CREATIVE. EXPERIENCED. INNOVATIVE
This color study challenged students to mix all colors from three primary colors.
The square canvas board was divided into 16 squares. A design was created within a square module that could be reflected, repeated, or flipped. Student were given parameters for each square to demonstrate a particular colorways illustrated below in the diagram I developed.
Students learned how to mix colors to create secondary colors from primary colors. This project was engineered to have several levels. There were specific boundaries to work within on the composition so that the end design would be a module that would be assembled into a larger group design, yet each unit would reflect the student’s own style.
Final work comprised of 20 separate paintings.
The Form Study challenges student to explore forms isolating this element by rendering them in a value scale. Students render a large still-life comprised of white forms. Then the exercise challenges them to create an abstraction from the original composition. This bring a new skill in developing a grid and exploring re-framing a new composition extracted from the original drawing. Students create a simple contour drawing of the new extracted composition then are challenged to enlarge that drawing 200% using a grid to enlarge the extraction.
The final three drawings of this exercise includes s a well-drawn contour drawing, a drawing rendered with point and line, and a color rendering.
This was a project I developed for my 2D Foundations class. Students were provided a flat box to explore line, pattern and contour drawings. One of the goals was to provide some continuity from panel to panel. Student could use color or could use monochromatic ink. Students then had to cut out the box template, score the edges and assemble them. They were evaluated on craftsmanship as well as originality of design and innovation.
I was inspired to change up the final project for my 2D Foundations Class this year which was to be centered around color, color mixing and utilizing primary, secondary and tertiary colors derived solely by mixing primary colors. In the past I had student develop patterns on a square canvas with specific areas that were designated as primary, secondary and tertiary — but this particular class was highly motivated and exceptionally creative, so I knew that they would be up to the challenge of doing something collaborative and also more intense. So, I engineered a perpetual calendar that would be installed in the department administrator’s office. I worked out how many rows we would need, how many blanks we would need for the year and also how many letters we would need to create the months.
We used chipboard letters and numbers. Students could position the numbers where they wanted to into their designs. The letters for the months and days of the week were positioned in the center of each canvas. I made a template to help student to position the letters in the proper position. The letters were attached with liquid nails.
Additionally, I worked out how we would install the art after all the components were painted. The students picked numbers out of a box to split up the tasks. We used 8×8 canvases. The edges were painted black and we used 1″ female velcro on the back vertical edges to mount on a grid made from 2″ male velcro. Each number in a month was pre-designated as a particular color scheme, but students could decide the design of their square.
Students installing the calendar in the Administrator’s office.
The final calendar.
Students develop landscapes where they are the little subjects in a large environment. Student work in the photo studio to take pictures in poses for their landscape and learn to create crisp silhouettes and shadow effects within a photographed environment.
This project utilizes Photoshop where students create a unique color wheel and explore color.
Below are examples of Children Book Projects by students. Many of these students were not art majors. The project required them to use Adobe CC: In-Design, Photoshop, Illustrator and/or Procreate to write, design and execute a children’s book. Most students illustrated their books in Adobe Illustrator and assembled them in Adobe InDesign. Students learned book construction and layout design and how to prepare files for commercial printing. The books were professionally through MagCloud.
This is a collection of student work from my 2D Foundations class. Students explore the principles of design through a variety of exercises that enable them to explore concepts, execute designs and practice craftsmanship to begin a strong foundation for core concentrations.
12″ x 12″ on Canvas. Student created a square module design, then created a repeated pattern on the square canvas to demonstrate and execute color mixing and specific palettes. All colors were derived from red, yellow and blue + black and white.
Student had to choose 6 values and a shape to create their portraits in grayscale. The size of each final artwork is 18″x24″
