VAPA
An extension of the Studio class, offering additional art credit hours for VAPA students.
Students & Parents:
The world of art and artists vary in it's content and appropriateness. The videos below have been vetted as visually appropriate, and I will choose videos on the conservative side of appropriateness for student content. If students view these videos on my webpage, it will only be the vetted content. However, if students view the videos off my webpage, the platforms may suggest or auto play other videos or comments that have not been vetted. Similarly, some prompts ask students to research an artist further. Please talk with your student about how to research online safely and consider researching via filters.
November 8th
Why do I have to practice a sphere?
The translation of the Chinese writing: why you want to practice sphere? Because everything comes with sphere!
The idea of the artist was to show how the sphere is the basis for so much in drawing. It's worth practicing and revisiting often! What are your thoughts behind that statement? Can you think of any other examples that this sphere could be turned into?
Many times in drawing practices we start with the simplest forms. This helps us study the light, proportion and influences that we observe as we draw as well as get our eye and hand in coordination with each other. It helps us as artists take in the details that a casual observer might overlook. Like pianists, baseball players or workout videos, artist also need to start with a warm up or "study" when they start a project.
What do you think is the benefit of a warm-up? What could be a consequence of not warming up? Is this something you practice in your art? Why do think an artist might be tempted to skip this step?
October 18
painting ideas
Next week we will be adding color to our Jasper Johns inspired numbers. Since we don't have a video of Johns painting, here is the next best thing... the artist from the channel Imperfect Paintings shows several different approaches Johns' inspired artwork. Do you have a favorite approach or outcome? Be sure to jot down notes of the process so you can try it for yourself in class this week!
October 9
Elements of Art: Color
Color Theory offers ways to use color more effectively in our artwork. Grab your binder and take some notes as you watch this video.
What are the differences between hue, value and intensity?
What are primary, secondary and tertiary colors?
How do analogous colors relate to each other? How do complimentary colors relate to each other? What is a tint? A shade?
Journal your own thoughts: What would create a more calming piece of art: analogous or complimentary colors? Why would it be helpful to know the value and the intensity of a color? In your current succulent project are you using a more complimentary or analogous color scheme?
September 23
Solt Pastles
We will be using Soft Pastels, also called chalk pastels, next week to add color to our succulents. Soft Pastels have been used for hundreds of years by fine artist. They are versatile in the different effects they can create and they blend together smoothly. They also cover large areas quickly. Take a look at a 300 year old process for making pastels that is still being done in small batches today.
Pastel drawing by Edgar Degas
1834-1917, France
Most widely know for drawing, painting and sculpting dancers in motion.
September 17
Element of art: Value
Watch the video first, paying special attention to low contrast and high contrast value.
In Banky's artwork from last week, is he using low or high value contrast?
Using a cell phone camera or digital camera, take a color photo of an object that has a smooth texture (in the video they used a banana). Using the same object, change the settings to take a black and white or monochromatic photo.
Now find an rough textured object (for example, a tree trunk). Take two photos again: one in color and one black and white/monochromatic.
Compare the color photos with the black and white. Which appears more dramatic? Which shows more contrast? Does something different grab your attention in the color photo verse the black and white?
Now compare the two black and white texture photos. Which texture (smooth or rough) lends itself more to high contrast? How about low contrast?
September 10th
Elements of art: Form
After watching the video, how would you define the difference between shape and form?
What do visual artist use to create the illusion of form?
Consider the two artist below and their approach to showing form. How are their approaches similar? How are they different? Could you see this kind of street art in our community? Where would it fit or have the most impact in our town?
Artist: Aakash Nihalani
Nihalani is a New York artist of Indian decent. He began using tape as an art medium by accident when he used the painter's tape he was hanging artwork with to outline a shadow that looked interesting.
Growing up in New York, urban architecture inspired his dive into geometric shapes. He works not only in tape and painting but also in sculpture and animation.
Because his street art uses tape, it is considered temporary. He believes that street art differs from graffiti because it invites the viewer to be a part, verse graffiti which doesn't consider the viewer beyond self-recognition.
Artist: Banksy
Banksy is an anonymous street artist from Britain.
Banksy holds true that street art is free to all. He has been suspected to buy his own artwork and destroy it because it was never meant to be bought or sold but shared freely.
One piece of artwork sold for 1.4 million and then "self destructed" when the frame turned out to be a paper shredder.
September 3rd
The Elements of Art
Watch the video to get an overview of the Elements of Art. We talked about Line, Shape and Form in class this week, but Color, Value and Texture might be new concepts. See if you can find a way that each artist below used all 7 elements in their artwork. Do some of the artworks rely on one elements more than others?
Elements: Line, Shape, Form, Color, Value, Texture & Space
Piet Mondrian
Albrecht Durer
Claude Monet
Grant Woods
August 27th
famous definitions of art
Grab a paper and pen. As you watch the video, listen for a quote that sticks out to you and write it down. Take at least 5 minutes to research the author of the quote and what connection they have to art. What are some of your thoughts about their artwork? Does their quote help you understand their artwork more?
Florian Marcus is an architect and digital fabrication enthusiast. Some view his artwork as machine made and not true art. Others believe that his choice of color, design and execution makes this art. What are your thoughts about an artist collaborating with a robot?
Snooze One is a lettering artist. He is a member of Calligraphy Masters, who's goal is to keep the art of hand lettering alive in this digital age. He uses composition and different art mediums to create visually complex designs. Would you consider hand lettering art? Compare this to the computer assisted art of Florian Marcus. Do you think this uses more or less or similar artistic skill?