going to be on campus during either of those times, I strongly recommend that you check it out. It's a unique opportunity to see some very interesting contemporary art.

3/24/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at the art of photography, beginning with early 1800's experiments through today, and showing some of the many ways it has been used during that time. I distributed a photo based assignment for the students to do on their own time. We also took a tour of the building, visiting most of the studios, and seeing the current Student Art Show.

How to make this up- The full details of the assignment are available on a handout I can give you in class next week. If you don't want to wait until then, or have misplaced your copy, the assignment and some student examples can be found here.

Homework- The photo assignment, including printed versions of all 20 photos, is due at the beginning of class on April 14, 2010.

I absolutely recommend going to see the visiting artists Drive By Press when they visit campus on Monday March 29th and Tuesday March 30th. I'll be posting details on the blog over the next few days.

For next class 3/31/10- We will be doing a printmaking related project, creating a collograph plate. Bring glue and scissors, and any found objects (natural or artificial) that have interesting textures and you don't mind cutting up and gluing. You can leave the big pad at home.

3/10/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we looked at the concept of rhythm as a visual element, in art from the Renaissance to the present. We then did an exercise in abstract painting based on the rhythms of various instrumental musics. We also reviewed the various art historical periods researched by the students and the papers were returned.

How to make this up- The full details of how to make up this assignment can be found here. The description includes 5 types of music. Choose 4 of them to do. This is a portfolio exercise that must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- Anyone who still hasn't turned in their research paper should do so next class. Each week that goes by lowers the grade it will get.

******* SPRING BREAK ********

**MARCH 15th to MARCH 19th**

For next class 3/24/10- We will discuss photography, and I'll give a take home assignment. After that we will likely participate in a special visiting artist event. You may leave all your art materials at home.

3/3/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we continued our study of color. We started by looking at slides of art from prehistory to the late 20th century with a focus on the development of color pigments and changes in how artists used color. We then began a portfolio exercise in basic color theory.

How to make this up- Above is an example of the two part exercise- a color wheel with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and mixing two complementary colors to create neutrals. There are too many steps in the process to list them all here, so I will make a handout available to students next week. It's a portfolio exercise, so it must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- Those who have not yet turned in their research assignment should bring it next week. Each week it is late means more points off.

For next class 3/10/10- We will continue our study of color. Bring back all the painting materials- 18"x24" pad, watercolor paints, brushes, palette, and some kind of water container.

2/24/10 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we looked at monumental art, which I am defining as large scale art that is usually part of the architecture of a building. We looked at examples from prehistoric cave painting to the contemporary, including a video showing the steps in creating a large outdoor mural from start to finish. Then while students worked on the day's art project I reviewed preparations for the research paper with those who needed it.

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How to make this up- Today's project was a mosaic style collage, an example of which can be seen above. For additional student examples and specific details, click here. This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up before the end of the semester.

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Homework- The research assignments are due at the beginning of class next week, March 3, 2010.

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For next class 3/3/10- We will begin our study of color with some basic color theory. Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, watercolor paints, brushes, mixing palette and a water container.

2/17/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we discussed the artistic concept of value, a term used to describe the relative lightness or darkness of elements in a composition. Value can be used to increase the illusion of space and/or volume in a two dimensional work. We looked at slides of art from antiquity to the present, seeing how value has been used over the years as a formal element. For today's art project, we did a portfolio exercise in charcoal drawing.

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How to make this up- To learn the specific details of today's art project, click here. This is a portfolio exercise that must be made up by the end of the semester.

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Homework- The research assignment is due at the beginning of class on March 3, 2010. Students who haven't yet provided me with a list of artists and artworks that they intend to use for their paper are advised to do so soon, either by e-mail or bringing them to class next week.

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For next class 2/24/10- We will do a portfolio exercise in the form of a mosaic collage. Bring your 18"x24" inch pad, pencil and eraser, scissors, and glue. You can bring in old magazines to cut up, or make use of ones I'll provide.

2/10/10 Intro to Art Snow Day

By now you all know that the university cancelled all classes today, so no meeting this week. Next Wednesday we will do what we would have done today, so bring the 18"x24" pad, drawing charcoal, and kneaded eraser. In class next week I'll let you know how this will affect the rest of the week by week schedule for projects. Deadlines for the research assignment remain the same, list of artists/artworks/book due 2/17/10, and the research paper to be turned in 3/3/10.

2/3/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we started by distributing and reviewing the research assignment. Students were shown slides of all the various periods of western art, and then chose their topics.

After that we did some drawing exercises involving the use of negative space. The first involved students drawing the spaces between all the wooden parts of a chair (top photo) which results in the form of the chair being revealed. The second exercise (bottom photo) involved drawing a still life group of bottles, drawing the positive bottle shapes but using the negative spaces between them to help with spacing, proportion, and making sure that the shapes were accurate. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- The list of 3 artists and an artwork for each one, as well as at least one book that you will use for your research assignment are due February 17, 2010. The research assignment itself is due March 3, 2010. Those who do not yet have their topics can contact me for options or choose something in class next week.

For next class 2/10/10- We will explore value (light, dark, shadow) using charcoal. Bring your 18"x24" pad, drawing charcoal, and a kneaded eraser. Charcoal tends to be very messy, so you are advised not to wear anything white to class that day.

1/27/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- In class today the museum assignment was distributed and reviewed. The specifics of that assignment can be found here. We then looked at slides from the history of art, focusing on the many uses and functions of lines in that work. The studio portion today was a series of exercises in contour line.

How to make this up- Students who missed today's class need to make up this portfolio exercise on their own sometime before the end of the semester. Details of the exercise can be found here.

Homework- None

For next class 2/3/10- Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencils, and eraser. I'll provide the subject for more exercises in drawing.

1/20/10 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today was the first day of the semester. I distributed and reviewed the syllabus. Students participated in a survey of previous art experience, which we discussed as a group. Most students purchased the textbook packet.

Homework- If you haven't yet purchased the textbook, bring $3 to class next week.

For next class 1/27/10- Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencils, and eraser. You will need a shoe for the contour line exercises, so either bring an extra or be prepared to use one of your own.

Welcome to the Spring 2010 Semester

This is the blog that I have created for my classes at Kean University. This semester I have two sections of FA 1000 Introduction to Art. Since the classes will be doing the same thing each day, these posts apply to both sections.

Each week I will be posting detailed information about what we did in class. This will include a mention of the kind of art we were looking at, a full description of the day's studio art project (with photos of student examples if applicable and available), homework assignments, reminders of due dates, and the list of materials needed for the following week's class.

The main purpose of this blog is to provide information to students who miss class for any reason. If you are absent, come here (information will usually be posted by late that evening) to see what you missed and get a head start on making it up. Or even if you never miss a class, but might need a reminder of when something is due or what to bring to class, this blog can be helpful. It's available to give you the answers to the most common student questions 24/7. Of course, if you have a more detailed question or need more information you are welcome to e-mail me directly and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible with the answer.

Final Grades of the Fall Semester

Final Grades for my Fall 2009 sections of Introduction to Art have been calculated and submitted to KeanWise. The grades should be available for viewing by students sometime after 4:30 pm on January 4, 2010.

12/16/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at all the 3D projects, and those and the semester portfolios were graded. Unclaimed work was put on top of the file cabinet at the back of the room. Final class grades will be available online in January.

Enjoy the break.

12/9/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today was a general work day for the class. Students worked on anything related to the class. Some worked on the Final Project, some on their papers, some on previous projects. We also looked at some late arriving comic strip projects.

Homework- The 3D Final Project is due at the beginning of class on December 16, 2009. Those who have not yet turned in their museum papers should bring them as well.

For next class 12/16/09- Our final class meeting. Bring your 3D box project, all the portfolio material, and museum papers. We will critique all the projects as a group, and I'll grade everything else that comes in.

12/2/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we started by looking at the comic strip symbolic narrative projects. We also reviewed the Thanksgiving Architecture make up assignment. We viewed slides covering the history of sculpture, from prehistory to the present. Finally we talked about the final 3D project, a Joseph Cornell style box. Previous student examples are shown above.

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How to make this up- Further student examples (and one from me), along with all the specifications, can be found here.

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Homework- This 3D Box project is due at the beginning of class on the day of our last meeting, December 16, 2009. Those who have not yet turned in the comic strip, or had their collograph printed, should bring those next week.

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For next class 12/9/09- Next week will be a general work day, meaning students can work on anything related to the class. Most will work on the box project, but you may bring in materials to work on any back project that doesn't involve any items from me (such as still life objects or music). Below is the list of all the portfolio exercises from this semester and the dates where they can be found on this blog:

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Contour Line Drawings (shoes) 9/19/09

Negative Space (chair and bottles) 9/23/09

Charcoal Value Drawing (white objects) 9/30/09

Cut Paper Mosaic Collage 10/7/09

Color Wheel/Color Mixing 10/14/09

Photographs 10/21/09

Abstract Compositions to music 10/28/09

Collagraph print 11/4/09

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Bring whatever materials you will need to work on whatever you plan to do during the class.

Architecture Assignment

The class meeting on Wednesday November 25, 2009 has been cancelled. The next class meeting will be December 2, 2009.

The following is a short assignment that you need to do as part of making up that day:

In whatever location you eat your Thanksgiving dinner (your home, relatives home, house or apartment, restaurant, etc) find examples of the following architectural elements and materials:

stone/brick
cast concrete
solid wood
plywood
post and beam/lintel
glass
structural steel/aluminum
electical motor
interior load bearing structure

These items should be permanently part of the house, used in its construction or otherwise attached to the structure of the house.

For each item, state where it is found in the building and what function it serves in the building. Write it up in paragraph form and bring it to the next class.

11/18/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides of architecture from prehistoric to late 20th century. Then the collographs were printed while students worked on their comic strip projects.

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How to make this up- Bring your collograph plate to the next meeting of our class, December 2, 2009. I'll take them to print at my studio and return to you the following week.

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Homework- The personal narrative comic strip project started last week is due at the beginning of class on December 2, 2009. The architecture take home assignment is also due on 12/2/09.

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For next class 12/2/09- Bring your completed comic strip project and some paper for sketching. (can be your big pad or a notebook/sketchbook) If you haven't brought your photos to class yet, bring them that day.

11/11/09 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we looked at slides of art that dealt with issues of narrative (story telling) and symbolism. We also looked at all the photos from the photography assignment. The first graded art project of the semester, a personal narrative in the form of a comic strip, was discussed.

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How to make this up- The assignment is to tell a true story from your life using symbolic characters to represent yourself and others in the story. Above are several examples from previous semesters. Today students were asked to consider what story they want to depict and what kinds of symbols they want to use. To see the specifics of the assignment, as well as some supplementary material, click here.

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Homework- This graded project will be due at the beginning of class on December 2, 2009. Students will be given time in class next week to work on the project while the collographs that we started last week are printed. Those who did not bring photos this week should bring them to class next week.

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For next class 11/18/09- Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, paper, and pastels. Also bring your completed collograph plate. (I'll provide the ink and tools to print it) While individual collographs are printed everyone else will work on the comic strip project.

11/4/09 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at the history of printmaking, from the renaissance to the present. Students started a new print related portfolio exercise, a collograph. Previous student examples are shown above. In class we started making the plates. Students will finish them on their own time and we will print them in class in a few weeks. We also had the oral presentations related to the recent research assignment and the papers were returned.

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How to make this up- Instructions for creating a collograph plate can be found here. You should be able to find everything you need around your home.

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Homework- The completed collograph plate is due in class on November 18th, at which time we'll print them in class, using ink and tools that I'll provide. The photography assignment is due in class next week, November 11, 2009. Bring prints of all 20 photos from the assignment.

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For next class 11/11/09- We will start the first graded art project of the semester. Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, eraser, and set of pastels.