Feb. 28 – Marker Pen Drawings

Learning Goals: 

• Use the technique of blind contour drawing.
• Use the elements and principles of art to complete and display your artwork.

Success Criteria:

• You complete a blind contour portrait and prepare it for display while considering the elements and principles of art.

Today we started a new project: Marker Pen Drawings!

We first practice by doing some contour drawings from the handou

• Drawing Faces
• Marker Pen Drawing Rubric

Then we did three minute blind contour drawings of each other and coloured them in using markers.

Here's a example of what they look like:

Feb. 27 – Work Period

Today we spent wrapping up the one-point perspective drawings.  Remember you need to photograph your finished piece and upload it on Dropbox to complete it.  Include a word file that describes your work.  Here is what you need to do:

• Upload a good photo of your portfolio to Dropbox and share it with dan.giang@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
• Upload a word file with the following descriptions of your portfolio
• Artist: (Your name)
• Title: (title for your work)
• Size: 8.5" x 11"
• Medium: graphite (pencil crayon) on paper
• Date: Feb. 27, 2014
• Rational: (Describe the project and what you were trying to do, 50 words.)

At this point, if you are not done, it is homework!  There will not be any more class time to work on it.

Next I gave a handout on drawing facial features.  Try to copy these images into your sketch book.

Handout: Drawing Faces

Feb. 26 – Drawing Skills: Blind Contours

Today we tried a different technique called blind contours.  We tried to draw without lifting our pencil off the page and without looking at the paper either.

We drew for different lengths of time from 10 seconds up to 3 minutes.  Many of you still have to work on using up the whole page.  You also have to work on the hardest part, drawing what you see instead of what you think you see.  This is a hard process and we'll have to continue working on it.

Feb. 25 – Drawing Skills: Gesture drawings

Today we took a break from the rigid rules of perspective and practiced some more free forms of drawing.  I introduced a technique called gesture drawing.  Gesture drawings are quick sketches that are concerned only with capturing form and movement.

We took turns doing gesture drawings of each other.  We started with 10 seconds, then 30 seconds, up to 1 and 2 minute sketches.

I saw some good work, but many of you also had trouble letting go of your urge to focus on details.

Afterwards, we went back to our perspective drawings.  The images and descriptions are due in your drop box by Friday, Feb. 28.

Feb. 20 – Breaking the rules of one-point perspective

Today we looked at more examples of the rules of perspective and what happens when you break these rules!

Remember, these rules were discovered in the 1500's by an architect named Filippo Brunelleschi.

Brunelleschi used a system of mirrors to figure out what these rules of perspectives are.

Other artists started using these rules.  Can you figure out where the vanishing point is in this painting?

After artists learned these rules, they began to break them.  An artist named M. C. Escher came along and made some amazing works that twister our idea of perspective.  Have a look at some of his work.

This last one is quite complex and takes a video to really explain what is happening.

Of course, to make these kinds of effects, you have to first learn the rules of perspective.

Continue working on your name project!

Feb. 19 – 1 Point Perspective

Today we continued with our one-point perspective drawings of your name.  Here's the rubric:

Handout: One-point Perspective Rubric

Most of you are ready to start on your good copy.  Keep up the good work!

Feb. 18 – 1 Point Perspective Assignment

Today we looked at everyone's portfolio and voted on which ones we liked the best.  Whey did we like the ones who chose?  What made them good?  We tried to explain it using the elements and principles of design.

Next, we started an assignment on one-point perspective.  You are to draw your name making each letter 3-dimensional using the rules of perspective.  Then you can shade it all in using the practice we did for values.

Handout: 

• 1-Point Perspective Assignment
• 1-Point Perspective Checklist

Example of how to draw a cube.

Example of how to draw a letter using one-point perspective.

Feb. 14 – Drawing Skills: One Point Perspective

Learning Goals: Understand and apply the rules of one point perspective.

Success Criteria: You can draw a cube using one point perspective above, below and on the horizon line.

Today I discussed some art history with you.  We briefly looked at art from different eras and regions such as these images:

One thing you can see about all these historic drawings and paintings is that they look very flat.  At what point did people start drawing the illusion of 3D?  Let's look at the last image as an example.  Look at the progression in these images that all show the same subject matter:

The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci

What did Da Vinci do to make his image look so much more three dimensional than the others?  Leonardo lived and worked in a time we now call the Renaissance (around 1500s).  During this time an architect known as Filippo Brunelleschi came up with the rules of linear perspective.  Using these rules, artists were able to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface.  Look at this fresco by Raphael to see more examples of these rules:

Handout: Perspective

Then I went through, step by step, how to draw a cube using one point perspective.

Checklist

Here are the tasks you should be doing at this moment in order of importance:

• Portfolio photo and word file in Dropbox shared with me (see previous post.)
• Value drawings from yesterday.
• Three cubes from different angles using one point perspective, complete with shading and shadows.

Feb. 13 – Drawing Skills: Value

Today I discussed how to add value to your graphite drawings, in other words, shading.  I gave each of you a 2B drawing pencil.  These our yours to keep!

We started with a greyscale and then moved on to shading a cube and a sphere.

Handout: Shading Techniques

Assignment Due: Digital Portfolio

Remember you must take a picture of your portfolio for drop box and share it with me.  Here's a checklist of what you need to do.

• Upload a good photo of your portfolio to Dropbox and share it with dan.giang@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
• Upload a word file with the following descriptions of your portfolio
• Artist: (Your name)
• Title: (title for your work)
• Size: (width x height)
• Medium: Pencil crayon and marker on Bristol board.
• Date: Feb. 12, 2014
• Rational: (Describe the project and what you were trying to do, 50 words.)

This is due at the end of class on Friday, that's tomorrow!

Feb. 12 – Digital Portfolio Assignment

The Art Department at our school has decided to use Dropbox to keep digital portfolios.  This will allow you to have a free, digital copy of all your work that is accessible from anywhere with internet access.

Here's what you need to do, visit this link and sign up for an account:

• Dropbox

Now upload photos of your work.  That's it!

Here are further instructions about how your photos will be marked.  You will need to include a word file that describes your work.

Handout: Digital Portfolio Assignment

You have the option of installing a Dropbox App on your phone or computer at home, but that is not required.

More help with Dropbox

If you're new to Dropbox, have a look at these instructions on how to upload and share your work with me.  Remember, you have to let me know you've uploaded your work by sharing the link with me.  My email address is dan.giang@yrdsb.edu.on.ca

Feb. 11 – Work Period

More time was given today for you to finish your portfolios.

Tomorrow, please bring a digital camera or a phone that is capable of taking pictures.  You will have to photograph all the work you do in this or any art class.  If you do not have one, I will provide a camera for you, but if you have your own, please bring it.

Feb. 7 – Pencil Crayon Techniques

Learning Goals: Create artwork using different media.

Success Criteria: You can use pencil crayons in multiple ways to create your portfolio.

Today we continued with our portfolio projects.  We looked at some examples of pencil crayon artwork.  Here are some examples of what is possible with pencil crayons:

The examples above are ones I found online.  We also looked at portfolios from previous grade 9 students and looked at what worked well and what didn't.

Here are some things to think about when using pencil crayons:

• How sharp is the pencil?
• What angle will you hold it at?
• How hard should you press?
• Will you colour with straight lines, circles or scribbles?
• What do the colours look like when you put them on top of each other?

Experiment with the above questions in mind and see what different effects you get.  Then it comes down to you.  You must decide what kind of effects you want on each part of your design.

Now go ahead and make an amazing design!

Feb. 6 – Work period

Today and tomorrow will be work periods for you to complete your portfolio projects.  Remember to look at the rubric and complete the written component on the back.  You will need to describe how you incorporated the elements and principles into your work.

Handout: Portofolio Design Rubric

At this point, everyone should be done the planning and started on the actual portfolio.

Feb. 5 Class

Learning Goals: Understand the elements and principles of design.

Success Criteria: You can use the elements and principles of design in your artwork.

Handouts:

• Elements and Principles of Design handout
• Elements and Principles PowerPoint
• Portfolio Design Evaluation Rubric

Today we looked at the drawings that you guys did yesterday of your ideal art class.  Most people drew images of happy students enjoying an art class.  I hope you will all work together to build this positive happy atmosphere.

Next we looked at the elements and principles of design.  Have a look at the handouts and powerpoint.  You will need to memorize these and be able to use them throughout your career as an artist.

We then continued to work on our portfolio designs.  At this point, you should have your 6 thumbnail sketches complete and starting to work on your full sized portfolio.

First Class

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Dr. G's Grade 9 Art Class!

Here's the course outline: Course Outline
You also filled out these: Student Information Sheets

Today we got to know each other a little.  All of you drew what you thought would be the ideal class.  We then talked about the type of art you will be doing this semester.

And here's the rubric for the first assignment: Portfolio Design Rubric

In the first assignment you will be decorating the portfolios that will be storing your work for the entire semester.  These portfolios must reflect you and show the world who you are.  You will be evaluated on how well you can do this and how well you incorporate the elements and principles of design.  More on that later, for now, just start some sketches to get some ideas on paper.

Sketchbooks are highly recommended, but not required.

Looking forward to a great term!