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 Types of Line

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.)

Studio Art Syllabus

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.