Mixed Media Collage

A KEY: a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt. any of various devices resembling or functioning as a key. something that affords a means of access. something that secures or controls entrance to a place.

This simple, everyday object can take on many meanings. It can be used in different contexts and have special attributes. Using a KEY as your main inspiration, create a mixed media collage expressing your thoughts and visual commentary on that key. You will use various mediums and techniques to create layers, emphasis, visual movement, and unity in a well balanced composition. Feel free to bring in objects and materials of your own as well as what will be provided in class.



Watercolor Exteriors

It is time for a new medium again! We have worked on interior spaces and learned some basic perspective. Now you will utilize this skill and move outside. You can choose if you'd like to do a landscape or cityscape, people or buildings, dull or light colors. The options are open. Your only requirements are that your view is of an exterior scene, some perspective must be seen, and the medium used is watercolors. I have 3 different watercolor mediums that can be used: pencil, palettes, or liquid concentrate. It will be up to you which one you work best with. You can choose your scene from an actual picture you took or one you research and bring to class. The picture must have color! Review some examples below to start your brainstorming.....

Georgia O'Keefe Inspired Studies

In our exploration of media, you have experienced working with pencil, pen, marker, colored pencils, charcoal pencils and sticks, acrylic paint, some with watercolors, and now we will take a look at oil pastels. Our next project will focus on the artist Georgia O'Keefe as a reference for our subject matter and techniques. Please take a brief moment to read the biography of Georgia O'Keefe. Her work is very unique and has a style that is very conducive to the qualities of oil pastels. Below I have included examples of some of her artworks. These should be a guide for how to create your work. We will be using various flowers and leaves in class for still life inspiration, as well.

Here is an image of different oil pastel techniques. You may choose to apply some of these techniques to your work:

Georgia O'Keefe's work: *Please make a note of her color use and her viewpoint in each image.

TYPOGRAPHY

aRT WITh WorDS

Typography: The art of creating with type.

We have done a lot of artwork using your right brain and your fine art eye. Now we are going to focus your left brain on some design work. It will be your option to choose the subject matter of your work and from there we will create drawings using text ONLY. Look at the examples below to start your planning....

These examples all focus on EMOTION. I would like you to choose some type of expressive theme, image, or scene that you can express in your artwork.



THANKSGIVING BREAK WORK!!!

4 DAYS OFF! Enjoy your holiday but don't forget about your work. You need to be conitnually working on finishing any of the previous assignments. They need to be finalized and ready for final photography. Portfolios are quickly approaching! Also, you have 2 weeks to FINALIZE your concentration theme. It must be ready BEFORE Christmas break. It is time to make your artwork a PRIORITY!

Check out the AP website for portfolio details and requirements: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2134.html

Don't wait until it's too late!

Self-Portraits!

Here is your opportunity to use some creaitivity! You can use any medium you would like, create an expression or interesting view, and don't forget about the background! Starting with pencil and studying the features of the face will be key in the beginning. Once you have your porportions figured out, go in with the detail to make it look like you! ***Email me your media requests ASAP so I can gather the supplies you need!

Figure Drawing

We will learn how to better illustrate the human figure using various practice techniques. Using various figurative images from print as well as using live models will help us grasp the human figure in multiple ways. You will need to do a minimum of 10 figure studies in your sketchbook as personal practice. In class, 2-3 final drawings will be completed, including shading and detail, to use as portfolio work. Start your practice NOW!

Interior Perspective

Now we're going to move from your fine art aesthetic to your design aesthetic. If you don't have experience with the rules of perspective you should do some research and practice. Starting Tuesday you will find a suitable spot around the building to demonstrate your perspective view. You must recreate what you see using perspective and point of view. Pencil will be your main medium but you can introduce pen/ink into your detail if you'd like. Depth and Space should be your main elements to create. Good Luck!

Stretching A Canvas

This week we will be making our canvases for our Artist Influence Paintings. I will supply all the materials along with an in class demonstration. To get a head start, feel free to view this video demonstration provided by DickBlick.com on how to stretch a canvas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cm6JlY57Zg

Contemporary Artist Painting

                       Contemporary Artist Painting

Students must research a contemporary artist to use as the model for their painting. This artist must be relevant, still making art, and interest you in either their style and/or subject matter. Students need to explore an artist through writing and drawing in their sketchbooks. This includes one page of informal research (bullet points are fine) and 4 sketches. The research should be a mini biography explaining their background, artistic inspiration, current exhibitions, and any other relevant information. Your sketches should resemble the artist either through their subject matter or their style. Some intriguing artists to consider may be:

Paul Andrus
Dion Archibold
Banksy
Janet Fish
Anselm Keifer
Raquel Martins
Rebecca Silus
Michael Sprouse

Still Life Exercise

To help evolve our drawing skills, we will spend a week on close up still life drawings. Using viewfinders, you will focus on an area of the items presented to create a successful composition. You will use various materials such as: conte crayon, charcoal pencil, pen, and colored pencil on various paper sizes. Above you can see examples of similar drawings.

Welcome to AP Art Studio 2012-2013

AP Art Studio is going to be fun and intense! I am glad all of you decided to be apart of the initial year and together we will make this a success for all. So let's get your artistic hands moving NOW!

Below I have listed your sketchbook assignments. This must be brought to class completed once we return from our "break". Be prepared to discuss your work with your teacher and your classmates, as this will be common practice throughout the school year.

Everyone must keep a working sketchbook at all times. This book should be with you EVERYDAY to record any ideas, thoughts, sketches, and practices from your artistic mind that you can capture.  It will be your building block to a successful portfolio and will be part of the grading process. You will get one sketchbook with your art fees paid and any replacements or supplements will be at your cost.

Sketchbook Assignments:

10 DRAWINGS: You may use any media of your choice including but not limited to: pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, collage, and/or mixed media to create 10 sketchbook page drawings based on possible themes you are interested in pursuing for your Concentration* portion of the AP Art Portfolio. These drawings can be about any idea and are based on your interpretation. They should have a wide range of possibilities for us to discuss and one will later be chosen as your final theme. 

*The Concentration portion of the AP Art Portfolio is based on a body of work that is unified by an underlying idea that has visual coherence. Please follow the links to find examples of student Concentrations in past AP Art Portfolios: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/214575.html

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/218380.html

10 DRAWINGS: You may use any drawing media of your choice including but not limited to: pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, and/or watercolor to create 10 sketchbook page drawings based on observation from life. These life drawings can originate from places (landscapes-urban or rural), objects in nature, objects in everyday life, people, and animals. These will be discussed and looked at to determine your strengths and weaknesses. As teacher and student, we will work together to highlight your strengths and adjust your weaknesses while building your portfolio. Please follow the links to find examples of various life drawings done by AP Art Studio students.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/Dr_C_4_Gongaware_06_lg.jpg

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/Drawing-Con-Hardiman-1-l.jpg