Scare...spook...FRIGHTEN!!!

 Calliope, our amazing student literary magazine, is in need of some CREEPY or seasonal art (for those that don't feel like being creepy or spooky).  Create a work of art out of any medium and submit photos of your work to Mr Matthiessen.   I will be happy to take photographs of your artwork if I receive it by September 30th.

All of my classes will get extra-credit for any quality artwork that is created for submission.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS OCT. 1

Drawing Ellipses

Intro to Drawing and Painting

Now that you are becoming more observant and have completed gesture drawings and contour drawings we will start creating three-dimensional images by adding values and thinking about perspective.   A good place to start is by drawing cylinder-like objects,  We will be focusing this week on creating representational drawings of cups and flower pots, paying close attention to where the light hits the objects and how highlights, core shadows,  reflected light, and cast shadows create depth on a two-dimensional surface.

Sketchbook Assignment:  Draw 3 objects that are elliptical.  Focus on the value changes that will help you make your drawing have depth.

View the link below  to a wonderful tutorial on drawing ellipses:

http://sibleyfineart.com/tutorial--draw-ellipses.htm

 



small object, LARGE DRAWING

Advance Drawing and Painting

 

Now that you are all back in the drawing mode it is time for a challenge.   Your goal will be to find a very small object to observe and draw VERY LARGE.    The drawing you create will be monumental, in that it will portray your object as “massive”, creating drama. 

A part of this project is going to be about setting the stage for your object.  You will be given a shoe box, a flashlight, duck tape, scissors, and paper.  These materials will help you create a strong light source on your object.  

A photo of object may help you see the values.

Study the shadows, mid-tones, and highlights of your object to see how they relate to the form.   Observe the surface of the object and think about ways you will be able to draw its texture.   Begin by drawing a study of the object in your sketchbook.   Near your sketch describe the reasons you chose the object.  Does it carry any symbolic meaning for you?  Were you interested in the texture or shape of the object?  You should be compelled to create the large drawing, so be invested in the object you choose.   After you have completed your thumbnail sketch decide if you would like to crop your object when you blow it up. 

Your Final Grade for this project will be based on:

·    Completion of thumbnail sketch that accurately represents the proportions and values of the object.

·    Written statements in sketchbook that reflect upon the process of creating this work of art and your thoughts on how you used the elements and principles of design to create your piece.

·    Composition of final charcoal drawing. This includes use of negative and positive space and how the placement and cropping of the object creates movement  and interest  in the piece.

·    Quality of work.  Neatness and the accuracy in which the object was drawn large scale.

Sketching Shells

 

Advanced Drawing and Painting

Some of you may have been drawing consistently since the last time you were in drawing class...that probably isn't the case with everyone.  Let's take a couple of days  to sketch a shell.  Hold the shell of your choice in your hand You should be beging by feeling the texture of the shell. Notice the proportions of the shell. Place your shell on a white piece of paper.   How does the light source create highlights and shadows? Notice the varied values used in these drawings to create the illusion of depth and texture.

Study your shell.  Observing the object you are drawing is crucial.  Take your time, settle in.  There are many ways to begin a drawing.  You could very quickly draw a light sketch representing the "skeleton" of your shell using shapes.  You could choose to draw gesture-like lines to represent the overall shape of the shell.  Another option is to create a contour drawing of the shell.  What are you comfortable doing?  Try beginning in a variety of ways it is up to you.   You can start to add darker values after you feel you have the shape of your shell represented correctly on the paper.

In a couple of days you should have a few sketches of the same shell in your sketchbook.  You will be becoming familiar with drawing again.  If for some reason you are advserse to drawing a shell today I have brought a bin of other objects in to choose from.

All images were acquired from the internet for educational purposes. 

Intro to Photoshop, Creative Self-Portraits

Designing for the Web

student work

The first lesson in Photoshop will help you learn some basic tools and functions of the program, while creating self-portraits applying the 5 color schemes you already are familiar with. 

Creative Self-Portraits using Photoshop Lesson

Looking at Edges, Contour Drawing

Intro to Drawing

Last week in class we warmed up to drawing again by doing several gesture drawings.  The quick lines that we drew are quite the opposite of what we will be doing when we are creating contour drawings. We will look carefully at the edges of our subject and draw slowly.

Mona Brookes, author of Drawing for Older Children and Teens, writes:

"By following what appears to be the outline edges of an object, you can create an impression of it.  Contour Drawing is a style of realistic drawing, but it doesn't capture the kind of three-dimensionality that you can achieve with shading."

Below notice the way Pablo Picasso uses a line to represent most of the edges of the figure below.  He tried to keep the correct proportions and successfully portrays the physical characteristics of the model.  Learning how to create contour drawings is a fundamental skill that all artists should develop. Your in class assignment is to create several contour drawings of your hand. 

We will also try a couple Blind Contour drawings.  This is when you draw using one continous line and do not look at your paper. something without looking at your paper using

Sketchbook Assignment:  Do 1 contour drawing of your foot and two drawings of whatever you like:  Due Wednesday 9/12





Contour Drawing



Outline