Titus Kaphar

This weekend I read an article about Titus Kaphar an artist that resides in New Haven.  In the article he is described as an artist that is, "initiating a contemporary dialogue".   I would like you to discover how his artwork does just that.  Your goal is to look into the life and work of Titus Kaphar. Tell us something about his life and his art.  Choose a painting you find captivating and tell us about it.  I would like you to use the elements and principles of design in the description of his work.  In your sketchbook describe the painting you chose, including the size, media, and year it was painted.  Write why you chose this piece and if you know why it was painted by Kaphar.  We will begin the discussion on Wednesday April 27th.  Email me the image you chose so I can have it ready to view on Monday also print out a copy to keep in your sketchbook.

Titus Kaphar's Website

Gotta Love Music!

BBC MUSIC

I could keep watching this over and over again!  

Express Your "SELF"

Advanced Drawing and Painting

Clara Lieu, “Self-Portrait No. 31″, from ”Falling“

Sometimes an artist puts everything into
a series of works of art. The artwork carries the essence of the person with it. An artist that does just that is the inspiration for our first project (it will be a difficult one). We are going to jump right in draw a self-portrait that has expression. 

Clara Lieu an artist and Professor at Rhode Island School of Design created a series of expressionistic self-portraits that are executed so perfectly (if there is such a thing as a perfect work of art).  

Take a look. In your sketchbook write your reaction to her self-portraits. Which one do you like the best and why? I also want you to look up some creative self-portraits and put the links of them in the comment area of this post. 

Lieu's self-portraits

The human face is universal, that is obvious, but drawing it a certain way is not. In this drawing lesson you will have many challenges, from  drawing your facial features in proportion to developing a creative idea and composition.  Ask yourself what you need to work on when it comes to drawing facial features.? Does the idea of drawing yourself make you excited or scared (or a little bit of both)?  No worries, relax and take the steps needed to make your drawing YOURS.  Planning, practicing, and being thoughtful about the process will help you be successful!

Steps to take:

·         *Draw your features separately and as a whole face.  Practice, Practice, Practice. This will count as a sketchbook grade.

·         *View styles of self-portraits, including the ones on this hand-out. See how other artists have approached this idea. Take to the web and search for images of self-portraits. Share your favorite with the class.

·         Design a composition that is interesting and that focuses on the mood you want to get across.  There has be an identifiable mood (at least by you and hopefully the viewer).  3 different approaches of your ideas should be sketched for a grade.

·         Do a gesture or contour drawing the actual size you plan on making your piece.  No smaller than 12 x 18 will be acceptable.

·         Work on drawing by building up values and focusing on each mark you make.  This is a long-term project and you should take your time, enjoy the process.

·         Complete a self-reflection in your sketchbook after  the class critique.  This important step allows your think about what you feel successful at what you need to work on. 

As an outcome of this lesson you will: ·         Generate and conceptualize a unique self-portrait that expresses a mood and/or expression that is personally meaningful.  (NCAS  Anchor Standard 1 and 2/Investigate, Plan, Make) ·         Demonstrate skills and techniques in drawing  (NCAS Anchor Standard 3/Reflect, Refine, Continue) ·         Critique self and peer work  (NCAS Anchor Standard 7/Perceive) ·         Identify the characteristics of self-portraits by Frida Kahlo and Clara Lieu Project Requirements: ·         Sharing research and ideas with peers. Partaking in group discussions exploring various concepts with classmates.  Sketchbook:  Example of one self-portrait done by an artist that you find intriguing, to share with class. ·         Three thumbnail sketches of alternate concepts for drawing. ·         Completed drawing (see separate rubrics) ·         Completed self-reflection ·         Participating in final project critique. Vocabulary:  value, contrast, proportion, cropping, space, depth, texture, emphasis, craftsmanship, persistence

Summing it up…

As an outcome of this lesson you will:

·         Generate and conceptualize a unique self-portrait that expresses a mood and/or expression that is personally meaningful.  (NCAS  Anchor Standard 1 and 2/Investigate, Plan, Make)

·         Demonstrate skills and techniques in drawing  (NCAS Anchor Standard 3/Reflect, Refine, Continue)

·         Critique self and peer work  (NCAS Anchor Standard 7/Perceive)

·         Identify the characteristics of self-portraits by Frida Kahlo and Clara Lieu

Project Requirements:

·         Sharing research and ideas with peers. Partaking in group discussions exploring various concepts with classmates.  Sketchbook:  Example of one self-portrait done by an artist that you find intriguing, to share with class.

·         Three thumbnail sketches of alternate concepts for drawing.

·         Completed drawing (see separate rubrics)

·         Completed self-reflection

·         Participating in final project critique. 

Composition with Multiple Tiles

Creating a work of art that incorporates multiple pieces that work together is a huge challenge.  How do you compose a design within a square or rectangle?  What subject should you use for an impetus for your tile design?  How can color enhance your design?  How do you cut away and add clay to create a low-relief sculpture?  How do you roll out a slab of clay?  

You will be required to create no less than 3 tiles. The examples above show tiles that are related to each other.  The  tiles you create  have to be related to each other (see examples).   A thumbnail sketch is required before you begin working with the clay. In your thumbnail sketch you should write down the colors you will be using and any extra materials you will be adding to your final piece. Think about the negative and positive space as you try to create a balanced composition.    Most importantly be invested in your work.

In relief sculpture you can cut the background away, add clay to the surface, or do both.  In low-relief sculpture there is little depth and the objects/designs are close to the surface.  Sometimes low-relief sculpture is called bas-relief. A coin is a great example of this.

When searching for inspiration do not copy a tile or design you see on the Internet.  Look for images that inspire you, but don't duplicate that image, create a unique image.  You can also use your surroundings or your feelings for inspiration.  Your tile can be based on something organic or not.  Less complicated lines and shapes will work best with the medium. Your short-term goal is to have an idea designed in the next few classes.  Please review the Sketchbook Rubric because your initial concept sketch should clearly communicate your idea and vision. As students are ready to begin working with clay I will demonstrate the techniques and methods pertaining to the lesson.

Vocabulary:

Balance: a feeling of balance results when the elements of design are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically to create the impression of equality in weight or importance.

Additive Sculpture: An additive process in art means adding material to the piece.

 Subtractive Sculpture: A subtractive process means subtracting material away from the piece. 

Relief: Form of sculpture in which the ornaments or figures are attached to a background, from which they stand out to a greater or lesser degree, being accordingly known as high relief or low relief ( bas relief ).

Rhythm/Movement: The use of recurring elements to direct the movement of the eye through the artwork.  There are 5 kinds of rhythm: random, regular, alternating, progressive, and flowing. The way the elements are organized to lead eye to the focal area.  Movement can be directed for examples, along edges and by means  of shape and color.

Harmony: The arrangement of elements to give viewer the feeling that all the parts of the piece form a coherent view.

Texture: The feel, appearance, thickness, or stickiness of a surface (for example: smooth, rough, silky, furry)

Spring Semester Schedule

Round Two-Second Semester begins!

So hard to believe half the year is over!  I am excited for the new semester. This semester I will be teaching Yearbook Publications, Advanced Ceramics, and Advanced Drawing and Painting.  Art Club is meeting on most Thursdays, check the website or email me for updates. 

Daily Schedule:

Period 1 and 2  Not in building

Period 3, 9:08-9:53 Advanced Drawing and Painting C14  Course Information

Period 4, 10:16-10:58   Yearbook Publications C16  Course Information

Period 5,11:02-11:44  Study Hall C16

Period 6,11:35-12:46  Advanced Ceramics C12  Course Information

Second Lunch

Period 7,12:50-1:35:Advanced Drawing and Painting C14 Course Information

Period 8  1:39-2:25   Prep Period

Add a Background in Dreamweaver

Now that you have gotten familiar with div tags and css styling lets do something simple.  Adding a background color or image behind the container div is a good idea.  It will add depth to your site and also frame your container.  I will add a long narrow gradient strip that is repeated.  This will take up less space in your site folder and will load much faster than a large photo of the same gradient.  

(25 px by 1500 px)

 At the bottom of the page you will find the page properties panel.

Choose CSS Appearance.  Select the background image in your images folder of your website, and repeat X.

Beginning Steps of Dreamweaver

As we begin to design in Dreamweaver there are crucial steps that need to be taken to make the website work properly. I will review each step every day but you must also take notes and refer to tutorials that are provided to help you understand the process.

We have already:

• "Defined" our site by directing Dreamweaver to our site (root) folder.  It is crucial to do this every day if your site folder isn't already in the files panel. 

• Made our home page by creating a file called index.html in the files panel.
• Learned how to create Navigation Buttons in Photoshop and insert them into our page. Insert>image object>rollover image.

Now we have to learn to insert Div tags, the boxes that organize our webpage. We will use html and css during this process.

Remember to:

• Insert a div tag by going to Insert Layout-Object
• Insert div tag at "insertion point" if it is the first tag to go onto a page like the container
• Insert div tag "after start of tag"  means "inside of".  Banner tag would be the first to go inside of the container so you would use "after start of tag" for the banner tag. 
• Insert div tag "after tag" means directly after another tag that is in the container so the next tag would be the navbar (after banner).
• Float tags left or right if they are lining up next to each other.  The next  divs would be content 1 and content 2...etc.
• After you place another tag after tags that are lined up next to each other (floated) you need to clear the tag in the properties panel.  A footer would be an example of this

Watch the following tutorials after I present if you need help and would like to review the process.  The way I am showing you to do things is just one way to create a page in Dreamweaver you will find many variations. 

Creating a Container Div

Using Floats

Using Clears

Ceramics Finale

Final Exam Project

Advanced Ceramics

The final exam consists of  three components:

·         Fabulous final ceramic piece 60%

·         Final formal critique 20%

·         Final reflection 20%

The FABULOUS final exam piece will be a ceramic project  of  your choice that shows the proficiency you have in hand-building...with a twist.  You should use the skills you have acquired to create a more elaborate ceramic version of a previous piece.  The twist is you must  incorporate the influence of an iconic work of art in your piece. 

 CLICK HERE FOR FINAL EXAM PROJECT INFORMATION

ICONIC WORKS OF ART