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.