Street Art

Advanced Drawing and Painting

Art expresses the human experience.  It tells a story about us. Check out these creative street artists  and choose one that expresses something you can relate to. Write about what you find intriguing about the art.  I really love the one above because it reminds me of being a child. I love the monumental size of the hands-someone might think, just for a second that someone is casting their shadow on the wall.  An unexpected surprise! 

Street Art Utopia Gallery

Please write a formal critique of the two pieces you have chosen. Follow the steps below:

1.   DESCRIBE:  What do you see?  What are the most obvious elements of design? What is going on or what action is taking place?  Elements of Design:  line, texture, shape, color, space,  (there are more, but refer to these)

2.   ANALYZE:  How have the Elements been arranged into Principles? What are the principles doing?  Is there a storyline?  Principles:  Balance, contrast, emphasis, harmony, movement, rhythm, pattern (there are more but refer to these)

3.   INTERPRET:  What are the ideas, emotions or aesthetics being communicated to you? What do you think the meaning of the ART is, what is it trying to say to do or say to you?   Context of Art: Time and Place; Social/Economic/Political/Spiritual Setting; Mood or Emotion qualities; Life and expertise of the Artist.

4.   JUDGE:  Is the art work visually pleasing/aesthetic?Would you say the art achieved its goal for you or the artist?  Is the work well crafted?

(modified excerpts from,  “The Art of Seeing”)

Intro to Drawing and Painting 

http://ada-adriana.deviantart.com/art/pastels-151556066

There are many ways to create a painting using pastels. This resource will really help you understand many techniques and necessary tools needed when working with pastels. 

Pastel Painting Techniques

Fall Still-Life

Intro to Drawing and Painting





This still-life is symmetrical (formally balanced), related by subject, has a variety of textures,
and the choice of colors create harmony.



A still-life is a grouping of inanimate (not moving or living) objects, arranged as a subject or reference for a work of art. Now that you are getting back into the swing of things after finishing your value charcoal drawings it is time to explore color!  You will be creating a pastel drawing of "seasonal" objects.  We will be taking into consideration how we arrange our objects to create an aesthetically pleasing and visually balanced still-life.  Below is a great definition of balance in art to help you better understand the concept.
 
"Balance can be symmetrical ("formal"), where elements are given equal "weight" from an imaginary line in the middle of a piece. For the most basic example of symmetry, think of your eyes in relation to either side of your nose.
Balance doesn't necessarily mean symmetry, though. Asymmetrical ("informal") balance occurs when elements are placed unevenly in a piece, but work together to produce harmony overall."

This still-life is asymmetrical, informally balanced. http://www.musicfromsalem.org/specialevents.html

Links to resources to help you learn more about balance and composition:

http://www.studiocodex.com/composition01.html

Arranging Objects for a Still-Life

Rule of "Thirds" and Tips on Composition Doc.

Working with Pastels

When I use pastels the most challenging thing for me is to keep it neat.  I tend to rest my hand on the paper (not a good idea) or I accidentally put something on the paper and it creates a smudge or mark.  The good thing about pastels if applied in light layers you can create depth and richness without damaging the tooth (surface texture) of the paper.  You can also deal with most "mistakes"  if you begin with planning your composition carefully by working it all out with thumbnail sketches.  There are many ways to create a pastel painting.  I will demonstrate a few in class but I would also like you to view the blog below. It shows examples and descriptions of the process the artist went through while creating her pastel painting. 

 

Here is a link to view the entire blog: 

http://www.artshow.com/apow/demo.html

Under drawing (blueprint)

Foundation (blocking in color)

Construction, building and layering color

Finishing Touches

Here are a couple other informative links:

http://ctpastelsociety.com/aboutpastels.html

http://www.artshow.com/apow/demo.html