Square by Square

The process continues. Meticulously, at times.

Art 4 lino reminder

Sketches due in sketchbook for linocut at the BEGINNING of class on Friday.
That is more than one sketch, remember.
We'll talk in more detail after we look at them together.

The Process Begins

We start at the nearly beginning...

And in just a few days ...

Grisaille

We're past the stencils and on to the Monochromatic Oil. Very exciting. But just as a remembrance, here are some of the results of the Grisaille Painting of the basic forms.
Enjoy. And well done.

Art 2 re:Mono Oil

As we prepare for our oil unit, for the end of next week make sure you have:
a 16" x 20" canvas
a high quality b & w photograph

I know I forgot to mention this to 4th period today, but those things will be needed asap.

Bring in a selection of images to choose from. Be picky with the subject and the composition, please. If you have a photo you have taken and would like to use it, even better! In fact, I strongly suggest that you think about this option. I can show you how to convert it to b/w in class if needed. Otherwise, magazines are a great place to look. If you insist on using google images, make sure to look under "large" file sizes in order to get the best printout possible.

Canvases can be bought for cost here at school, $9 for wide profile, $5 for thin profile. Cash only, please.

I will be showing examples of past projects on Monday so you can begin to think about color choice and subject matter ... so stay tuned!

MICA Visit

MICA
(Maryland Institute College of Art)
will be back on campus to do a visit/presentation during tutorial on Oct. 26th in room 502!!!

Art 3

Your Master Oil Copy project is coming up. Make sure you have your canvas, 16x20 min., and your high quality reproduction options in class next week. We need to begin this project soon in order for it to be ready for the Town Council Show this winter.
If there are questions, please make sure to ask me.

Sketchbooks

Everyone, everyone ... Sketchbooks will be do from all adv. art levels within the next week.
Some reminders:
work from the front to the back (so there will be room for the entire year)
generally speaking, use both sides of the pages
don't focus on "finished" images - though those are o.k. too
don't cut anything out - if you don't like it, work over it, paint over it, erase it, etc.
but "mistakes" are good
study drawings should be done on separate paper
but DO use the sketchbook as a place to visually brainstorm

really I'll be looking at QUANTITY.
but effort, improvement, and quality do factor in as well.

Art 4

In getting ready for your oil painting, remember:

you should be drawing on your canvas on Friday

which means you need to have a canvas here

or be ready to purchase one here ($9/thick or $5/thin)

have your oil brushes ready to go

have your sketchbook here (we will be taping in your purple sheet and putting your ideas in that book - if they are not already there)

NYT Drawing Series v2

Another great article from the NYT drawing series can be found right here

.

Great New Series from the NYT

Check out this link from a new drawing series of columns from the New York Times
(I'll try to post all new links, but check their site on Fridays in case I miss one)

Study Drawings

Some reminders about due dates:
Art 2/3
do 6 study drawings from the list provided the first day of class
complete them on separate sheets of paper, not in your sketchbook
turn them in in your large portfolio
use the topic sheet as your labels
write on the labels which set they are for, and which s.d. they are
(example: set 1 , #2)
put them in numerical order when turning them in

Art 4
do 5 study drawings from the list provided the first day of class
pretty much follow the rest of the above directions

It is a VERY GOOD idea to do preliminary work for your study drawings (sketches, lists, etc.) in your sketchbook. Even though it is not part of your study drawings, I will be collecting and grading them in the very near future. It is very much about QUANTITY that you have done in that book. Have fun with it, but work in it as much as you can.

Due Dates for Study Drawings
Art 3/4 Oct. 4th
Art 2 Oct. 5th

Another Great Start

Wow! Another year has begun already ... and begun on such a positive note for all of the adv. art classes. Let's keep up the great work and diligence!

As a reminder(s): don't forget the materials cost asap.

Art 2: $85
Art 3: $20
Art 4: $20

We will be using our sketchbooks with much more consistency this year, so make sure to have them in class every day. I can tell you for certainty that they will get used both this week and next - especially for the Art 3/4 students, so make sure you come to class prepared.
As always, if you have any questions, let me know.

2010 Award Winners

Congratulations to all of the Art Award winners this year. A special thank you to you for four amazing and memorable years of fun and imagery that I will never forget.
This is the largest Art 4 class LGHS has had in a long time, and every one of you has given me much to be happy about. Thank you, thank you!

Permanently on the plaques, and our memory banks, are:

Robert S. Lozano Excellence in Art Award (c0-winners):
Lucia Dill and Catherine Soule

Best Senior Painter:
Mercedes Beach

The "Other" Award:
Ryan Abraham

And without further delay, here they are:
(with special thanks to Sally Stanley for taking the pic)

Hand Painted by Mr. Flick

Just because it's fun. You can't go wrong with these.

Directions to Blue Coat

Here are the directions I take to get to Blue Coat. If you follow an online map program, sometimes they take you a "quicker" route, but the safety of their directions can be a little suspect.

From LG:
17N
85N
exit El Camino Real
L on S. Mary
Blue Coat will be at 420 N. Mary shortly after you pass the train tracks.
The parking garage is around towards the rear of the complex...if you get this far you can't miss it.

Extra Credit/Blue Coat Showcase Info.

This year's Blue Coat Systems Inc. Community Art Showcase is this Friday, May 21st from 4-7 pm.
As usual, for those in attendance I will give extra credit if you see me while there.
Unfortunately this year is will not be able to stay for the entire duration of the showcase, and will have to leave around 5-5:15.
I hope you can make it there to see the work from your peers and the other schools that will be showing. Blue Coat Systems does a great job with the event, so I hope you can make it.
More information can be found on the Blue Coat Systems page here.
The address is 420 N. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA

Ernie's Message for Adv. Art Students

O.K., not really from Ernie...but it makes me laugh...

Mark your calendars...the giving out of our annual art awards (Excellence in Art and Best Senior Painter) will be held on Wed., May 26th at lunch in room 502.
Again this year we have amazing parents organizing to provide food and beverage for everyone in attendance.
Assuming I can get my act together and make some decisions in the near future about who the recipients will be it should be another great celebration of the graduating seniors.

New Record

All in a day's work! Read about the Picasso that knocked Giacometti off the top of the platform.

Art Show Reception

Again:
Wed.
Apr. 28th
6-8 pm

Los Gatos Museum
4 Tait Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030

The museum's web site can be found here.

Extra Credit

Here is the "official" announcement & information regarding the end-of-the-year exhibition:
Official Dates: 29 April - 27 May, 2010
Artist's Reception: 28 April, 2010; 6-8pm

Misc. info. regarding the exhibition:
Parking is a nightmare, and LG is happy to give tickets, so make sure you park in a proper location;
The awards are usually announced at around 7;
The museum is located at 4 Tait Ave. - basically across from Happy Dragon;
Regular museum hours are Wed.-Sun., 12-4pm
Yes, I do give extra credit to students who show up, and sign in, for the the reception

Metamorphosis Examples

Art 1 Set 5 S.D. 3

For the "new" study drawing #3 topic, do not forget to tape your venn diagram into your sketchbook.
For those of you who were absent, you will need to come in during tutorial to make up this exercise of comparing/contrasting before spring break. It will only take about 15 minutes, but we are not planning on giving more class time for that study drawing.

Also, your grid drawings are due next week before spring break!!!!!!!

Art 1, new for set 5 (#2)

For the "new" Set 5 Study Drawing #2, follow these instructions.
1) Begin by tracing the 8x10" matboard template onto the page for s.d. #2 (as you did for the initials you did for s.d. #1)

2) Next choose an odd number of leaves and draw their exterior contour (do not trace them) into that rectangle. See example below. Yes, it is o.k. if they go outside of the edges of the rectangle. You can see that I did mine fairly large so as to not have to paint as many tiny shapes later. : )


3) Once you have your leaves drawn, use a ruler to draw an odd number of diagonal lines from one edge of your paper to another so that the lines bisect/intersect the leaves.
See example below (yes, I know it's blurry, but you can still get the picture - no pun intended!).


4) Get your watercolors handy and mix up a color/value that utilizes at least 3 colors in the mixture. Begin by painting one of the shapes.
This is where is gets a little confusing so let me try to explain the process as you look at the next two pictures.
You are painting "every other" shape. You want to allow all of the lines you have drawn to still "show up." The painted portions will be touching at "corners" or "points" instead of longer (straight or curved) lines.
It is helpful to put really light/tiny "x's" in the spaces you are going to paint before you paint them so you do not get confused.
In essence, if you paint part of a leaf, in the area adjacent to it, on either top/bottom or side(s) you will paint the area outside of the leaf - the negative space.

4.2) The finished product should look like this (below). You can still see the shapes of the leaves, as well as the diagonal lines, but the surface has been fragmented/abstracted so that it becomes more about shape and color vs. drawing perfect leaves.
It's a different "way" of looking, and forces you to use a different part of your brain...which is good!

Again, this is the "new" study drawing #2 for set five. Your finished product should resemble the picture above. If you have questions, please ask.

Art 1 Matboard

As announced in class today, you need to get one 32" x 40" sheet of matboard.
Not each, but for two people to share.
The color doesn't matter to me as long as it is NOT black or white - avoid those two at all costs (they are just too "contrasty" compared to your pencil drawing...trust me). Do, though, get something you like and/or think will look good with your drawing.

The best selection will be found at University Art on Meridian just off of 280 (heading southbound towards San Jose. Closer will be Aaron Bros. on Bascom (on the corner shopping center at Hamilton - near Whole Foods).
Of course other places carry this item as well, but they may not have exactly what you/we need.

We will be using this to "frame" your finished grid drawing, so make sure it is "clean" and the corners are in good shape.

Art 1, new for set 5

As discussed in class today:
Study Drawing #1 for Set 5 has been changed. Reminder for what you must have on that page.
1)8x10" rectangle in the middle of the page
2)your initials
3)initials must touch all 4 sides of rectangle
4)initials must be overlapping
5)must use one color of tempera paint
6)mix at least three diff. colors together
7)use the same value/color for all initials

As we discussed, this will turn it in to being more about shape and color than anything else.
You'll end up with a nice little abstract piece.
I need not be able to "read" the initials. A cool design is even better.

Cool Video to watch

A very cool video that uses sand to make images...set to music.
As a frame of reference, think Ukraine, WW II, population loss, etc.

Where do your ideas come from (or what CAN'T you do with media you may hate at this point)

big surprise...

Art 2's, here's the day you chose for your acrylic due date. (That will be 3/15/10)

New Art from CalPoly

Here are some pictures forwarded to me of an installation piece Paula did recently at CalPoly.
Interesting what a few hours and some "string" will get you!

New Art Exhibit in NY

So what are your thoughts on this article?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/nyregion/26naked.html

See also, Vanessa Beecroft along with Tunick and others mentioned in the article.

Art or Attention? Art students, it would be interesting to hear your opinion(s).

Art 3 Due Date Update

Yes, the new due date for the "original oil" is now tomorrow, Wed. 2/24/10.

About Getting Practice

An interesting article from the NYT a week or so ago. It doesn't speak so well, ultimately of the artist it discusses, but it does address practice, practice, practice ... and learning from those that came before.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/arts/design/15painting.html?hpw

Art 1 Grid Drawing

I know, I know, I hate it when students are given homework over the break, but ...
you have to admit that this is pretty easy.
Since we are getting ready to begin the grid drawing each student needs to collect some photographs to choose from.
The guidelines are as follows:

• must be black and white
• must be "high quality" (showing good contrast, crisp, etc.)
• min. of 4" on the short side
• bring in a min. of 3-5 to choose from
• no silhouettes for the subject
  
• avoid really big areas that are really dark
• avoid really big areas that are really light
• try to find that "sweet spot" for detail - not too much, but not too little
• look for good contrast
• look for a wide range of values
• try to get pictures you enjoy looking at and will look forward to as a finished product

Remember, this project takes time, but is impressive when finished.
You will need matboard in order to finish the project, but we will discuss that come March.
I will put reminders of that up here and tell you where to get it later.

Art 1 Set 4 Updates

Some changes/reminders for Set 4 Study Drawings.
1. The due date for Art 1 is Mar. 2nd
2. #1 is now "any medium, any subject"
3. #4 - Analogous Colors = 3-4 colors adjacent to one another on the color wheel (ex. - blue, blue-green, green, yellow green). Yes, you can, and SHOULD, use white and black to create many different values of those color combinations.
4. #2, the portrait - look at angles, proportions, shapes, lights/darks, etc. You can draw yourself in a mirror (ideal), another real person, or from a photograph.

Let me know if you have questions.

Museum Dates Announced

Again this year LGHS will be showing at the Los Gatos Museum for our end of the year show. The museum has been a generous donor of exhibition space and time for LGHS for more than 15 years, and we expect another stellar show.
For the second year in a row we will be sharing the space with Saratoga High School, and we had a meeting at the museum yesterday to finalize the details of the exhibit.
This year the dates are from 29 April, 2010 to 27 May, 2010.
The opening reception will be from 6-8 pm on April 29th, and the awards juror will be Kenney Mencher.
Please mark your calendars now and make sure to be there for this always fun and well-attended event.
You can always email me for more information, but you can also visit the museum's site, too.

www.museumsoflosgatos.org

Town Council Opening Reception

This year's Art in the Council Chambers exhibit of paintings from the advanced art classes will take place this Thursday, Jan. 14th, from 6-8 pm in the Town Council Chambers (below the LG Public Library).
The link from the town's site is:

http://www.town.los-gatos.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=349

The mayor generally speaks at around seven, and there will be light food and drink available.

Students, don't forget to sign in on the extra credit sheet for points to be added to your first semester grade! No, you do not have to stay for the entire time, but it's always good to support your peers.

I hope to see everybody there! Let me know if you have any questions.