Art 2 Sketchbook

It is December. There are just two weeks before finals week. Does that mean six class times together?
Yikes.
Obviously your painting is your priority. This should be enough time to finish it, so look at the rubric online, and plan to turn it in during finals.

Regarding your sketchbook, though, I still want you to be working in it with an eye towards quantity between now and the end of the semester. Even just a few minutes each day is amazing. I will view them while you work on your paintings (likely) more than once before the semester is over.
For now, if you want some inspo, consider the below.

  

It is very likely that you will see at least one of these in the future, but for now I wanted to throw out a few different views of animal images. Not because I want you to copy these, but because they are very different ways of looking at the same topic/prompt/idea.
If you are stumped as to what to do, you might use one of these ideas as a jumping off point.

Final, Spring 2018

What you need on your desk is a pencil.
I will provide you with a sheet of printer paper - which you may or may not need, a piece of drawing paper, and a pen - which you may or may not need.
If you need color, colored pencils are stored where they have been all year.

Please plug in your headphones after you finish reading this, and listen to the following before beginning to make your drawing.

On Monday we worked at teams. We worked as teams that often don't work together. There is a lot that can come from activities such as the marshmallow challenge, and while it may not seem related to what we have done in the past (or will do today), it certainly is.
The part that I am interested in is how do we communicate, work with limited means, work with a time constraint, and give visual form to a challenge. I wouldn't forget how there were different ideas communicated by each team, or the process of trying different things out though.

As we are at the end of the semester I find it interesting to go back as a lot of what we have done outside of learning and refining some techniques is how to communicate.
Sometimes the ideas just come to us, and sometimes we have to search for them - or steal ideas for a starting point from others.

If we think about this idea of illustration I think of many successive questions.

• what is the topic (which may not be straightforward or obvious...though it might be)
• how do I create a focal point
• given the time and materials, what is the best method to move forward (what I am best at might not be available or doable in the given time period)
• how can I create depth through overlapping and use of space
• can I use abstracted elements to create unity and cohesion 
• does something have to be photographic in representation to make sense

Having said that, I want you to listen to the FOLLOWING PODCAST.
That is step one.
You may end up taking "notes" or jotting down ideas of what you hear or think of. I can see how that might be useful.
Next, you'll make a piece of art that speaks to the content of the podcast. Anyone seeing what you have created and listening to the same podcast should "get it."

That said, anyone seeing what you have created but not listening to the podcast should be able to appreciate the creation as a stand alone piece of visual art.

Do you start with architecture?
Do you begin with a portrait?
Where is the focal point going to go?
What is the context around the focal point?
Do you draw what you know is there only?
Or do you also add elements from your imagination which also makes sense?
Is it all about nature?
Could you get more than one "main thing" in the image?
What works within the given time?
Do you have enough time to focus only on stipple, or is that a fool's game?
What is the best media to use?
What media is the best idea for creating balance?
How long should you spend sketching out in pencil before adding other media and/or shading begins?
Should you begin sketching out in pencil first?
How critical is technique versus concept?

I would say:

• don't spend much time surfing around the web
• just get started
• think about composition
• think about balance and unity
• think about visual space
• don't rush
• show how the processes you have learned about and the feedback you've been given can manifest themselves here

Lastly, know that this is an important process to engage fully in.
Smile.
Have fun!


Oh, one more thing. Once you are finished listening to the above segment, please take your headphones out. No personal music today.

Daily Sketchbook 5/15

We will start today's image, and then add to it on Thurs., for now just draw some deer antlers.
You can use the ones below, or find your own, but begin right away.

Don't wait to plug in to your music or spend this time catching up with your peers please. Just begin.
I'm less interested in the texture at the bottom, or any shading, than the overall shape for now. But in truth the shape shouldn't take long, and then you can begin adding values.
Use pencil only for this.

Daily Sketchbook 5/3

Last time you should have gotten a decent start on the egret.
Did you work on it yesterday even though you weren't required to upload any sort of update?
Did you work on i.p. instead?

Today I want you to add some colored pencil to the negative space.

Maybe it is mostly monochromatic and blending in value from light to dark?
Maybe it is proportionally appropriate stripes of contrasting colors adjacent to one another?
Maybe it is a rectangle of color somehow?

Just pick a color or two and go. Don't think too much. Do make it visually interesting.
Remember, this isn't a "finished" piece. We are just experimenting.

Also, remember the expectation is that you are starting within just a few moments of the bell ringing in order to be efficient with your time :)

Daily Sketchbook 4/25

Please get out your pen and ink.
If you go back to your backpack image, from Monday (yes, this is the last time we'll address this image) I want you to find a way to draw attention to the backpack, or more ideally, a specific part of the backpack.
This could mean adding detail or shading to a part of the backpack.
Alternatively this could mean adding some sort of "contrary" element to the images (such as a series of straight lines in a defined shape around a particular part).
You could just address the negative space and add too what should already be there.

I'm not sure the best path forward for you but please keep adding to your image until I ask you to stop.

Once we are uploaded here please come close to my desk so that we can look at some examples together.

Daily Sketchbook 4/19

Open back up to the backpack image that you began last time, and let me give you additional instructions before you get started.
Please get out the following supplies:

• self-healing cutting mat
• x-acto knife (at least two per table) you will need to share
• watercolor palette
• watercolors
• water
• paper towels

Additionally,  please get out an 18"x24" piece of drawing paper and make sure each table has a roll of masking tape to share.

I'll give you a couple of minutes and then ask that you join me in the middle of the room so we can go over directions.

Daily Sketchbook 4/17

Please make sure you are not sitting at a table by yourself.
Next, have one person from your table group place their backpack in the center of your table group.
Yes, we will be drawing this, but I don't want you to begin yet. Let me guide you a bit further and give some additional instructions before you begin.
Also, welcome back. If I haven't said so, I'm happy to see your beautiful mug in the studio :)

Daily Sketchbook 4/2

Good morning!
I'd like to walk backwards a little bit today and look at the week as a whole as we get started.

Friday: mindful moment; wrap up and self assessment of current painting; looking back at what we have created during the month of March (this will require you to have all of your independent practice or self-directed pieces here this week (I would bring them earlier vs later). You'll need to have your sketchbook here on Friday as well.
Remember you should have been doing one or the other during March.
Hopefully we have time to begin towards our next work.

Wednesday: daily sketchbook - this will be our self assessment at the end of the grading period as we typically do; finish and turn in painting

Monday: daily sketchbook of which you have two options today. Option One: continue working on the negative space you began with your blackbird last week. Option Two: get a mirror from the tool cabinet and create a contour line drawing of your face resting on your hand (not a blind contour drawing).
Please spend a min. of 8 min. and a max. of 11 min. on this.
Continue working on your acrylic painting - due Wed.

Daily Sketchbook 3/14

This is another day I will request you work on your elephant image (if you are not doing a self-directed March project based off the answer to your question from before), so think about the following two options.
Is there a way to fix/finish/alter the elephant itself to make it significantly stronger and/or more refined?
Is there a way to consider the idea of repetition/multiplicity with your stacked elements from Monday (donuts and/or paper boats) to give additional visual interest to the drawing?

Please be productive and upload your drawing after about 12 solid minutes of drawing.
Cheers!

Daily Sketchbook 3/12

Back to that elephant.
Continuing to add on, alter, or change an existing page makes for images that can be unexpected.
They don't always have to make sense, and sometimes the pages that have less energy devoted to the items on the page can be the most interesting.
Below is a pretty simple donut. You could add some shading today, or tomorrow.
You could have this balancing on your elephant's head or back. Up to you.




Or what if you did something with the boat below?

If you used the boat below, what else would you put on the flag?


What happens if you do multiples of something? Or if you have the elephant balancing on one set of things while it is simultaneously balancing other things?

Daily Sketchbook 3/8

How about you go back to that elephant from last week and make it better and on the way towards complete?
I think that a good idea.
We will balance some things on its back later (as was said before).
Like a donut, maybe.

Of course...you have the option of working on your self directed project for the month of March if that is where you are heading.
What is fun/interesting for you to draw.
Is this a series of drafts in your sketchbook? Is this on a "final" piece of paper/canvas?

Sometimes it pays to look around

The interwebs are a great place to look and find inspiration.
It could be specific content, but it might be something kind of random - which are often the best.

Koosje Koene is one of those. Most of her images are pretty "simple" upon first glance, but you know there wouldn't be any sort of consistent style present if she hadn't done something over and over and over again.
She has some good work on her site and some great video content up on youtube - which you can see below.
There are some great and fun tips for keeping up a consistent sketchbook practice on her channel, and in the below video - which is why it is here, so I would say, check it out.

Cheers.

Daily Sketchbook 2/28

Below you will find an elephant.

I know, cool.

Today's task is to draw this elephant. Sure, you should pay attention to proportions, and IF you get to the point of shading, pay attention to values as well. Remember, though, that I do not expect you to "finish" a drawing in 15 minutes. Please don't race through this to have it "done" - you can always come back to it later.
Please draw the elephant above in such an orientation that you can draw other things balancing on its back in the future (so I would draw it lower on the page myself).

But first, please click on THIS LINK and read what I have to say there (which is a work in progress, and without all of the answers - so keep that in mind please).

Daily Sketchbook 2/26

Good morning and welcome back all!
I would be fooling you if I didn't say I'd rather be NOT here right now, but I'm always happy to see your faces, so I guess it's just a balance.
After today's sketchbook, Art 3's, you should be drawing your image on your canvas, and Art 4's you should be somewhere along your painting process (remember, you've already had two days to work/draw on your final canvas).

Today's theme, direction.
I've been thinking a lot about this during our time off for my classes (and how I'd like to experiment and see some things change) and for my personal work.
You have two options, draw something that comes to mind when you read the word "direction"(maybe the first thing you think of?), or draw one of the images below.
As always, don't forget to upload when you are finished.

Daily Sketchbook 2/13

Set yourself up with your sketchbook and pencil across from a peer. Yes, you may need to move to be directly across from them.
You each need to situate yourselves across from one another in such a way that both of your hands are relatively near each other.
I know one will be drawing, but the other one should be in close proximity.
Your task is to draw the hands of the person across from you.
Remember that context may be helpful.
Remember that being done in a very rushed looking manner isn't of primary importance. If you can get some good drawing quantity, cool, but balance quantity with quality.
If you are really focusing you won't be involved in discourse or logging in to listen to music.
Please just be present and focused.
And have fun.

Daily Sketchbook 2/1

It's Feb. already. Wow.
First, don't forget that they reception for the AICC show is tonight from 6-7:30. I hope you and/or your parental units can make it!
Second, let's have a whale of a time. Don't spend much time looking, but quickly begin drawing from one of these images.

Daily Sketchbook 1/30

Let's go all the way back to two weeks ago, shall we?
The multiple hands you drew that were at least partially overlapping is what I mean.
I want you to draw some sort of consistent pattern in the negative space surrounding the hands now.

I'll put an example below of a pattern-type use of line that would work. Of course, yours doesn't have to be just like this, and strictly speaking this isn't a "regular pattern", but I really want you to focus on making the negative space interesting.

Example:

Daily Sketchbook 1/22 + 1/24

If you have not already begun your I.P. piece that is due on Friday, 1/26, now is your opportunity.
Remember, it is a "free subject", so have fun. Remember, also, the constants of needing to show composition and texture and value and contrast and...
I know there is only one week since your last one, but that's the way it works out with the schedule right now. This is a free subject and you have 30 min of class time, plus another 30 min of daily sketchbook time you can use on Tues. and Thurs. this week, so there is at least one hour of quality drawing/painting time you can use for this.
Have fun.

Daily Sketchbook 1/16

Open to the next blank page in your sketchbook.
Draw, in pencil, a contour of your non-dominant hand at least three times on the page.
They should be large enough that there should be at least some overlapping. I would also suggest moving your hand in such a way that parts of the fingers overlap each time as well (basically, no fists or "flat" hands).

Daily Sketchbook 1/11

Day two of the semester.
Go back to the image from Tuesday and look at the letter "V" at the bottom of the ad.
I want you to study the construction of that letter (see how it looks dimensional?), and back on the same page as Tuesday I want you to create the initials from your first and last name in that same style.
Ready, go!




THIS might be of help for those curvy style letters.