Pattern Projects and New Due dates

Examples of Pattern Project (7th grade) - each individual square has a different pattern inside it, just like the patterns you are to create for your homework. When we repeat those patterns they become motifs. Click on the images to enlarge.

7th grade - Your new project will incorporate what you have learned about lines and how to create them. You'll be using patterns to create motifs. A motif is a sequence of images or a design which repeats, over and over again. In order to create the motif you have to first create the pieces to your motif. This is your homework assignment which is Due Thursday, 9/23/10.

You must create a minimum of 20 different patterns. You should draw each of these patters in your sketch book in 1 inch squares. Draw patterns that have overall dark, light, and in-between values. To decide whether your pattern is light or dark or something in the middle, look at your small pattern from across the room so that it's hard to see the details. What you'll notice from far away is your patterns value - either light or dark. Try doing this while you complete some of your patterns. You'll need some light valued patterns and some dark valued patterns for this project. Good luck.

Art 3 - Your Duck stamp paintings are due at the end of class Thursday, 9/23/10. You all have done very well but don't quit before your painting is complete. Detail, detail, detail - that's what is going to make your duck stand out. Add extra colors where possible, like in the reflections in the water. We will discuss the new project in class on Tuesday. See you in class - Mr. Kelley

7th Grade Hand Drawings

7th Graders: You started your Picture Plane Project drawings in class on Thursday. Several of you refused to listen carefully in class when I repeated each step several times. The last post on this blog gave you a link for ALL the steps that you are to take to do this project correctly. If you have questions on the steps, refer to this post. For all other issues that do not deal with questions like "What do I do next?" you may email me or call me and I will help you solve the issue. Once again, do not contact me if you are confused about the steps of the project - I will simply tell you to check this blog post.

These Projects will be due on September 21st (Tuesday)

Hand Drawings - Seeing Contours

(click on each image to view larger)

7th Grade - Your homework over the weekend is to do 10 different hand drawings using the picture frame (aka=Picture Plane) that I gave you. Here is the link to the step-by-step http://cccafinearts.blogspot.com/2010/02/picutre-plane-drawings.html

IMPORTANT: Only do steps 1-3 in the link! Do not do ANY shading of the hand drawings. We will do this in class.

Your 10 final drawings in your sketchbook should look like the images in this post. I want to see every edge in your hand. That means wrinkles, shadow lines and highlight lines, and anything else that forms a line or shape on your hand. Talk to me if you have problems. Good luck - Mr. Kelley

Art 2&3 - Project details and Homework

Hey guys - your homework is to bring your supplies to class (sketchbooks - minimum 8x10"; no glossy paper, pen, and pencils). Also you need a minimum of 3 duck photos to choose from in class. Color photos only - YOU MUST KNOW THE SPECIES IN THE PHOTO. For a list of species click on the link found in the post from Aug. 17th. Remember to do thumbnail sketches in your sketchbook to determine which backgrounds to use with your ducks.

Thanks to everyone for bringing your email addresses with your parent's signatures. I'm plugging them in on the blog as you read this.

Be ready to paint on Tuesday. See you then - Mr. Kelley

PS - CLICK HERE to see some past Duck stamp winners.

7th grade - Project #1: Value Studies - DUE Aug.31st

Example of finished Project. Rows (top to bottom) = hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, initial, blending

Example of using 1 inch sections to help go from dark to light

Your first project is dealing with Value and Line. As mentioned in class, there are several methods of achieving value with lines. Here are the ways we covered (study these terms and definitions....they will probably show up in a Quiz)




Hatching - The use of one set of parallel lines to create values. Click Here to see examples


Cross-Hatching - The use of multiple sets of parallel lines, which cross over each other, to create values Click Here to see examples




Stippling (Pointillism) - The use of dots, dashes, or points to create value Click Here to see examples




Blending - A method of creating flawless transitions between values by smudging the values together.



Your project is to draw 5 rows on your paper that I gave you in class. Each row should be 1x12 inches. (See example above) Use only ONE shading method in each row. Do not combine shading methods. Start with the darkest values on the left and end up with just white paper on the right. For the stippling row you may use a Sharpie marker to save time (see example). On the Blending row you may use your finger or a Q-Tip to "smear" your lines. I can help you with this in class. Look at the examples given and contact me if you have questions. Remember - the most important thing is to have good craftsmanship; no smudges outside the rows and no creases in the paper. Clean your paper after you've finished shading by erasing all unwanted marks. Good luck.

PS - Bring your syllabus stubs with your parent's signature and an email address. Also bring your Sketchbook, mechanical pencils, and felt-tipped pen. Remember - it's 2pts off your project grade each time you don't bring your supplies to class.

NEW YEAR - Welcome Class

It's a new year and we have a lot to do. I hope that everyone will work hard and take advantage of this class blog - it will be your place to find all updates, study guides, tutorials outside of class and commentary from your peers. Remember to enter your email address in the box near the top to get automatic notices in your inbox whenever I make a new post.

First things first - Everyone needs to have their sketchbooks, pencils, and pens starting Thursday. THESE ARE MUST-HAVES IN EVER CLASS; DON'T FORGET THEM.

Also, 7th graders: I will be bringing poster board on Thursday for you to make your own portfolios. I'll be showing you how to do this.

Art 2&3: be looking for a paper portfolio at the arts stores around town. It's best to use a coupon to make this purchase. Don't get the leather portfolios unless you plan on being an artist for life....they are very pricey. If you really need to save some money, just buy two sheets of poster board and tape them together, leaving one of the longest sides open so that you can put your art in it. Some of you made these last year. Remember: Your portfolio has to be large enough to hold an 18x24 sheet of paper. Have these ready by next week and bring them to class on Tuesday.

Also - here is the link to see the Duck Stamp species. Look up each species that sounds interesting to you and print out three images that you'd like to use. Have the "color" print outs in class Thursday (black and white copies won't help you). http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm#GeneralInformation

If any of you have questions please send them to me through this blog or my email: jaredkelley@bellsouth.net

HOMEWORK - bring signed syllabus stub with email addresses on Thursday.

PROJECTS and HOMEWORK

Example of Egg study for homework

Example of creating a portrait starting with the highlights. Click to enlarge.

ART1&2 - Above you will find examples of your homework assignment and your current in-class final project. First the homework: Draw 5 egg sketches. You should setup your egg on a flat surface under a light source, like a desk lamp. Tone your sketchbook paper like we have been doing in class using the side of your pencil and a paper towel. Now erase the highlights on the egg and the light areas of the background. Move onto adding darker shadows until you have a finished egg study which resembles the egg you set up to look at. You need 5 different egg drawings. Make sure you have crisp lines for the edges of the egg and shadows.

You'll also see an example of the portrait drawings you are doing in class. I have posted a few images of a preliminary sketch I recently did for a client. The methods I am teaching you in class are the very methods that I use in my own art which I have found to be the most effective. You'll see that I tone the paper and then erase the lights and highlights in the face to begin. Afterwards I begin adding the darker shadows until satisfied. I sometimes add very light pencil marks after erasing the highlights to clarify the facial features. This is similar to how you completed your hand drawings a few weeks ago using the picture plane.

ART3 - Continue working on your striped fabric drawings. Gentleman: Suzanna has showed you how it's done. Her drawing is looking great and all because ..... she's actually working on it. As I mentioned in class, if there are any of you who would rather take a written exam as your final rather than doing this project I will allow you to do so. The condition is that you spend your art class time in the office studying for the exam or working on assignments for other subjects. The exam will be roughly 25 questions and I will make sure you have a study guide beforehand. It will only be worth a maximum of 45% of your "project" grade. You must let me know before the 14th if you wish to take this route.