PORTFOLIOS ARE DUE MONDAY, DEC. 4

Portfolios are due this coming Monday. Check the tab above for the list of projects to include as well as the guidelines for assembling your portfolio. Yesterday the class began working on the final project. The instructions and examples for the project are above.

LINEAR PERSPECTIVE: Two Point

The class continued working on their two point perspective drawings. We will critique these on Wednesday morning before moving onto the final project. Portfolios are due next Monday, Dec. 4. The list is above.

LINEAR PERSPECTIVE: One Point

This morning class began with a critique of the color schemes project. These paintings are due on Wednesday. We also started to discuss One Point Linear Perspective with a slide lecture and demonstrations on the chalkboard.  On Wednesday, we'll get started with the first project employing linear perspective.

COLOR: Color Schemes

Alison

Students continued working on their color schemes project this week. The examples above illustrate the cool and warm monochromatic schemes. We will critique them first thing on Monday before moving onto Linear Perspective (bring: Bristol, pencils, erasers, rulers and pens).

COLOR: Color Schemes

Adin (work in progress)

Today the class continued working on the Color Schemes project. The painting above is a "work in progress" illustrating a monochromatic cool color scheme in green. In general these designs are most effective when a strong gradation is established.

COLOR: Color Wheel and Schemes

Today the class began working with COLOR. First, each student made a color wheel to gain an understanding of how to work with the paint and mix colors. The 12 step wheel above illustrates the three primary colors-red, yellow and blue, three secondary colors- orange, green and violet and the tertiary colors- yellow/orange, yellow/green, red/orange, red/violet, blue/green, blue/violet. We also began working on the Color Schemes project. The students drew the same symmetrical design on six pieces of paper to later be painted with a different color scheme presented in the class discussion.

VALUE AND SPACE: Atmoshpheric Perspective

Paprika (work in progress)

On Wednesday the class continued working on their atmospheric perspective paintings. We will critique these first thing on Monday before moving onto discussing COLOR. You will need black and white paint as well as primary red, yellow and blue.

VALUE AND SPACE: Atmospheric Perspective

On Monday the class began paintings employing the properties of atmospheric perspective. Using silhouettes, the paintings illustrate closed values addressing 10 different values; black, white and eight shades of gray. Somewhere in the design should be a value scale.

VALUE: Rhythm and Repetition

Dennis

Ismena

Sam

Today was the last class session for working on the "Rhythm and Repetition" project. The three drawings above have distinctive characteristics. Dennis' drawing illustrates three-dimensional shapes packed into the space. In addition, he has included a number of textural areas. Ismena's drawing has a whirling pattern of pinwheel like shapes as well as a stacked quality of rectangular elements. Sam's drawing illustrates an overall pattern of six values with the addition of larger clusters forming oval shapes hovering within the mass.

VALUE: Rhythm and Repetition

Gabriela (work in progress)

On Monday the classes finished their "Puzzle Parts" projects ending with a critique. On Wednesday we started our investigation into Value. The drawing above is an example of the first value project - Rhythm and Repetition. By tracing a stencil, students fill the paper overlapping and cropping the shape. A composition is then refined by erasing, moving and adding lines. Once the composition is  complete, flat, modulated and transparent values are subjectively applied to the shapes in a manner that establishes a value pattern through similarity.

THE PARTS OF THE PUZZLE

This week the class has been working on collages addressing composition. The objective is to create varied compositions using the same basic elements and colors in each. Notice in the arrangements above the adherence to "The Rule of Compositio," which is to have - One large shape, a few medium shapes and one or more small shapes. In addition, each composition above has the positive elements engaging in at least two sides of the format. This is critical for activating and creating visual interest in the negative areas of the composition.

MANDALA

Yesterday the students continued working on their Mandalas. We will critique these drawings first thing Monday morning before moving onto the collage project "Parts of the Puzzle."
As you finish these up pay attention to line quality and how it affects depth and placement in the design. In addition, try to achieve a balance and rhythm through similarity and repetition of black, white and gray shapes (patterns and textures). Below are a couple of progress shots.

Ciera

Ismena

MANDALA

This week students are working on creating Mandalas. The objective is to create a bold design of black, white and gray shapes. This project is the culmination of all the previous Line projects exploring line dynamic, pattern, texture and line as value. Below are some examples from previous classes.

LINE and VALUE: Parallel Line Drawings

The Rule of Line is "Dark Lines Advance, Light Lines Recede." When lines are repeated, they act more like Value in that "Dark Values Recede, Light Values Advance." The class made compositions using a limited number of circles, squares, rectangles and half circles. The objective was to create a value drawing of deep space employing continuous, horizontal, parallel lines. Students addressed the Distal Cues as well as the Principles of Design.

LINE DYNAMICS

This Wednesday the class made drawings exploring line dynamics and creating depth by employing the Distal Cues.

Juan

Juan's drawing is an example of asymmetrical balance. This is achieved by following one's intuition. Notice how the largest circles and those with the darkest lines appear to be closer. Thinner lines and smaller circles recede.

David

Jenifer

David and Jenifer's drawings are examples of symmetrical balance. Symmetry is achieved when the right side more or less "mirrors" the left (or top and bottom). David's drawing illustrates radio waves pulsing around a central form of cylindrical and round shapes. Again, notice the way darker lines and larger forms are used in the foreground diminishing in size as they recede to create a sense of depth.
Jenifer has created a very sharp and clean design. The diagonal lines recede to a location of the paper and the horizontal stripes of diminishing positive and negative areas re-enforce the depth.

LINE: Line Types

Emily

Stephen

Yesterday we began studying the characteristics of Line. First, we made drawings exploring different line types. The drawings above illustrate straight lines, curved lines, angular lines and jagged lines. We discussed how the changes in line quality will increase its weight and sense of volume, location in space and overall strength and intensity. Repeating lines can imply movement and energy as well as texture and value. In addition, we discussed the changing formats affects on proportion, location and negative space.

Ely

Katie

In the second set of drawings the class made compositions of 4 straight, curved and angular lines as well as compositions that combined all three. Again, with these images the change in line quality adds weight and dynamics as well as depth when thicker lines overlap thinner lines.

EXPANSION OF THE SQUARE

On Wednesday we discussed the five Art Elements and The Principles of Design (click above for details). Our project was one that explored the relationship of light and dark and more importantly Positive and Negative areas. Students began with a 5 in. square. The objective was to create a symmetrical design where the white areas mirror the black. The design was to consist of one large (dominant) shape, some medium sized shapes and a few small shapes.

Aidan

 Aidan's design exhibits a strong and visually interesting dominant shape flanked by spiral linear elements and minimal speech bubble-like shapes at the top and bottom.

Alex

Alex has created an insect-like design with a large, central, dominant diamond shape reminiscent of a mouth. The variously sized teeth shapes re-enforce this appearance. The medium sized shapes on the left and right are similar to insect arms and legs including a single claw. 

Jordan

 Jordan has created a design with many repeating triangles. Most interesting is how the angular edges imply a circle within the square.

Lexi

Lexi has very clearly used multiple sizes of shapes within her design. In addition, the shapes are illustrated as solids as well as outlined. Her design effectively employs Value, Shape and Line. 

FINAL PROJECTS

Below are some examples of the final project from this summer's class. The objective was to create a composition using a grid exploring pattern, texture, color and shape.

LINEAR PERSPECTIVE: Two Point

For the last two days the class has been working on Two Point Linear Perspective drawings. The above example is my demo drawing illustrating elements of this structure above eye level, below eye level and across it.

ONE POINT LINEAR PERSPECTIVE

Today the class began working on One point linear perspective drawings. We will complete this drawings in ink tomorrow and critique them before moving onto Two point linear perspective.

COLOR SCHEMES

Austyn

Jackie

Today we critiqued the Color Schemes project from last week. The two examples above are particularly well executed with bold colors, strong, contrasting values and symmetrical compositions, although Austyn painted hers asymmetrically.

VALUE PATTERNS: 3-D Space or The Illusion of Depth

Last Thursday and Monday the class worked on paintings with the objective of creating a three-dimensional sense of space. Students addressed and employed the Distal Cues to varying degrees. Jessica has created a beautifully crafted painting of a couple exiting a room and entering a deep, open landscape. The values and shapes are bold and well defined. She has skillfully balanced organic shapes against the stability of the vertical and horizontal shapes constructing the architecture.

Kimberly has very effectively used value to create very stark and dramatic lighting conditions. The image is reminiscent of a snow covered landscape illuminated by a crisp winter moon. The values are rich and clearly defined. She too has used the Distal Cues with great effect.

VALUE PATTERNS: Flat or 2-D Space

Alex

Austyn

This week we began exploring Value. Drawing from a still life, the class made continuous line drawings creating compositions of enclosed positive and negative areas. These shapes were then filled with "closed values" of black, white and two shades of gray. The objective was to establish a rhythm and movement through similarity of value and shape.

The Parts of the Puzzle

Gayle

Tai

Wednesday and Thursday the class worked on a composition project. The objective was to create a series of images using the same elements (line, curvilinear shape, rectilinear shape) and the same palette. Gayle's collages are bold and striking with large, powerful shapes and rich colors. The shapes move freely from foreground to background by overlapping shapes with the same color on different layers. Her compositions consist of sweeping arcs and rolling circles supported by stable vertical and horizontal structures.
Tai has created a very clean and minimalist series of collages. The images appear locked into place as though there were warning signs identifying an unseen hazard. On the other hand, there is also an air of surveillance and "Big Brother" suggested by the electronic roving eye illustrated by the centralized circles throughout the compositions.

MANADALA

For the past two days the class has been working on Mandala's. Anthony has created a beautiful design of puckered and bloated circles decorated with clear and varied patterns. Ben's drawing illustrates a crab-like form opening from the center supported by claw pincers or moon shapes. Furthermore, he has very skillfully rendered a variety of shapes and values.

LINE AND THE ILLUSION OF DEPTH

Briana

Malia

Last Thursday the class made line drawings using horizontal parallel lines. The objective was to create a 4 to 5 layered space employing the "Distal Cues." Briana's drawing is stabilized with a grid foundation in the background allowing the circular forms to float in space over the top. Malia's drawing exhibits a much tighter space. The edges of the forms are accentuated by drawing attention to the negative space between the shapes. In addition, the space illustrates a strong sense of light.

LINE DYNAMICS

Austyn

Hannah

Joey

Last Wednesday, the class made drawings exploring the characteristics of line. In the top series, the drawings employ line, shape and texture within symmetrical compositions. The composition below is an example of an asymmetrical composition. In addition, take note of how he has employed atmospheric perspective.

Omar