October 29th, 2018

What’s DUE?

  1. VALUE RANGE RESEARCH: Post your paragraphs and 3 final images (broad, narrow high key and narrow low key) to the class blog.
  2. VALUE SCALE RESEARCH: Finish the exercise we started in class and bring it to class.
  3. Project #2: Phase 4 Deliver Post should be posted!

Materials needed:

  • Download and PRINTOUT 5 laser prints of your image from this link (DOWNLOAD)
    NOTE: if you didn’t get your photograph taken, choose someone else’s portrait to print.
  • sketchbook, 9×12″ Bristol, pencils, eraser, knife/scissors, ruler/T-square, drafting tape.

Discussion:

Cubism and Portraits

Vocabulary review from last class:

  • Elements: Value
  • Principles: Emphasis, Focal Point, Contrast

New: 

  • Closed-Value: Values are limited by the boundaries of shapes and clearly isolate individual parts of the composition. This type of composition could create dramatic mood through contrasting values.
  • Open-Value: Values cross shape boundaries, integrating parts with adjoining areas and unifying the composition. This type of composition could create a mysterious fog or haze using closely related values.
  • Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds divides a composition into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. It is considered a compositional rule of thumb. The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines and avoid the middle square that your composition is more balanced.
  • Proportion: Relationship between parts of a whole or related units. (such as a the human body, or picture plane)
  • Scale: Associations of size, related to a constant size, unit of measure, or relative whole.
  • Movement: creates action and leads the viewer’s eye through a composition.

Lab: Project #3

Create (2) collage compositions, each on 9×12″ bristol, that use CONTRAST, changes in VALUE, and VISUAL HIERARCHY to direct the viewer to a clear FOCAL POINT.

  • Use the printouts of the portraits taken in class (DOWNLOAD HERE)
  • Cut apart your portrait into one or more types of shapes: squares, rectangles, triangles, diamonds… Use as many copies of the portrait as you need!
  • Rearrange and experiment with your portrait pieces to create (2) new Cubist-style portraits.
    • (1) Narrow Value Range: either high-key or low-key
    • (1) Broad Value Range
  • In each composition:
    • Consider both the figure and the ground. Your background (ground) should support the portrait (figure).
    • Create a Focal Point wherein one area or element is Emphasized through Contrast in Scale and Value.
    • Use Visual Hierarchy to clearly direct the viewer’s eye to the focal point.
    • Use Value steps from light to dark to support transitions from one compositional element to another.
    • Your composition could be closed-value or an open-value .
    • Fill the entire compositional space (9″x12″) with collage pieces, even if your background is primarily white, black, gray or a gradation from light to dark.
    • Position each piece in your collage composition and use a small bit of tape on the back of each piece to adhere your pieces to the bristol.
  • DO NOT GLUE YET!
    • Have the Professor review your work before continuing.
    • Take a photo of your finished and approved collages, just for future reference.
  • NEXT
    • Once approved, carefully glue your collage pieces to the bristol, taking care not to get glue on the front. Use a wet paper towel or rag to keep your hands clean, and a piece of tracing paper to smooth out the glued collage pieces.
    • Keep everything clean and neat.

Homework/Supplies

  1. Complete 1 collage before next class. We will work in class to refine and complete our collage compositions.
  2. Come prepared to work. Bring the following:
    • Sketchbook, 9×12″ Bristol, pencils, eraser, knife/scissors, drafting tape, glue