Extraterrestrials

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.

Color Harmony and Repetition

1. Develop several simple 3x3 inch designs. The designs must be asymmetrical and have areas to place at least 3 different colors.  Your design should touch the edges of the square on at least two sides. Many people choose to create an image out of their initials.
2. Using a T-square and triangle, divide a piece of white oak tag into 16 3x3" squares.
3. Trace your design on a piece of tracing paper. Trace the same image on the back and use it as carbon paper to transfer your design on each of the 16 squares. Rotate or position each group of 4 squares to create different and unusual patterns. Use the four examples below.

Paint each group of four squares in a different color harmony.

• complimentary
• split-complimentary
• analogous
• triadic

Carry one color throughout the whole project.

Intensity Chart

Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a color (hue). We can't make a color brighter, but we can make it duller by adding it's compliment. If we add together equal amounts of complimentary colors we produce a neutral.

Making the Chart

1. Using your T-square, square up a 12x18" piece of white drawing paper. 
2. Find the center of a 12x18" piece of white drawing paper by drawing lines from opposing corners.
3. From the center measure up one inch and make a mark. Then measure down an inch and make a mark.
4. Draw horizontal lines at these marks. (using the t-square)
5. Measure out one inch to the left and right of the center mark. Draw a vertical line at these two lines. Vertical lines are drawn by resting the triangle on the t-square. Your first 1x2" box will now be centered on the paper.
6. Mark out and draw five boxes to the right and left.

Painting the Chart

1. Pick two complimentary colors. (ie. violet and yellow)
2. Paint the original color at each end of the chart.
3. Mix equal amounts of each color to get the "middle" neutral color.
4. Create 4 small piles of each color. Add small amount of the opposite color to create each intensity change. By mixing them simultaneously, you will be able to easily compare the changing intensity.

• Please mix small quantities of paint. Remember, you only need to fill a 1x2" area. 
• Mix the paint thoroughly!
• Paint neatly, presentation is part of your grade.

Value Homework

During the last project we were involved with creating different values by adding white or black to a color.

Practice your ability to create values by making  a value chart in pencil. Start by ruling our a rectangle that is 10 inches long and 2 inches wide. Divide the rectangle into 10 smaller rectangles. Each one should be 1x2" in size.

Using your pencil, shade in 10 different value gradations. Start as black as possible and slowly get lighter. Use the example above for reference.

Value Project

Exploded Action Figures

Value project using Analogous Colors

The work of Joseph Albers and his series Homage to the Square utilizes size gradations and value changes to create an optical illusion. Our Action Figures will incorporate the same ideas.

Vocabulary

• Value - the lightness or darkness of a hue. (color)
• Tint - Adding white to a hue.
• Shade - Adding black to a hue.
• Gradation - The progressive change of color and or shape within a composition.

Process

1. Trace a photograph of an active sports figure or an equivalent action image.
2. Transfer the outline of the image to a 12x18 inch piece of white oak tag.
3. Draw lines around the figure that make the spaces get wider as they go toward the edges. (See example at the top of page.)
4. Constrict the shapes in some places to add interest and variety.
5. Paint the spaces with progressive value changes, starting with a light value and working toward black. A sensation of vibration should develop.
6. make sure that you have a piece of newspaper under your project as you work.
7. Take only the amount of paint you need, no more or less.  Mix colors slowly. Start by adding small amounts of the darker color to the white. Then add more as needed.  Make sure that you finish a complet color before the period is over. It will be difficult to mix th same color again.
8. Clean Up!! Cardboard pallets and newspaper go in the trash. I will wash the brushes for you, but you are responsible to sponge off your table.
9. Place your wet work on the drying rack. Dry work should be placed in your folder.

Considerations

You must have 10 different values!

Consider using two complimentary colors.

Use your original image in the center of the composition.

New Homework Assignment

9 Squares __________________________________________

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!

Spiral Color Wheel

Materials:

White Oak Tag 12x18”                        Newspapers under work

Tempera Paints                                    Pencils

Brushes                                                Compasses

Procedures

1. Find the center of the paper.
2. Open your compass to a radius of 5 inches and strike a 10 inch circle.
3.  Reduce the radius to 4.5 inches and strike a 9 inch circle.
4.  Reduce the radius to 4 inches and strike a 8 inch circle.
5.  Place the point of the compass on any outside edge and strike an arc from the center of the circles to the outside edge.
6. Go to where the arc has touched the edge of the outside circle and repeat. You should end up with 6 sections. Find the center of one of the sections and repeat, making 12 sections.
7. Each section will have a large area for the color, and two small areas for a tint and shade.
8.  Start by painting in the primary colors. Use Magenta for red, Turquoise for Blue and Yellow. Mix and paint a tint and shade for each primary color. ONLY the primary colors may be used!
9. Mix the secondary and tertiary colors between the primaries. It is easier to work on the three colors between two primaries at the same time.
10.  Make sure you reserve enough of each color to mix it with black or white to make your tint and shade.

Color Mixing

·         Mix your colors on a pallet of cardboard or on an old magazine. Throw away the cardboard pallet or rip the used pages from the magazine and place them in the trash.

·         Clean your brush and place it in the can bristles up! (Very important)

Tips

·         Use small amounts of paint!

·         Always add small amount of dark colors to light!

Place Wet Art Work on the Drying Rack in the back of the room.