Intro to Flash

Designing for the Web

Flash is used to create short animations and are used often to enhance a website.  This lesson will introduce you to Classic Tween, Motion Tween, and Motion Presets. It will also help you become familiar with the layout of the Flash program.

Intro to Flash Assignment

Stunning Self-Portaits

Advanced Drawing and Painting

A couple of students decided to create a self-portrait using watercolors.  They both handled the medium beautifully.  It is very difficult to create a painting that isn't overworked.  It takes a lot of patience and restraint.  Nice work.

Self-Portrait in progress by Clare H

A blow dryer is used here to help dry the paint before the next wash is added.  Painting in progress by Jane B.

Inspiration is Everywhere

Advanced Drawing and Painting 

At a recent teacher workshop I was given a hand-out that contained a lot of information.  As the speaker presented I was looking over the hand-out and spotted words that resonated with me.  I underlined these words, drew designs around them, and began to doodle pictures that came to mind.  My doodling helped me better understand what the speaker was trying to get across and I was inspired to create a collage.  I first ripped and cut the words out from the hand-out then I used mod-podge (acrylic gel medium) to glue them to Bristol board.  I then began to layer pastels, mixing them with mod-podge.  The piece was spontaneous, like a doodle. Try this for a sketchbook assignment-you can add photographs, use marker, pastel, ink...etc.  Over the next week think about words your hear or see…maybe you will be inspired by words in a song or during a lecture in school. 

A book I find inspirational is:
Unfurling, A Mixed-Media Workshop with Misty Mawn: Inspiration and Techniques for Self-Expression through Art. The collages below are examples of her work.  Her work is multi-faceted and so much fun to look at.  I especially enjoy the way she incorporates a still-life into this collage.

Collage by Mysty Mawn

Collage by Mysty Mawn

Abstract Journal Entry

Advanced Drawing and Painting

There are different degrees of abstract art but most tend to take realistic imagery out of the picture focusing more on color, lines, space without reference to literal images. View the paintings below. They all move away from reality. Mark Rothko's color field painting is pure abstraction while Willem De Kooning's expressionistic painting gives us a glimpse of a figure.   Which painting do you find intriguing?  In your journal describe the painting thoroughly. Does it evoke an emotional response?  What do you think is the meaning of the painting?  Finally, write a brief description about the artist and his life.



Wassily Kandinksy



Barnett Newman



Franz Kline



Jackson Pollock

Robert Motherwell

Mark Rothko

Cy Twombly

Willem De Kooning

Abstracting from a Still-Life

Advanced Drawing and Painting

Notice how a portion of this photo was cropped to make an interesting composition.  When planning your abstract painting refer to the principles and elements of design.  Which principles and elements are you going to concentrate on? Look below at the caption under the abstract image to see how elements and principles of design are used to describe the work.  Create a thumbnail sketch of your abstract painting to work on the composition. 










Depth is created by having an object in the lower-left portion of the composition.  There are different values and lines on the garlic that help create the form of the garlic.  The lines on the garlic create a pattern and movement.    The negative space in the lower-right leads you into the center of the image.  There is a dark area of negative space in the background which adds interest and contrast again creating depth.   The different textures on the negative and postive space adds interest.  The cast shadow brings you into the center , meeting the light mass (hill-like shape), that leads your eye to the back...thus creating movement.

 

Surrealism in Photoshop

Designing for the Web

Now that you have completed your research on Surrealism and are familiar with Photoshop, it is time for you to create your own unique work of art.  Your artwork could make a statement about a global issue or you could focus on something more personal.  Some students in the past have created light-hearted works of art and others delve into more somber issues...it is totally up to you.  We will be animating this photoshop image in Flash so think about ways you will add movement and sound in the future.  The images you see below all include the artist...you can be in your art as well. 
Please read the Surrealistic Lesson Document for more details on the assignment.

Jamie G 2011

Walter K 2011

Josh D 2010

Paintings in Progress

Advanced Drawing and Painting

Students have created a still-life by finding assorted objects they felt compelled to paint.  After setting up their objects in an arrangement they photographed the composition adding an artifical light source when needed.  They then completed a thumbnail sketch (to make sure they could accurately draw the objects in proportion).  Finally, they drew a light sketch on their watercolor paper and began to add the lightest values. 

Surrealism in Photoshop

Designing for the Web

Surrealistic works of art create a dream-like environment. To learn more about this art movement research this intriguing style of art...then start thinking about an image you can create in Photoshop.  Complete the following journal entry on Surrealism and view previous student work for inspiration.

Surrealism Journal Entry

Created by Luke S

Created by Tim O.

Created by Brandon M.