Thursday, October 29, 2009

Post MICA visit and new due date

The visit from MICA went really well. There was, of course, a lot of the same information, but the presentation itself had a lot of new visuals - which was cool. We will be getting a new "viewbook" form them in the near future.
If you missed the presentation I have some materials as leave behinds in the classroom for you to look at. This includes information on their summer Pre-College experience.
As a reminder, too, MICA will be at the National Portfolio Day in San Francisco on Jan. 16th, too.

Art 2's: I have officially moved your monochromatic oil due date to Nov. 17th. That isn't so that you can take your time, though. As I spoke about in class today, my objective/goal is for you to take the time to make those subtle corrections and minute changes that will take the painting from being "good" to even better. That doesn't mean small details, but subtle changes in value/texture/contrast/etc. to get the painting to be more "true to life."

Art 3's: I don't know your due date yet. All I know is that it will be several weeks away. This oil painting takes a long time.

Also: Study Drawings are due in 1 1/2 weeks. Get started early and be prepared!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

MICA Visit

Our annual Maryland Institute College of Art visit will happen this Thursday during tutorial.
The invitation is officially extended to all art students, even though I forgot to announce it during the Art 1 classes yesterday.
If you don't know much about the school, come and check them out.
Or go here: www.mica.edu

Friday, October 23, 2009

Misc. OIl Project Notes

It's dawning on me that there is a drawback from moving to the block schedule for projects that include a very new media. With us working on our oil paintings, and trying to figure it out as we go through the process in art 2 for the first time, painting every other day isn't the best. Consistent practice is. While I recognize that everyone has other classes to worry about and do work for, if you (Art 2's) can use at least 1-2 tutorials each week to come in and work on your paintings, it will make you a better painter in a shorter period of time. There are a lot of subtleties required in handling the paint (making sure to eliminate "halos", dealing with canvas texture, blending, details, correct values, edges - the list goes on) and practice, practice, PRACTICE is what you need to make you better.

And art 4's: Wed. Yes, Wed., the painting is due. No, I will not move the due date. You have had 6 weeks to work on the project and many of you did exactly what I warned against, and that was using two to three weeks to work on study drawings and idea preparation. Yes, I expect a lot from this project as you have completed five oil paintings for me in the past and you all have a facility with the medium that should just be getting better.

Art 3's: You're just getting started, and one of the main things that will help is for you to really look at your picture and try to notice what colors are there as "base coats". Often you'll notice that there is something painted underneath the final color you actually see, and being able to use that same method of painting will make the process much easier for you to match colors and textures later on.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Moving in to oil painting

As we prepare for the larger oil paintings, of course everyone needs something to paint on. The minimum canvas size for everyone (Art 2,3,4) is 16" x 20". Yes, canvases can be traded for cash ($5 or $9) here in class, or you can get one from the art supply store (University Art or Aaron Brothers are both good places).
Art 4's - as ANOTHER reminder, you need to supply your own oil painting brushes this year. I am supplying the white oil paint (which in years past art 4's needed to get themselves), though.
Art 2's - you need to bring your canvas and photographs to class BY Friday. Bring options, please.

Art 3's - you have options for your oil painting project. Traditionally the first oil painting of the year has been a Master/Famous Reproduction. To explain, the reasons are for duplication of color, texture, and painting style. In studying the masters (which is a centuries old exercise) you have the chance to expand your knowledge, and the bottom line is that it will make you a MUCH better painter in the long run. As I mentioned in class, there is one drawback. That reproduction usually isn't good to use in a college portfolio. You can still use it as an exercise and do a second painting afterwards - which the classes have also done the past two years.
In terms of the other options for the oil painting (for art 3's) please think those ideas through and have concrete options to discuss next week in class.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Art 2's

As we begin our oil painting unit there are some things you need to do in preparation of the second painting we will do. One: get b/w photographs (high quality) for us to choose from in class. This can be from a magazine or one that you have taken (preferred). Two: get a canvas (which I have here if you cannot make it to the art store - 16x20" min.). Three: those must be here by Friday 10/9 at the LATEST!
We'll begin our grisaille project on Monday, and it will be due on 10/9 as well.