11/25/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight the project was a still life painting, which was worked on for the entire length of the class. Above are a photo of a similar still life set up and a resulting painting.

How to make this up- Set up a still life of your own. Put a box on a table, drape with a colored cloth, and arrange at least 4 solidly colored objects on and around it. The objects should be all different colors, from among this list: red, yellow, orange, blue, green. The cloth can be any color. Use a full sheet of your 18"x24" paper.

Homework- This still life project is due at the beginning of class on December 9, 2008. The specific color palettes project that we started last week is due next week, December 2, 2008.

For next class December 2, 2008- We will be starting our final project of the semester. Bring your painting materials, 18"x24" pad, pencil, eraser. You will also need a piece of matboard, about 20"x30" (any color) and a book with full color images from a favorite fine art painter, period of painting, or at least a general art history book. You will be basing the final project on a painting from the history of art.

11/25/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- We began by reviewing the comic strip projects that were due today. Then we looked at slides of the history of architecture from prehistoric to the present. Today's project was a two point perspective interior drawing, an example of which can be seen above.

How to make this up- To see an example diagram of two point perspective drawing, click here. I'd also like to remind everyone that the museum assignment is due on the last day of class in 3 weeks, so if you haven't been to a museum yet, it's in your best interest to go as soon as possible. For a review of the assignment and links to the museums, click here.

Homework- Those who did not turn in the comic strip project today should bring it in next week.

Next class December 2, 2008- Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, eraser. We will be starting the 3D final project.

11/18/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we looked at the completed season temperature collages, and then started a new graded project, involving specific color palettes, such as the above example.

How to make this up- Details and more examples of this project can be found here.

Homework- The specific color palettes project that we started tonight is due at the beginning of class on December 2, 2008. Those who still owe me the season project should complete it as soon as possible.

For next class November 25, 2008- Bring all your painting stuff- paper, paints, brushes, palette, water container, etc. We will start a new painting related project.

11/18/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we continued working on the comic strip projects that were started in class last week. See 11/11/08 for the details. At the same time, the collagraph plates were printed. We also took a trip to the gallery downstairs to see the print exhibition there.

How to make this up- Bring your completed collagraph plate into class as soon as possible, so it can be printed.

Homework- The completed comic strip projects are due at the beginning of class on November 25, 2008.

For next week November 25, 2008- Bring your completed comic strip, 18"x24" pad, pencil, eraser, and a ruler or other straight edge.

11/11/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we looked at slides of various paintings and discussed the general temperature of each. Then we started a new graded project relating to color temperature. For the details of how to complete this project (examples of which can be seen above), click here.

Homework- This color temperature graded project is due at the beginning of class on November 18, 2008.

For Next Class 11/18/08- Bring all your painting related materials. In addition, bring a black and white photograph that will be the basis of our next project. For those who don't have a photograph, I will have the usual pile of magazines to pick through.

11/11/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we began our first graded project of the semester, which is also our major 2D project. It's an autobiographical comic strip, using symbols to represent yourself and the other characters. For more details about the assignment, click here.

Homework- This graded 2D comic strip project is due at the beginning of class on November 25, 2008. The collagraph plates we started building in class last week are due November 18, 2008.

For next class 11/18/08- Bring all the materials needed to continue on this project (pad, pencil/eraser, pastels) and your completed collagraph plates.

11/04/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we took the class to a new location, down the hall to room 209, the printmaking studio, to enjoy the presentation by the guys from Drive By Press. They showed us some of their collection of prints from artists from around the country, including the giant mural print made by the guys from Cannonball Press. They also printed t-shirts for anyone interested from their supply of wood blocks. While they were printing, so were we, and the results can be seen above. We finished with a critique of all the prints.

Homework- None, but if you missed class tonight you must bring your block in next week to be printed.

For next week November 11, 2008- We will go back to our study of color. Bring in your 18"x24" pad, pencil, eraser, acrylic paints, brushes, water container, palette, and glue and scissors.

11/04/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides of the history of printmaking, from pre-Renaissance to the present. Students started building a collagraph plate, details of which can be found here. In addition, we looked at photos from the students and reviewed the research assignments that were turned last week.

Homework- The completed collagraph plate is due at the beginning of class on November 18, at which time they will be printed. Examples of printed plates can be seen above. Those who did not have their photos in class this week should bring them next week.

For next class November 11, 2008- Bring your 18"x24" pad, pencil, eraser, and pastels. We will begin our first graded project of the semester.

Prints Gone Wild NY/NJ

Drive By Press will be in the area for 4 days starting next weekend. Drive By Press is a mobile press that travels the country to bring printmaking to the masses. Learn more about them at their websites-

drivebypress.org and drivebypress.com


First this weekend they will be participating in Prints Gone Wild 4, at Supreme Trading in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. More than a dozen print studios from around the country will be there, offering prints and print merchandise for sale, everything under $50. The events are the opening reception and party on Saturday, November 1 from 6 pm to midnight, and the fair continues Sunday, November 2 from noon to 6 pm. Information about the location is available here.

Then the Drive By Press guys will come right to Kean University. They will be doing a print event at Vaughn Eames. First on Monday, November 3 from 9:30am to 3:00 pm (outside, weather permitting, or inside in VE 209), then again in VE 209 on Tuesday, November 4, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. All are welcome. During those times there will be prints on display, and the artists will talk about the history of printmaking and other arts topics. In addition, they will do demonstrations of relief printmaking and print t-shirts. Bring one of your own and they will print the block of your choice on it for $10. For an additional charge they will have blank t-shirts to be printed.

10/28/08 2D Design

Today's class- Tonight we looked at slides of art from prehistoric through the 20th century. Then the class did a series of exercises regarding color theory and color mixing.

To make this up- To see the details of how to do these color mixing exercises, click here. This is a portfolio exercise, to be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- The completed wood block is due at the beginning of class next week, November 4, 2008.

For next class November 4, 2008- Bring your finished block, 18"x24" pad, pencil, and markers.

10/28/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides of art, considering how the design principles of rhythm and movement were used in them. Then the class did a series of abstract watercolor paintings based on various selections of music that I played for the class.

How to make this up- To see more examples and learn how to make it up, click here. This is a portfolio exercise, so must be made up by the end of the semester.

For next class November 4, 2008- We will begin a collagraph print project. Bring some cardboard (about 8"x10"), assorted materials of a variety of textures, scissors, and glue.

10/21/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we spent the whole class working on the new woodcut book illustration project. To learn how to make this up, and see more sample images, click here.

Homework- The completed block is due at the beginning of class on November 4, 2008.

For next class 10/28/08- We will begin our study of color. Bring your 18x24 pad, pencil and eraser, all your paints and brushes, a palette, palette knife, and water container.

10/21/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we reviewed the history of photography, and a related assignment was distributed. We also took a tour of the building, seeing many of the other art subjects taught, and looked at an exhibition of photography on campus.

Homework- The photo assignment is due at the beginning of class on November 4. To learn the details, click here.

And remember, the research assignment on artists from a specific period of art history is due November 28.


For next class 10/28/08- We will do another painting project, so bring in your 18x24 pad and all your painting materials (watercolors, brushes, palatte, water container).

10/14/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we did one final charcoal drawing, this one as a graded project. Then we looked at slides of printmaking through history and discussed the upcoming woodcut project. To learn how to make up tonight's project, click here.

Homework- Students should choose a book that will be the subject of the book illustration woodcut project. The book can be a novel, short story, poem, or other literary work, including nonfiction. (no comics, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, or anything already thoroughly illustrated) You may want to think about what scene(s) you'd like to illustrate.

For next class 10/21/08- We will be starting the woodcut project. Bring your book, paper to draw on (a small sketchbook is fine, but may use your large pad if you prefer), pencil, eraser, markers, and your x-acto knife, which you'll use to cut the block. I'll provide the wood to you in class next week.

10/14/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides demonstrating the use and effects of color in art from prehistoric to the present. Then we did some exercises in basic color theory, making a color wheel with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and a complement mix.

How to make this up- The procedure is far too complex to explain here. I will provide a handout and an explanation next week to students who missed today. This is a portfolio exercise, so you'll have plenty of time to make it up.

Homework- Nothing new, but several students still haven't shown me their list of artists and artworks for the research assignment. The paper is due two weeks from today, on October 28th.

For next class October 21, 2008- We will be discussing photography and I'll be distributing a photo related assignment that you will be doing on your own time. We will not be working on any art projects in class, so you do not need to bring any art materials.

10/7/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides of art from Egyptian through contemporary, seeing how value was used to show form, space, location, time, etc. Then we did two charcoal drawings (one each with vine and compressed charcoal) from a still life set up. To learn how to make up this project, click here.

Homework- None, unless you still owe me a previous project- the dots or the line drawing.

For next class 10/14/08- We will use charcoal one last time, to do a graded project. Bring your 18x24 pad, your charcoal of choice, and kneaded eraser.

10/7/08 Intro to Art

Today's class- Today we looked at slides of Monumental Art, which I defined as 2 dimensional art that covers whole walls, ceilings, etc. Then we began a new project involving collage. To learn more about what we did, click here.

Homework- Some students still owe me their list of artists, artworks, or reference book for the research assignment. The artists and artworks can be submitted to me by e-mail or brought in to me next week.

For next class 10/14/08- We will be starting our study of color. Bring your large pad, pencil, watercolors, brush, palette, and a container for water.

9/30/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we held a group critique of all the dot drawings, which were later graded and returned. Then we did a graded project involving line, drawing from a still life. To learn how to make up the project, click here.

Homework- Nothing new, but if you have not yet turned in the dot drawing, or tonight's line project, bring them next week.

For next class 10/7/08- We will start our study of value. Bring your 18"x24" pad, vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.

9/30/08 Intro to Art

Today's Class- Today we looked at slides to see the use of value through the history of art. Our studio project was a value drawing of white objects using charcoal. To see an example and learn how to make up the assignment, click here.

Homework- If you haven't yet done so, you need to bring a list of your 3 artists and artworks, as well as a book you will use for your research, to class on 10/7/08.

For next class 10/7/08- Bring your large pad of paper, pencil, eraser, glue, scissors, and old magazines that you don't mind cutting up.

9/23/08 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we did various exercises related to line. After looking at slides of how artists have used Line, from cave paintings to the present, the class did various portfolio exercises making use of line.

We started with contour line exercises that used shoes as a subject. To review what we did in class, click here.

After the mid class break, we did some exercises involving negative space. To review what we did there, click here.

Homework- the dot drawings begun last week in class are due on September 30, 2008. Bring the original photo as well as your drawing.

For next class 9/30/08- Bring your homework, your 18"x24 pad, pencil and eraser. We will critique the dot drawings and do the final line project of the semester.