Space Concepts

The Use of Registers or Multiple Parallel Base Lines - The Egyptian idea of space was different from that of our Western Culture. Parallel base lines within the same picture plane give the effect of stacked panels and encourage the viewer to “read” the page from top to bottom.

(Weighing of the Heart of the Scribe Ani)

Fractional Representation - Common treatment of space in Egyptian Art. Fractional Representation incorporates the most representative aspects of the body. An example would be the treatment of the human eye on a profile in frontal view.

Relative Scale - When objects known to be of the same size differ in their scale it indicates a difference in their location on the spatial field. The larger objects appear closer. The smaller objects further away.  (Van Gogh’s Haystacks)

Hieratic Scaling - Often the importance, power or strength of the figure would denote its relative size in a composition. In Cimabue’s Madonna and Child Enthroned, as well as Giotto’s painting of a similar subject we see evidence of this technique. The Madonna and Child in both compositions appear much larger than the other figures.

Overlapping - Another way of showing space is the use of overlapping. When one object is placed in front of another the first object is assumed to be in front of the second object even if that object is of greater size. Christ covers the disciples in Masaccio's image The Tribute Money.

Foreshortening - The shortening of forms to achieve the illusion of extension or projection into space. The appearance of correct proportion is achieved by shortening forms in relation to the angle from which they are observed: the more acute the angle of observation, the shorter the forms. Therefore an arm extended toward the viewer would appear shorter than an arm stretched out overhead. Andrea Mantegna was a master of foreshortening. His subjects were often selected so he could solve difficult problems in foreshortening. (Lamentation over Dead Christ)

Aerial Perspective (Atmospheric Perspective) - Because of atmospheric conditions objects that are further in the distance have a decrease in clarity, intensity of color value, and relative texture. Think of the way mountains look in the distance, they have a hazy muted look while the hills in the foreground remain sharp. (A Cabin in the Woods, Thomas Cole)

Geometric Perspective - Is the artist principal system of creating the illusion of three-dimensional volumes existing in space. The Early Renaissance architect Brunelleschi is usually attributed in developing geometric perspective to a level of mathematical accuracy.

Horizon Line -In 'real life', the horizon is where the land (or sea) and sky meet. It is sometimes known as the “Eye Level”.

Vanishing Pt. - The place on the horizon line where receding parallel lines appear to converge.

Birds Eye View - A general view from above, or as if from above.

Worms Eye View - A view as seen from below.

Name in One Point Perspective

Objective: Draw your name in One Point Perspective and shade it to give it form and mass.

Materials:

• 12x18 White drawing paper
• Rulers
• #2 Pencils
• Erasers
• Eraser Shields
• Drafting Brushes

Procedure:

1. Draw your horizon line about 1 inch from the top of the page. (Horizontal orientation)
2. Draw a guideline for the top and bottom of the letters. 
3. Draw vertical lines showing the left and right of each letter. (leave about an 1/8 of an inch between each letter)
4. Draw guidelines to the vanishing point.
5. Complete the perspective on each letter.
6. Shade each letter. The front of the letters should be white. The tops should be a medium gray value and the sides a dark black.

Here is a YouTube tutorial that may help you understand how to draw this project.

How to Draw 3D Block Letters MOM in One Point Perspective

9 Squares Homework

Art Skills: Typography and calligraphy. Using line to create unique letter forms.

Supplies:

• 9 square drawing paper
• Black Sharpies
• Pencils

Procedure:

1. Pick a letter or number.
2. Draw the same letter or number in each box but make each one look different.
3. Challenge your creative thinking skills by brainstorming 9 different ideas for your letter/number.
4. Use outlines, contour lines, cross contour lines, Think about creating textures with line, Change line weights and line personality.
5. Draw in pencil first, then go over the image in black sharpie.
6. This will be graded on both technique and creativity. Make sure it is 40 minutes worth of work!

Create a Football Helmet Design

You are the owner of an new Arena Football Team. Design a Team Helmet/Logo.

• Use colored Pencils.
• More helmet worksheets are in the front of Room 42
• Include a Gylph ( a simplified image)
• Include a Logo (the phonic name)

Negative Positive Space Project

Utilizing the principles and elements of design that you have explored in the composition project, create a pleasing composition that incorporates negative and positive space. Have  fun with this assignment, but don't forget a good artist is also a good craftsman.

• Select an image that can be easily recognized as a silhouette.
• Direct reversals are ok, but try not to create a checkerboard.
• You may mix more than one image in your project. (ie. a quarterback and a receiver).
• Use color effectively. Your project must have contrast! Use complimentary colors or analogous colors. Think,? Why are you selecting these colors? "It's a pretty color" is not a reason.
• The design can be symmetrically or asymmetrically balanced.

Remember the elements and principals of design!

Elements: 

Line, color, value, shape, form, space, texture.

Principles:

Balance, unity, contrast, emphasis, pattern, movement, rhythm

Process:

1. Select your image
2. Measure the image. How many can you get out of a 12x18 inch piece of paper.
3. Cut the paper.
4. Use the tracing paper transfer technique to place your image on the construction paper.
5. Cut out with an x-acto knife. (Use and cutting board and always cut away from your hand.)
6. Assemble the design with a glue stick. (Use scrap paper to ensure that the glue stick covers your paper to the edge.)

Review the project presentation.

Composition Project

Lesson Objective:  To Make you aware of the entire picture plane and space that surrounds and object.

Composition:

“Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.”

The Picture Plane

 

In a painting the picture plane refers to the flat surface of the canvas or the physical material onto which the paint is applied. In our project the 9x12 construction paper is our picture plane.

You will create 6 designs which will produce the effect of :

1. Falling Motion
2. Rest/Calm
3. Tension
4. Rhythm
5. Balance/Stability
6. Importance

These are “Abstract” concepts, but they can be effectively communicated with simple shapes.

An example of "Importance"

Procedure

1. We will only be using 1x1” gray , white or black squares.
2. You must use a minimum of 6 squares or a maximum of 20.
3. Background paper can be gray, white or black.
4. Squares may touch the edge of the picture plane.
5. Except for “Falling/Motion” and “Tension”, all squares must be parallel to the picture plane.
6. You may use “ONE” colored square in “Importance”
7. Secure the squares with a glue stick.
8. Please label the back of each composition with the word it illustrates, and your NAME. Use a white pencil if your background is black.
9. You must complete all 6 compositions or you will receive a 55. (incomplete)

Some Last Thoughts

• Remember you can create any of the above effects not only with position, but with the color of the paper selected.

• Which neutral is restful? Gray, White or Black?

• You will want to use the “whole” picture plane. Avoid creating a “fish tank” composition. By having objects touch the edge, we create the illusion that something is going on beyond the edge of the picture plane.

• Avoid placing all the squares to the left or right. Think about how the image is balanced.
• Symmetrically
• Asymmetrically
• Radially

• Contrast creates tension. Which colors would you put together to create contrast.

• You can use one color square in your emphasis composition. Which color stands out the best?

Grading

I will be evaluating your work in three different ways.

1. Understanding - Do you understand the basic idea behind creating a balanced composition.? Does your image use the whole picture plane? Do objects float in the picture plane or does it appear that something happens beyond it?
2. Creativity - Do you use the obvious solution with a minimal amount of squares, or do you communicate your idea in a new and original way?
3. Craftsmanship - Is your work clean of glue and pencil marks? Are your squares correctly sized. (not rectangles) Have you correctly followed the project procedures?
4. 
   

Line Conversion Project

In this project we will explore the use of line by filling in an object with those lines. No outline will be used. The interior lines will create the illusion of and edge, an implied line.

Process:

1. Find an image that has many basic shapes in it. You can use a magazine image or look on the web. The image should be about 5x6 inches in size. Cars, cameras and other mechanical objects usually work well for this project. Avoid people and animals!
2. Trace our the image and include all the major shapes.
3. Transfer the image to a 9x12 inch piece of white oak tag.
4. Use a pencil to fill the shapes with some of the lines your created in the last project. Have your lines reflect the shape of the object itself. Do NOT OUTLINE any shapes!!
5. Ink over your pencil lines with India ink. Take your time. Make sure to hold the pen upright. Test it on a piece of scrap before moving to your work. Work away from the last area you inked.
6. Erase any pencil lines that are still showing. The lines inside the shapes will create an implied edge around the object.
7. Use a water color wash to add color.
8. Cut out the image with an x-acto knife and glue it down onto a contrasting piece of construction paper.
9. Sign and date your work.

First Sketchbook Assignment

Make sure your name is clearly marked on your sketchbook! Your first sketchbook assignments has two parts. Do Both!

1. Design a cover sheet for your sketchbook. Your cover sheet should tell me something about you. What do you do? What are your likes and dislikes? Make the image visually interesting by creating an area of strong emphasis where your eye is forced to go. You may us any medium you choose. Pencil, crayon, marker, collage and cut-outs etc. This assignment should take you at least an hour, it should be a worked up image not a sketch.
2. Select music that helps to create a dramatic mood. (something you like) Use markers, colored pencils, watercolors, etc. to create a design that reflects the energy of the song. It does not need to be realistic. Let the lines, colors and shapes express the feelings in the song. Think about how the views eye will move across the page.

25 Type of Lines

Material:

• T-square
• Triangle
• Masking tape
• 9x9 inch white drawing paper.
• #2 and colored pencils

Procedure:

1.  Using a T-square and triangle, square and tape your paper to your table. Use the corner of the table.
2. Divide the drawing paper into 25 equal boxes. Use your ruler as a "dividing stick".
3. Fill each box with 3 to 4 examples of different kinds of lines. Remember that lines can be created through repetition of objects that do not connect. These are implied lines.
4. Make sure your examples are not two close together so that they may appear as a visual texture. Leave plenty of space between them. (The lines are too close in the above example.)
5. Be creative, don't just repeat the same idea by changing the lines weight or color.

You will be using these lines in the next project!

Art Critique

The Starry Night, 1889

Vincent Van Gogh, 1853-1890

These are the questions you must answer in your essay. If you know which questions to ask yourself, you can easily write the essay. Just state the facts!

Description

1. The name of the artwork is ________.
2. The artist who created this work is _________.
3. Give a literal description of the painting. (In this painting I see a farmhouse with a mountain in the background.)
4. What kind of lines do you see. Describe them. (Short, choppy, flowing, fine, thick etc.)
5. What kind of texture do you see. Don't confuse the smooth texture of the paper with the visual texture of the painting. (Rough, smooth, pebbly, fuzzy etc.)
6. What kind of shapes do you see. (organic, geometric?)
7. What kind of colors does the artist use? Be specific. Is there a color scheme apparent in the artwork?
8. What kinds of forms do you see? Form talks about an object having height, width and depth. On a painting the artist creates the illusion of form by shading objects so they have solidity and mass. 

Analysis

1. How is the painting balanced?
2. Where are the light areas?
3. Where are the dark areas? (Contrast)
4. What is the first thing I see when I look at the painting. (Emphasis)
5. What king of space is used? (Deep or shallow? Is perspective used? Is the painting flat or two dimentional?
6. What do you see repeated in the art work. Which element of design is used over and over again? Texture? A particular color? (Rhythm and Repetition)
7. What particular element of design helps keep the art work unified?  (ie. The texture in a pointillism painting.)

Interpretation

1. Does the artist seem primarily concerned with imitating nature? This means he/she is trying to paint realistically.
2. Does the artist seem mostly interested in expressing a feeling or emotion? (The Scream)
3. Does the prime concern of the artist seem to be the elements of design. (Broadway Boogie Woogie)
4. Does the name of the artwork tell you about it's meaning or purpose?
5. Create a sentence that describes what you think is the meaning of the painting.

Judgement

The artwork is an excellent/good/ bad example of :

• Imitationalism (Highly realistic)
• Emotionalism (Makes the viewer feel a certain way.)
• Formalism (The subject is the elements and principles of design, usually a non-objective work of art.)

Does the artist exaggerate, distort or abstract the image?

I like or dislike the painting with a rational. ( A rationale is a reason. Stating your like or dislike of the painting.)Art

Studio Art Class Outline

I hope you all had a great summer vacation and are ready to make art with me in the coming year. Below you will find a course description and my classroom expectations.

Course Description

The visual arts program offers students comprehensive art experiences with detailed explorations in the classics such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, graphic design and crafts. In addition to gaining confidence and proficiency in working with a variety of mediums, students will learn about the history, analysis and interpretation of art.

Goal of Visual Arts Education

Art in school is both a body of knowledge and a series of activities. Fundamentally, learning in art has four major components. The goal of art education is the development of these areas:

·         Making art (art production)

·         Responding to and making judgements about the properties and qualities that exist in visual forms. (art criticism)

·         Acquiring knowledge about the contributions artists and art make to culture and society. (art history)

·         Understanding the nature, meaning and value of art (aesthetics).

What is expected of you?

Class Participation: Effective use of classroom time, constructive involvement in critiques, completion of all studio projects when required.

Two Main Rules!

•         Respect everyone! If you don’t have something good to say, don’t say anything!

•         When I’m talking, you’re listening. There is plenty of time to talk when you’re working. If I’m taking the time to speak to the class, it’s important.

Evaluation/Grading: Successful completion of all projects is a requirement for success. Incomplete project will receive a 55 grade. Upon completion of the work, it will be re-evaluated an a new grade assigned.

a.       Has the student demonstrated a good deal of effort in class?

b.      Does the student show enthusiasm? Is there a willingness to become involved with the work rather than simply have an attitude of compliance?

c.       Has the student made an effort to participate in class discussions?

d.      Does the student show good craftsmanship when appropriate?

e.       Does the student care about their work? Are presentation neat, bent, overly smudged, stained or dog eared?

f.       Does the student demonstrate good working habits?

g.      Does the student participate actively in clean-up?

h.      Is the student able to understand technical instructions?

i.        Does the work show and understanding of the assignment”?

j.        What is the aesthetic quality of the piece?

k.      Does the student put in extra time?

l.        Does the student show curiosity (urge to know) and perception (the ability to see, hear, and to feel and to translate these senses into the work)?

Quizzes/Homework Assignments: Short quizzes and sketchbook assignments will make up a smaller part of your grade. You will need an 11x14 spiral bound sketchbook. Always have a #2 pencil!

Final Exam/Project – There will be a final exam in this class. The breakdown of the grade will be 22% for each quarter and 12% for the final exam.

Policy for late work: Assignments should be completed during class time. If you need additional time, work can be completed after school.

Attendance: The school attendance policy is in effect.  On the 25^th absence you will lose credit for the class.

Clean-up:  I am a graphic artist by trade.  This means I’m neat. I like my classroom that way too!  Each table will be responsible for its own clean-up. Whatever supplies are used by our table are to be cleaned and put away by YOU!  Nobody leaves until I am satisfied the room is clean.

Bathroom: ONLY One person may go to the bathroom at a time. They must have an “official” signed pass.

Extra Help - Extra help will be by appointment.  I am flexible!!

Contact Information:

You can contact me via E-mail at: boccinim@mahopac.k12.ny.us

My phone extension at the High School is #11416

Assignments are posted in Infinite Campus. Examples each project will also be physically posted in Room 42.

Have a great year,

All the best,

Mr. B.