Super Hero Assignment

Last weekend my family and I watched “Kick-Ass 2”. The idea that regular people can be super heroes resonates with everyone. I’m not sure I like the violent vigilante message, but the thought that everyone can be a “hero” and make a difference is a great message.

Assignment:

1.    CREATE A NEW SUPER-HERO THAT WOULD DEFEND AMERICAN FREEDOM. Try not to “rip off” an existing comic book hero. Be creative!

2.    Name your super hero.

3.    If you were a super hero, what powers would you have? How did you develop your powers?

4.    What would be your story? Your Origin? (i.e. Superman comes from the planet Krypton.)

5.    You may choose to use a female or male character.

6.    Use a template or “impress me and draw the character yourself.”

Playing Card Lino Cut

Create a fantasy version of a playing card.

• Cartoons work best for subject, remember that it’s a portrait.
• Trace your image and transfer it to the lino.
• The working area is 4x5 inches in size.
• Carve out the areas that you want to remain white.
• Be extremely careful when cutting your lino. Always cut away from your hand. Use a “benchhook” for for safety!
• Make an edition of 3 perfect black and white prints. (C grade)
• Improve your grade by printing on colored paper, making mult-colored prints and offsets.

"New" Animal Scratchboard

If you could be any animal in the world, which would it be - a horse, a monkey, maybe a bear?

• Make a lost of your three favorite animals.
• Collect photo references for each animal. (3)
• Create your composite animal by tracing. Start with the main body and add different parts. (ie. antlers)
• Draw in an environment.
• Draw contour lines on the animal to assist in shading.
• Scratch out the outline of the objects.
• Shade using the crosshatching technique (other techniques can be used).
• Be careful when using scratch tools, they are sharp.

Example of "Hatching"

Example of Cross Hatching

Camera Drawing

Our final drawing will use Oil Pastels and be rendered much larger.

Procedure:

• Do a quick blind contour of the camera.
• Draw a simple line drawing on white paper.
• Draw your final image on large "Bogus" paper. The bogus paper and a rough tooth that will allow the oil pastels to adhere to it.
• You can blend the pastels with your finger, paper towel or a s "stump".
• Pay particular attention to the highlighted areas on the camera. 

Can Drawing

Circles drawn in perspective are "ellipses". By stacking ellipses you can create cylindrical objects. For this drawing you will select an energy or soda can and draw it with a cast shadow.

Some considerations:

• Each can consists of 4 stacked ellipses.
• Maintain a consistent angle when drawing the can. 
• Text should curve as well.
• Use "Greeking" for very small text.
• The shadow is the darkest area.
• Shading should curve with the shape of the can.

Shoe Drawing

Everyday objects are perfect for practicing your drawing. Our first drawing will be of a shoe. You may pick from the collection or use your own shoe. You will need to wear that shoe for several days. You can not draw from memory. You must have the shoe in front of you!

Drawing 1 

Start by doing a blind contour drawing. This is a loosening up exercise that will help improve your observation. Use newsprint. Remember to only look at the shoe and not your paper. The objective is to see all the detail on the shoe. Don't worry if it looks good. Here is my example.

Blind Contour Drawing

Drawing 2

Using an 12x18" piece of white drawing paper. Draw the show as a line drawing. Include all the detail. Try to draw the show as realistically as possible, but don't shade it.

Drawing 3

Your final drawing should be your best. You've drawn it twice already and know it's detail and proportions. Use  Prismacolor to shade it. You are not coloring! Different colors can be "built up" by blending one color over the other. Remember that dark areas appear to recede.

Shading Detail

Extraterrestrial Homework

Are we alone in the universe or do creatures and beings live in the far reaches of the galaxy? What would these creatures look like? Would they have bodies like our own, or would they be reptilian or insectoid? How would they live? What type of character traits would they posses: evil, compassionate, hostile, or congenial? What would their home world be like? Would their culture be dominated by males or females of the species? Are there males and females? We can only guess and wait for visitors.

The Assignment

Draw what you think an extraterrestrial would look like. Use color markers, pencils or even crayon Consider physical characteristics, the habitat the being would live in and the culture it lives in. Write a paragraph describing each of the areas. (Minimum of three sentences.)

The inspiration for this assignment comes from Barlowe's Guide Extraterrestrials.

Mr. Boccini's Alien 2015

Equilonians

Physical Characteristics:
The Equilonians are a humanoid species that exhibit qualities of earth horses. They stand approximately 10 feet in size on strong legs supported by a large hoofs. Their bodies are covered in coarse brown hair. Males often have distinguishing white spots on their backs. Their tall alert ears warn them of danger. They take special pride in their long flowing manes. The males will spend hours preening their mane in order to attract eligible mates. Their long snouts encase large carnivorous teeth that allow them to quickly devour their prey.

Habitat:
Equilon is a planet in the Xenon Solar System. It's surface is covered in tall grasses that sustain the many small animals the Equilonians use for sustenance. Most life is centered around the huge plains near the planets equatorial region. Water is plentiful.

Culture:
The Equilonians are a nomadic people. They live in small herds that move across the vast plains following their food sources. They live in temporary huts made from thatching long grasses. Each "herd" is lead by a matriarch on whose council the herd depends. Small herds peacefully coexist and gather annually for the "Great Dividing" where young males are mated with females from other herds. This ensures genetic diversity and strong offspring.