11/14/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we printed the completed woodcut blocks, all of which are shown above. While that was going on, everyone started a new graded project relating to color temperature.

How to make this up- This graded project requires you to use your acrylic paints to mix up to 200 different colors. The colors should be painted as 1" squares, which will be cut out and arranged in grids of 10 squares by 10 squares. You will create two such large squares, each representing one of the seasons as determined by temperature- the perception that any given color feels warm or cool. For example, a large square made up of all warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) would signify summer. A large square with a mix of warm and cool colors could represent either spring or autumn. Below are two examples from a previous semester. Additional examples and the full directions can be found here.

Homework- This color temperature graded project is due at the beginning of class on November 21, 2011. Those who did not bring in their block today should complete it as soon as possible and bring it to class.

For next class 11/21/11- We will critique the color temperature projects as a group and then start a new graded project involving specific color combinations. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, acrylic paints, brushes, palette, etc. You will also need a black and white photo to base the project on, so either bring one of your own or I'll have the pile of magazines to pick through again.

11/9/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we finished our time with ink wash, with students doing a graded drawing. Drawings were collected at the end of class, and will be returned graded next week.

How to make this up- Today's set up was a large leafy plant hanging within a wooden tripod easel. Find your own potted plant and some kind of stand. If you don't have a stand, put the potted plant on a wooden chair. The room should be well lit, from either daylight or lamps. Draw the plant and stand/chair at 100% scale (if a leaf is two inches long on the plant, it should be about the same size on your paper) on your 18" x 24" paper, including as much of the subject as will fit on the page. The page can be vertical or horizontal. Use pencil for a contour sketch, then complete the value drawing using ink wash. Try to match the values of the leaves, stems, flowerpot, and stand as closely as possible. Take a photo of the plant to bring in along with the drawing. Above and below are examples from previous semesters.

This is a graded project, so the longer it takes for you to turn it in, the more points will be lost.

Homework- Find 3 leaves from 3 different species of tree (maple, oak, birch, etc). The leaves can still be green, or have turned fall colors. Arrange the leaves on a piece of white paper, so that they overlap each other slightly. Do an ink wash drawing of the leaves in your sketchbook, at a scale where the leaves will mostly fill the page. (you may sketch in pencil first) Rearrange the leaves and draw with ink a second time. Rearrange again and do a third ink wash drawing.

For next class 11/16/11- We will start a new medium, conte crayon. Conte crayons are a little harder than charcoal, so they are easier to control, though a little more difficult to blend. They also come in colors besides black. Bring both black and red crayons, along with various erasers and your 18" x 24" pad, and we will do some portfolio exercise still life drawings.

11/7/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started our study of color. We talked about the physical properties of color, the materials used to make pigments, and how it's used in art. Students then did a series of portfolio exercises related to basic color theory.

How to make this up- The class did three portfolio exercises involving basic color theory. They produced a color wheel, a complement mix, and a series of tints and shades of a single hue. Above are two examples from previous semesters. The full directions to complete these exercises, and additional examples, can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- The completed wood block is due at the beginning of class on November 14, 2011.

For next class 11/14/11- Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, all painting materials (acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container), scissors and glue. We will print the wood blocks and start a new graded project about color temperature.

11/2/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we opened with a short group critique of the charcoal drawings done in class last week. After that we looked at a few slides of art done in the medium of ink wash- drawing ink that has been diluted with water to make washes of various gray values, and applied to the paper with brushes. Then students did two portfolio exercises involving ink wash drawing.

How to make this up- Set up a still life as in the examples shown above and below. Put a small box on a table, and hang a white or light colored cloth so that it covers the box and creates a backdrop behind it as well. Find two white or light colored objects to act as your subjects, and light with a direct light source to create patterns of light and shadow. Make some ink wash by putting some water in a disposable container (cup, can), and add a few drops of your drawing ink. Test the resulting ink on a piece of scrap paper to see how dark it is. Then do the following drawings:

1) Place one of the objects on the cloth covered box. Do a simple contour line sketch of the set with light pencil on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper. Use the ink wash to start filling in values to match the values seen in the still life. Brushes designed to use with watercolors work best for this material. Add ink to your wash a few drops at a time to create darker washes. It's best to work from light values toward dark values. Continue until all the values in the still life are reproduced in your drawing. Spend about 90 minutes working on it.

2) Place one of the objects on the cloth covered box, and the second one in front of it. Draw with pencil, then ink, as in the first drawing. Spend up to 2.5 hours working on the drawing.

These are portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the end of the semester in order to receive credit. However, because we are doing a graded project involving ink wash next week, I strongly recommend you complete these before next Wednesday for the practice.

Homework- Set up a still life in the same manner as listed in the section above. Use two white or light colored objects of similar size, with one on the box and one on the table near it. Do an ink wash sketch of it in your sketchbook. Switch the objects and draw it again, for a total of two pages.

For next class 11/9/11- We will continue with ink wash, using it to do a graded drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" paper, pencil and eraser, drawing ink, brushes, and water containers. Students have the option of using a piece of watercolor paper of similar size if they wish to purchase one on their own.

10/31/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we officially started working on the woodcut black and white book illustration project. I distributed pieces of wood to everyone present. We took a tour of the printmaking studio down the hall, and I gave a demonstration of safe and effective ways to cut the block with the x-acto knives that everyone has. Most of the day was spent working on the compositional designs, first on paper, then on the wood. Most students started cutting the blocks by the end of the day.

How to make this up- You can't start drawing on the block until you get one, but until then you can start working on your idea. The blocks are about 8" x 6". Work up design ideas (can be vertical or horizontal) on paper for a black and white composition. I suggest that you complete your best design in black marker, to get a good sense of how it will look when printed in black ink. Above are some recent student examples of the project. For additional examples and specifics regarding the assignment can be found here.

Homework- The completed wood block graded project is due at the beginning of class on November 14, 2011. On that day I will help everyone print their woodcuts during class while people are working on another project.

For next class 11/7/11- We will begin our study of color. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, acrylic paints (red/yellow/blue/black/white), brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.

10/26/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we did two things- the final charcoal drawing of the semester, and the first half of the semester portfolios were graded and returned. The charcoal drawing were collected and will be returned graded next week.

How to make this up- Set up a still life. Put a medium size box on a table, with a smaller box on the table in front of it. Drape both boxes with a white or light colored cloth. Arrange 4 objects of similar size on and around the the two boxes- two white or very light colored, two darker colored. Shine a direct light source on it to create strong patterns of light and shadow. Draw the still life on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper using the charcoal of your choice (vine or compressed), paying attention to our usual concerns of the shapes of objects, proportions of objects, spacing, perspective, and matching the values of objects and drapery as closely as possible. Spend up to 5 hours working on it if you need to. This is a graded project and must be completed as soon as possible.

If you haven't had your 1st half portfolio graded yet, bring it in as soon as possible.

Homework- Find a pumpkin, either whole or carved as a jack-o'lantern. Draw three different views of the pumpkin, one per page in your sketchbook, using your softest pencil, paying attention to the specific values of the parts of the pumpkin, any attached or cast shadows, and if it's carved, either the dark or light within.

For next class 11/2/11- We will begin our study of value drawing using ink wash. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, black drawing ink, watercolor brushes, water containers (cups, cans, etc), and pencil and eraser.

10/24/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we spent most of the class working on our third graded project of the semester, our last charcoal value drawing. The last hour of the class was spent looking at slides of the history of printmaking (including some contemporary work) and student examples of the woodcut project that we will start next week.

How to make this up- For the charcoal drawing, you will have to set up a still life grouping similar to those from last week, except this time there will be some darker colored objects in the mix, as in the above examples. You may use your choice of vine or compressed charcoal. After showing the printmaking slides, I discussed the nature of next week's project and how to prepare for it. Information about the print project and full details for the charcoal drawing can be found here.

The charcoal drawing is a graded project and must be completed and turned in as soon as possible to avoid losing too many points.

Homework- No new drawing is required, however I suggest that you come up with a literary source for your illustration project next week, and bring it with you if possible. If you find yourself inspired, feel free to start thinking about image ideas for the print. Anyone who still owes any back work would be advised to work on it this week, as there will likely be homework every week beginning with next class.

For next class 10/31/11- Bring some paper for sketching (can be your 18" x 24" pad or a smaller sketchbook), pencil and eraser, black markers, and x-acto knife. I will distribute wood and demonstrate how to cut a block, and everyone will work on their illustration projects.

10/19/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we continued our study of value drawing with charcoal, using both vine and compressed. What was different today was that we added into the still life some objects and drapery that were not white, so that we had to deal with the local color values in addition to the effect of light and shadow.

How to make this up- Set up a still life grouping. Place a box on a table, and drape with one white or light colored cloth, and one dark colored cloth, arranged so that parts of both are visible. Find four objects of similar size, two of which are white or very light colored, two of which are a solid color (medium or dark). Use a direct light source to light the set up. Then do the following drawings on your 18" x 24" paper, paying attention to shapes, proportions, spacing, and value of the objects:

1) Vine Charcoal- Arrange the two white objects and one dark object on and around the draped box, and draw the set up using vine charcoal. Unlike last week, do not fill the page with charcoal first, but instead draw with the charcoal on white paper. In class students spent about 90 minutes on it. Make sure to spray it with fixative when you are done.

2) Compressed Charcoal- Replace one of the white objects with the other dark object, rearrange the three objects, and draw again, this time using your compressed charcoal. Students in class spent about two hours working on it.

These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by October 26th (next week) to receive credit.

Homework- Put a box on a table, drape with a patterned cloth (stripes, checks, etc), and shine on it a direct light source to create strong light and shadow patterns. Arrange on and around the box two white or light colored objects, and two solidly dark colored objects. Draw the set up in your sketchbook using a soft pencil (6B or 4B), matching the light and shadow. Rearrange the objects and draw it again. Do a total of 2 sketches of the still life, one per page.

********Midterm Portfolio Collection**********

The midterm portfolio (all drawings done in class except the graded pencil line still life) for this class will be graded during class time on Wednesday, October 26th. If you have not missed any classes and did all the drawings we did in class each day, you're all set. If you missed any classes, the following list covers what I expect to see, and the dates that each can be found on this blog. All September exercises are in pencil, the October drawings are charcoal.

9/14/11- Contour line exercises (shoes and hands)

9/21/11- Reductive line drawing (bamboo)

-Contour line drawing (bamboo)

-Negative space drawing of chair

-Still life group of bottles

9/28/11- Two point perspective (room corner)

-Still life of boxes and cans

10/12/11- Value studies of all white objects (vine and compressed)

10/19/11- Value studies of mixed value objects (vine and compressed)

For next class 10/26/11- We will do our final charcoal drawing of the semester. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, your charcoal of choice, appropriate erasers for the charcoal, and spray fixative. Also bring the midterm portfolio art.

10/17/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started our study of charcoal value drawing. We started by looking at some slides of art from the classical period to the present, observing how artists have used value (light and dark) to suggest volume, space, location, and time of day in two dimensional artworks. After that the class worked from a still life, doing two charcoal drawings.

How to make this up- You will need to set up a still life of white or light colored objects, light it with a direct light source to create light and shadow patterns, and draw it with each type of charcoal. Full details of the assignment and additional student examples can be found here. These are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester for credit, however I recommend doing them before next week for practice, especially if you've never worked with charcoal before.

Homework- Nothing new, but if anyone still owes their stipple drawing or pencil line still life, they should try to get them in as soon as possible to avoid losing too many points.

For next class 10/24/11- We will continue charcoal drawing, doing our next graded project, and then discuss the next medium we'll try after that- the woodcut print. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, charcoal of choice (vine or compressed), erasers, and spray fixative.

10/12/11 Drawing 1

Today's Class- Today we began our study of value in drawing. We looked at about 40 slides of historical art (classical through the present), seeing how artists have used value (light and dark) to build form, and imply volume and space in a 2D artwork. Then I set up a still life with simple white painted objects and a direct light source to create patterns of light and shadow. The class did two drawings of it, using different types of charcoal and approaches. With all value drawing, the goal should be to eliminate contour lines from the final drawing, in favor of edges (hard or soft) of shapes. Dark and light are relative terms, with any given shape being lighter or darker than the shapes that surround it.

How to make this up- Set up a still life like the one we used today. Put a box on a table and loosely drape it with a white or light colored cloth. Find three white or very light colored objects and arrange on and around the box. Shine a direct light source (such as a desk lamp) on the still life to create strong light and shadow patterns. Then do the following drawings in your 18" x 24" pad. As we've done in the past, pay attention to the shapes and proportions of individual objects, the proportion of one object to another, the spacing and perspective of objects, but now also add the specific values (shading) of the objects. Rearrange the objects between drawings.

1) Reductive Drawing with Vine Charcoal

Use a piece of the vine charcoal to completely coat a sheet of your paper. Blend it to achieve a consistent tone, as dark as you can. Then use your kneaded eraser to do the drawing, erasing out the light shapes in the composition. If you erase too much or need to change the location of an object, just use the charcoal to darken the area again and continue the drawing. Students spent about 1 hour working on it. When finished use spray fixative (preferably outdoors) to keep the charcoal from coming off the finished drawing.

2) Compressed Charcoal Value Drawing
On a new sheet of your 18" x 24" paper, draw the set up using a piece of compressed charcoal on the blank white paper. (do not fill the page with charcoal like the previous one, as compressed charcoal does not easily erase) You may use a piece of vine charcoal to sketch out the basic shapes, but use the compressed stick to complete the drawing and for all the shading. Compressed charcoal sticks to the paper better than vine, which means you can spend more time adjusting the values of specific parts of the drawing, but it is much more difficult to erase. An eraser will lighten it, but you'll never get that area white again. Spend up to two hours working on the drawing. Using spray fixative on a compressed charcoal drawing is not as vital, but it is recommended.

These drawings are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the midterm portfolio grading on October 26th to receive credit, but I recommend doing it before next week for practice, especially if you have little or no experience with charcoal.

Homework- Set up a small still life like the one we used today. Put a box on a table, drape with a white or light colored cloth, and arrange 3 similar sized white or light color objects on and around the box. Light with a direct light source to create strong light and shadow patterns. Draw the set up in your sketchbook using your softest pencil (6B works well, but 4B will do), paying attention to all the previous concerns, but now also matching the values in the still life. Rearrange the objects two times, drawing the results each time, for a total of 3 drawings of the still life grouping.

For next class 10/19/11- Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative. We will continue our study of value drawing with charcoal.

10/5/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today the class did the first graded project of the semester, a still life drawing of a variety of objects, similar to the student drawing above.

How to make this up- You will need to set up a still life grouping of your own. Specific instructions can be found here. The class was given the whole period to work on it, so you may spend up to 5 hours on it if you want. This is a graded project, so complete it as soon as possible- the more weeks that it's late, the fewer points you will receive.

Homework- Place a small box on a table, and loosely drape with a cloth (towel, sheet, etc) in a way similar to the still life groupings done today. Choose 3 different types of objects of similar size, put one on top of the box and the others around or in front of it. Draw the set up using pencil- line only, no shading. Use the whole page in your sketchbook. Rearrange the objects (swap the one on top for one of the others) and draw again. Rearrange with the 3rd object on top and draw one more time. Total of 3 drawings, each with the three objects.

For next class 10/12/11- We will start our study of value in drawing, working with charcoal. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative. Charcoal is very messy, so I suggest not wearing any light colored clothing.

10/3/11 2D Design

Today's Class- We began the class with a critique of the stipple drawings that were due today. Those drawings were also graded and returned. Most of the class period was spent working on our second graded project of the semester, a pencil line still life of assorted objects.

How to make this up- The full instructions for this assignment can be found here. This is a graded assignment and must be made up as quickly as possible.

Homework- Nothing new, but anyone who needs to make up today's assignment or still owes the stipple drawing should bring them as soon as possible. The longer the delay in turning them in, the lower the resulting grade will be.

********No Class on October 10, 2011*********

************Columbus Day Holiday*************

For next class 10/17/11- We will start our study of value. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative. I advise wearing dark colors, as charcoal is messy.

9/28/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we focused on perspective in drawing. We looked at a few slides of how perspective evolved in western art, then did two portfolio exercises that made use of different aspects of perspective.

How to make this up- For each of the following exercises, use one full 18" x 24" page, and draw with the pencil of your choice, line only- no shading.

Two Point Perspective
I discussed different aspects of two point perspective with the class. I used the chalkboard to quickly demonstrate how the process is used to show the exterior corner of a building or similar rectilinear solid. Then I had students return to their seats and distributed a handout with an example of how two point perspective can be used to draw an interior corner of a room and objects within. I had everyone choose a corner of the room to render in two point perspective. At the top of this post is a photo of one corner of our classroom, and below that is a student drawing of that same corner in perspective.

If you are familiar with the process, you can make this up by choosing a corner of a room where you live and draw it in two point perspective. The corner should include a door, a window or other large shape on a wall (framed picture/mirror/poster/etc) and one piece of rectilinear furniture by one of the walls. If you have never drawn in two point perspective before, I suggest you wait to make this up until after I give you the handout and go over the process with you.

Natural Perspective
After the lunch break I put together a couple of still life groupings like the one shown in the photo above. Each had a table, a few rectangular boxes and a variety of cylindrical forms, all at different eye levels. Instead of using two vanishing points, I just asked everyone to draw the set up accurately, paying close attention to the shape and proportions of each object, the relative position of each object (using negative space to find this), and to the specific angles of the box sides and shapes of the cylinder tops. Without a perspective system, it's up to the artist to make sure every line and shape are correct.

To make this up on your own, place a large box on a table, and put two smaller boxes and two cylinders (cans work well) on and around the large box. Draw the whole set up, including the table. Draw exactly what you see, paying attention to the exact shapes of each box surface (top and sides), the shapes around each object, and the relative position of each part of the objects to the other objects.

Both of today's drawings are portfolio exercises that must be made up by the midterm portfolio collection (October 26th) to receive credit, but I recommend completing the box and can drawing before next week as practice for our graded still life project next week.

Homework- Put a box (such as a cereal box, cracker box, or something of similar size) on a table, place two cans on it, and two around it. Draw the set up with pencil line on a full page in your sketchbook, paying special attention to the exact shapes of the box and curves of the cans. Draw the set up from two additional angles (you may rearrange the cans if you like) two more times, for a total of 3 drawings of the set up.

For next class 10/5/11- We will do the first graded project of the semester, a line still life with a variety of objects. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.

9/26/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we started our study of line. We began by looking at slides from the history of art, seeing how artists have used line for various purposes. Then the class did a series of portfolio exercises related to contour lines and negative space.

How to make this up- The class did the following exercises. These should all be done in your 18"x 24" pad using the pencil of your choice. You may put multiple shoes on a page, as in the examples shown here.

Contour Line
The morning was spent drawing from shoes as a way of exploring different aspects of contour lines. The full details of the assignment and student examples can be found here.

Negative Space
After lunch we did a few exercises relating to negative space, the common term for the space around and between the shapes of drawn objects, figures, etc. For the full details and additional student examples, click here.

All of today's drawings were portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the last day of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- the stipple drawings (dots) begun in class last week are due at the beginning of class on October 3, 2011.

For next class 10/3/11- Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser. We will be doing a graded still life project involving line. Also bring the completed stipple drawing and the original photo that it was based on.

9/21/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we continued our work with line, doing a series of portfolio exercises dealing with gesture, reductive drawing, and negative space.

How to make this up-

Gesture/Reductive
I set up a still life in the form of a freshly cut stalk of bamboo, complete with leaves. If you don't have that exact thing, you can substitute another type of plant, a small tree, or a part of a full size tree.

For the first exercise, divide a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper into 8 equal sized boxes. Carefully observe your subject, and draw it in pencil using exactly 32 lines. With those lines, try to sum up the overall movement and the character of the smaller branches, leaves, etc. In the remaining 7 boxes, redraw the same branch, with all the most essential information, but with an ever smaller number of lines- 28, 20, 16, 12, 8, 4, 1. Above is an example from today. About an hour was spent on this exercise.

Next, on another sheet of paper, using pencil line, draw a portion of your branch, this time at life size scale (if a leaf is 3 inches long on the plant, it should be about 3 inches long on the paper), filling the page. Spend about an hour on it. Above is a student example from today.

Negative Space

After the lunch break the class did two more portfolio exercises related to negative space. To learn the specifics and see student examples, click here.

All of today's drawings are portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the midterm portfolio grading to receive credit.

Homework- Set up a grouping of 4 similarly sized bottles (all wine bottles, soda bottles, salad dressing bottles, perfume bottles, etc) on a tray or something else easily moved. Draw the still life using pencil line only, paying attention to sizes and shapes of each individual bottle, along with relative size and location of each bottle compared to the others. Rotate the tray or change your viewing position 3 times (so that the bottles remain in the same relative position to each other, but you see it from different angles) and draw it each time in your sketchbook, one view per page. Total of 4 pages, with 4 bottles per page.

For next class 9/28/11- We will continue our study of line, with an emphasis on perspective. Bring your 18"x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser. A ruler or other straight edge will be helpful.

9/19/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we began our study of two dimensional art with the most basic unit of mark making- the point or dot. We did one portfolio exercise and started the first graded project of the semester.

Wallpaper Exercise-

Students were asked to mark a sheet of their 18" x 24" paper into thirds with a pencil. In each of the three sections students created patterns made from dots, using various sizes of black markers. The patterns could be pure geometry, or form recognizable images. Like wallpaper, the dot patterns must repeat at least once from top to bottom. The class spent about 45 minutes on it. Above is a student example. This is a portfolio exercise, and must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Stipple Drawing

We also started a graded project, a drawing made from nothing but tiny dots, also known as a stipple drawing. Each student chose a black and white photograph of a three dimensional scene (person/landscape/interior/etc). The composition was first sketched in pencil, then dots from the ultra fine point marker are used to carefully match the values (light and dark) from the original photo. In the above student example, the original is on the right, and the drawing on the left. The drawing can be reproduced at exactly the same scale as the original photo, or a small piece of the photo can be enlarged. For full details of the project and further examples, click here.

Homework- The completed stipple drawing project, along with the original photo, is due at the beginning of class on October 3, 2011.

For next class 9/26/11- We will begin our study of line. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and eraser. Part of the day will be spent drawing from shoes. Since we don't have enough to give one to everyone, each student will be responsible for providing his or her own shoe to draw. You may bring an extra one with you or be prepared to remove on from your own foot.

9/14/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today we started our study of line, dealing with various aspects and applications of contour lines. We did a series of portfolio exercises involving shoes and hands.

How to make this up:

A) Shoe exercises

The class did a series of exercises involving contour line drawings of shoes, as in the photo above. For the full directions and additional examples of the assignment, click here. Complete all the exercises there as directed.

B) Hand exercises:

Students spent the last part of the class doing a series of drawings of their own hands, as shown in photos above and below. Do the following line drawings on a sheet of paper in your 18"x 24" pad. Use the pencil of your choice, and draw the hand that you're not using to hold your pencil. Spend about 15 minutes on each one. Carefully consider all the proportions, spaces between your fingers, and significant surface features (nails, creases, etc) and try to make it look as much like your exact hand as possible.

1) a drawing of the back of your hand, held upright with the fingers slightly spread.

2) a drawing of the front of your hand, held upright with the fingers slightly spread.

3) a drawing of your hand from the side, hand slightly closed.

All the drawings done in class were portfolio exercises, which must be made up by the mid semester portfolio review.

Homework- In your small sketchbook, do the following line drawings in pencil, one per page, at a size that generally fills the page. Just line, no shading.

5 drawings of a shoe (can be all the same shoe or different ones), using exterior contour lines, and include the basic structures visible on the surface. As with the ones done in class, pay attention to overall proportions, as well as relationships of height to length, relative position of structural elements, etc).

1 drawing of a hand holding a shoe, any position you want, with the same level of detail as the hands done in class.

For next class 9/21/11- Bring your 18"x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser. We will continue our study of line, with a special emphasis on negative space.

9/12/11 2D Design

Today's Class- Today was the first meeting of our 2D Design class. The syllabus was distributed and reviewed with the class. I also distributed and explained a museum based assignment that students will do on their own time before the end of the semester. Then I had students fill out a survey about their artistic interests and past experiences, which we discussed as a class.

Homework- none

For next class 9/19/11- We will start our study of 2D art with the most basic mark, the point or dot. Bring your 18"x 24" pad of drawing paper, pencil and eraser, and both the ultra fine point black markers and the larger permanent marker. One of the projects will be based on a photograph, so students are asked to bring in a black and white photograph to base a work on. The photo should have a wide range of light, medium, and dark values, and a subject that you feel comfortable drawing. I will have a pile of magazines with some suitable photos in them, but you'll save a lot of time if you bring your own.

9/7/11 Drawing I

Today's Class- Today was our first class meeting. The syllabus was distributed and reviewed. We also went over the museum assignment for the class, including the Feldman analysis. Then the students filled out a survey of their artistic interest and past experiences, which we discussed as a class.

Homework- none

For next class 9/14/11- We will start our study of contour line. Bring your 18"x24" pad, assorted pencils, and eraser. Part of the time will be spent drawing from shoes. Since I don't have enough for the whole class, I suggest you bring an extra shoe to draw from, or be prepared to remove one that you are wearing.

Welcome to the Fall 2011 Semester

This is the blog that I have set up for the use of my classes at Kean University. To keep things from getting confused, information specific for my Two Dimensional Design class (FA 1100-02, Mon 9:30 to 3:15) will be posted in blue text, while information for my Drawing I class (FA 1230-01 Wed 10:10 to 3:55) will be posted in green text. Information that applies to both classes (such as this introduction) will be in black text.

After each class meeting (usually in the evening) I will post information about the class. That will include details about what was done in class, including a description of the project and photos of student examples if available and applicable. I will also include due dates for any homework, as well as a list of materials required for the following week. The post for each day will include the name of the class and the date in its title. About a month's worth of postings will be seen on the main page, but entries from earlier in the semester will be available through the archives on the right.

The blog was created specifically for those who miss a class for whatever reason- you can see what went on and maybe even catch up before you return to class. But even those who never miss a class find it useful, to get a reminder of when a project is due or what to bring to class. It's available 24/7, without having to wait for a reply e-mail from me. Of course, if you have any questions that can't be answered by what you see here, you are welcome to e-mail me and I will usually get back to you within 24 hours.