Week 1

Tuesday 8/27:  Syllabus & Introductions
Screen: Sherry Turkle: Connected but Alone

Homework:
Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: Introduction
PDF Provided via email.

Thursday 8/29:  Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: Introduction Discussion & Frame Exercise

Frame: Drawing 8x10 boundaries in your 11x14 Sketchbook
Frame Orientation Review: Portrait & Landscape
Six Basic Rules of Composition Introduction: See Link
Rule of Thirds: 1

• Take the provided piece of paper to a place anywhere within or near the 2-D classroom. Consider what could be "framed" by your paper within your chosen site. Cut or tear the paper in such a way that it becomes an unbroken, empty frame. 
• Make the hole any size or shape you like, so long as it fits inside the boundaries of the paper rectangle. 
• Once the hole is made, tape the frame to your chosen surface, taking care to consider what "picture" or information you end up framing in the process. Use the Six Basic Rules of Composition to guide your choice.
• This should take fifteen minutes at most. When you are done, return to the room and be prepared to lead the class to your picture.

TOOLS: Construction Paper, Scissors, X-acto Knife, Tape

Weekend Homework:

• Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH1 Section on Line  (pp. 1-10) 
• PDF Provided via email.
• Purchase/gather all items on your Materials List. 

Week 2

Tuesday 9/3: Dot, Line & Shape Exercise
Screen:  Katy Patterson
               Yayoi Kusama

• In your sketchbook, make a "dot sampler" using the widest variety of tools and materials available.
• On a second page create a "line sampler" using the widest variety of tools and materials available.
• On a third page create a "shape sampler" using a ruler. 

Homework:
Find an interesting black and white photograph by a photographer from the list on the right. Make sure that you really like the image. Print it out (8x10) in black and white.

Also, collect a handful of technical pens. Bring to class on Thursday.

Thursday 9/5: Linear Networks Project (8x10)

• Sketchbook Exercise:  Using a technical pen, experiment with different methods of creating areas of value and texture. Stippling, cross-hatching, cross-contour, and controlled squiggles could be used separately or in combination to render a wide range of effects. Reference your reading and try all examples listed there. (30 min)
• Place a sheet of vellum over the photograph that you have printed out. Using your Linear Networks that you have practiced, translate your black and white photograph--or fragments of photograph--into a single pen and ink composition. Consider the transition between the images and the overall composition. Use the remaining class-time to work and finish over the weekend if necessary.

 

TOOLS: Variety of Pencils, Technical Pen, Ink,  11x14 Sketchpad
 
Weekend Homework:
Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH1 Section on Shape  (pp. 11-22)
Purchase/gather all items on your Materials List. Bring all to class next Tuesday. 

Week 3

Your instructor will be in Richmond, VA for the entire week, installing her artwork . You will be required to come to class this week to work together as a group, as it is important to share ideas and materials between yourselves. You will be required to complete both assignments for critique next Tuesday. Feel free to email any questions and I will respond within 24 hrs.

Be prepared to research/read for one hour per project. The actual projects should have at least three hours of work time invested in each. IT WILL BE EVIDENT if you do not fully invest the time in these projects.

Tuesday 9/10: Shape Project (8x10)

• Choose a significant painting by an artist from the list below. Be sure you choose one that you are very attracted to. Print it out in color (8x10) for reference and save it for critique. 
• Remember that the painting you choose to work with will be translated through collage and in addition to that, only a portion of the work chosen needs to be evaluated by your “zooming in” and focusing on a section of the image. 
• Try to discover a suitable composition and use only a few types of shapes to render your project. Recreate the "cropped" portion of the painting using only shapes of solid colored construction paper.

Van Gogh

De Chirico
Rosso Fiorentino
Picasso (rose period)
Marc Chagall
Matisse
August Macke
Oskar Kokoschka
Boccioni
Cabanel
Egon Schiele
Edward Hopper
Andy Warhol

Man Ray

Homework:
Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH1 Section on Textures  (pp. 23-27)

Thursday 9/12: Texture Project (8x10)

• Explore all of the textures in your immediate surroundings. Using white paper and a variety of colored pencils, create rubbings (as described in your chapter) of an array of textures (20 or more). 
• Then, peruse old magazines and collect an array of visual textures (not pictures--swathes of texture). 
• Finally, scour your surroundings for flat but textural materials (sandpaper, fabric, tinfoil). 
• Once you have a nice array of textures to work with, create an original 8x10 collage using the three types of textures described in your reading.
• Your artwork can be a self portrait, or an abstract composition as long as it is original. 
• You may work from a photograph of yourself or a photograph of an abstraction that you took yourself for reference. Bring the reference photo to critique next Tuesday.
• Research Gustavo Oritz  and  Romare Bearden for inspiration.

 

TOOLS:  Construction Paper, Glue, Scissors, X-acto Knife, Colored Pencils, 11x14 Sketchpad

Week 4

Tuesday 9/17: Critique Day
Bring the following projects to class for discussion and grading:

• Linear Networks drawing and its reference photo.
• Shape Project and its reference painting.
• Textural Project and its reference photo.

After Critique, glue your projects into your sketchbooks, with the reference image on the left and final artwork on the right.


Homework:
Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH1 Section on Value (pp. 28-35)

Thursday 9/19: Value Exercise

• Create a value scale in your sketchbook using  a chosen geometric shape to identify the darkest value (black), the lightest value (white) and 8 gray variations from the scale. Use charcoal. (15-30 min)
• Repeat on a second page and instead of rubbing charcoal to achieve the value, use the  cross-hatching technique to achieve your value scale. (30-60 min)
• On a third page draw a very light circle with a 10" diameter. Using charcoal and your value skills, turn your circle into a sphere. Make sure you identify an imaginary light source and that reflective area should be your only "pure white" area. (20-30 min)
• On a fourth page draw a very light circle with a 10" diameter. Using pencils, the crosshatching techniques, and your value skills, turn your circle into a sphere. Make sure you identify an imaginary light source and that reflective area should be your only "pure white" area. (20-30 min).

TOOLS: Ruler, Compass, Pencils, Charcoals, 11x14 sketchpad

Weekend Homework:
Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH2 Section on Color (pp. 38-49)

Week 5

Tuesday 9/24: Chapter One Quiz & Introduction to Color Wheel Project

• Quiz is an open book quiz and is in your email as a .docx. Please open, complete it (typed), and print out to turn in on Thursday.
• Start searching for color! Go to thrift stores, yard sales, grocery stores, search your pantry, closets, and drawers for objects that are the colors that will support your color wheel idea.

Thursday 9/26: Color Wheel Project (Research/Studio Day--bring laptops & tablets and colorful things to "play" with!)

• Research the history of the Color Wheel and examine at how its depiction has evolved over time.
• Create a unique and contemporary color wheel using unconventional materials (photographs, collages, fabrics, food, etc…). Be sure to include 12 colors (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary).
  Decide on an interesting design for your color wheel that departs from the standard. Keep in mind that your color wheel should function legibly as one. Start with at least 10 thumbnail sketches to start with your brainstorming, further develop 2, and choose one to complete for your final color wheel. You may want to can reference some example color wheels on the Internet to get some general ideas, but make sure yours is original.
  Consider how you will treat the space around your color wheel. Will you use solid black, solid white, some shade of grey, or develop some type of environment for your color wheel to exist within? What type of background will be most interesting to pair with your design?  

Weekend Homework:
Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH2 Section on Color (pp. 50-62)

Week 6

Tuesday 10/1: Studio Day ~ Color Wheel
Bring all necessary materials to class!

Thursday 10/3:  Color Wheel Critique
After critique, photograph your project and print the photograph. Glue the photograph into your sketchbook.

Week 7

Tuesday 10/7:    
Introduction to Artists Presentations 
Each of you will be required to deliver a research presentation next week. You are provided with a list of topics and artists to choose from, located on our blog.  Your presentation should be no more than 10 minutes in length and it should outline the key ideas and/or information surrounding your chosen topic as they apply to 2D Design. Please use images to support your talk. Please site your sources on the last page of your presentation. You may use PowerPoint or www.prezi.com.
 
Color Scheme and Text Project (8x10)

Screen: Helvetica

Screen: Ed Ruscha

• Choose ONE WORD from the English Language. In your sketchbook, define it.
• Choose ONE FONT from Microsoft Word. In your sketchbook, rationalize that choice by discussing its visual cues and the contextual references imbedded in it. Your font may be Black or White. 
• Choose ONE COLOR. In your sketchbook, rationalize that choice by discussing its visual cues and the cultural emotional references imbedded in it.
• Develop a series of thumbnail sketches. Choose one to further develop in preparation for your final composition.

HOMEWORK:
Research Presentation Topics and bring in your top 3 choices. You will sign up for your chosen topic on Thursday!

Thursday 10/9: STUDIO-Color Scheme and Text Project &
Mid Term Sketchbook Check!!!

• Create a monochromatic design containing these three elements. The design should conceptually & visually support your investigation of these three elements. You will most likely need to trace your font as to accurately represent it in your composition. (8x10)
  

TOOLS: Pencils, Brushes, Acrylic Paint, Masking Tape, 11x14 Sketchbook


Homework:

• Chapter 2 Quiz (Open Book) Print and bring to class on Tuesday.
• Prepare your presentation.

Week 8

Tuesday 10/15 
Research Presentations


Thursday 10/17
Research Presentations


Weekend Homework:

Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH3 Section on Unity and Variety (pp. 66-73) Then:

• Research Gee's Bend Quilts. Print out two of your favorite compositions (in color if possible) and bring with you to class. 
• Make THREE 8X10 SKETCHES (Pencil) for Tuesday's in class assignment.

Week 9

Tuesday 10/22: Patterns and Grids Project (8x10)

• Choose one or more geometric shapes.
• Choose a color palate. You will be using acrylic paint, and you may mix them. (Remember that cool low intensity colors tend to recede into space, and while warm, high intensity colors tend to advance into space.)
• Create a composition that forms a pattern comprised of the geometric shapes and specific color pallet to practice the creation of containment, increase continuity, strengthen proximity, and encourage closure. 
• Research The Quilts of Gee's Bend for inspiration.

 

Thursday 10/24: Studio ~ Patterns and Grids


Homework:
Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH3 Section on Unity and Variety (pp. 74-87)

• Research Piet Mondrian and Alex Calder for Thursday's in-class assignment below. Print out two of your favorite compositions (in color if possible) and bring with you to class. You may also show me on your phone or on your laptop if you do not have access to a printer.
• Make THREE 8X10 SKETCHES (Pencil) for Thursday's in-class assignment.

Week 10

Tuesday 10/29:   Asymmetrical Balance (8x10) with Guest Artist Filipe de Sousa

• Create a geometric
  composition that that demonstrates your understanding of Asymmetrical Balance. Research Piet Mondrian and Alex Calder for inspiration.
• Choose one of the following Color Schemes:

1. Analogous
2. Complimentary
3. Monochromatic
4. Split Complementary
5. Triadic

TOOLS: Ruler, Pencils, Colored Pencils, Paint Brushes, Acrylic Paint, 11x14 Sketchbook

Thursday 10/31:  Studio ~ Asymmetrical Balance with Guest Artist Filipe de Sousa - Happy Halloween!

Homework:

• Chapter 3 Quiz (Open Book) Please print and bring to class on Tuesday.
• Research Mandala's and African  Textiles for Tuesday's in-class assignment below. Print out two of your favorite compositions (in color if possible) and bring with you to class. It is acceptable to show Filipe your choices via laptop if you do not have access to a color printer.
• Make THREE 8X10 SKETCHES (Pencil) for Thursday's in-class assignment.

Week 11

Tuesday 11/5:  Radial Symmetry and Rhythm Project (8x10) with Guest Artist Filipe de Sousa-
Choose one of the following.

• Create a composition that that demonstrates your understanding of Radial Symmetry. Research Mandalas for inspiration.

• Create a composition that that demonstrates your understanding of Rhythm. Research African Textiles for inspiration. 

TOOLS: Ruler, Pencils, Colored Pencils, Paint Brushes, Acrylic Paint, 11x14 Sketchbook

Thursday 11/7: LAB DAY
MEET WITH VAL AT 11AM TO TURN IN YOUR TEXT PROJECT, PATTERNS AND GRIDS PROJECT AND YOUR ASYMMETRICAL PROJECT FOR INCLUSION IN THE FOUNDATIONS EXHIBITION. PLEASE HAVE YOUR NAMES ON THE BACK. 



Homework:

• Revise all projects for final Crit on Tuesday!

• Read Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination: CH4 Section on Illusion of Space (pp. 91-104)

Week 12

Tuesday 11/12: 
MINI-CRIT with Guest Artist Filipe de Sousa- Color Schemes and Text Project,  Patterns and Grids Project & Radial Symmetry/Asymmetrical Balance/Rhythm Project.

• Hang all project that are not in the Gallery Exhibition in a neat row on the wall.
• Filipe will guide the class through a quick overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each project. 
• When your work is critiqued, TAKE NOTES in your sketchbook.
• Spend your time between now and Thursday revising EACH PROJECT to make it strong, refined and clean.

Homework:

• In your sketchbook, follow the directions on this handout and practice these three exercises. (Click on the image below and it will expand in a new window.) GO BIG. Use an entire 11x 14 page for each.

TOOLS: Ruler, Pencils, Colored Pencils, Erasers, 11x14 Sketchbook, Paper Provided

Thursday 11/14:  Attend Gallery Event!

Week 13

Tuesday 11/19: One Point Perspective Project

• Choose one exercise from below:

1. Draw an imaginary abstraction of boxes demonstrating your understanding of One Point Perspective. Choose an interesting palate and shade them to accentuate volume.
2. Take a walk around the art department and find a spot that has an excellent still life area to draw a One Point Perspective composition. Create a simple but demonstrative drawing. We are not looking for details, just the basic shapes that form the composition.

TOOLS: Pencils, Erasers, Ruler, 11x14 Sketchbook




Thursday 11/21: Two Point Perspective Project (Final Project)

• Watch demo and then practice the technique.
• Using block text that spells your name, demonstrate your understanding of Two Point Perspective. 
• Shade the letters appropriately to accentuate depth and volume. You may use acrylic paint or colored pencils.
• Develop a background image to support your text. The background must demonstrate some principle of 2D Design that you have learned in this course. 

For Instance: 

1. Your text could be painted white, using grey tones to shade the sides to emphasize Three Dimensionality of the letters, and your background could be a grid or pattern painted with primary colors.
2. Your text could be painted with warm and cool tones too emphasize Three Dimensionality of the letters, and your background could be a traced image of a landscape painted in chromatic greys.

• 
  

TOOLS: Pencils, Erasers, Ruler, Acrylic Paint 11x14 Sketchbook

Week 14

Tuesday 11/26:  Perspective Critique & Final Sketchbook Project 

• Bring 1 & 2  point perspective projects for critique.
• Take notes in your sketchbook. 
• After critique, refine them based on critique and glue them back into your sketchbooks.

Thursday 11/28:  Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 15

Tuesday 12/3
Studio Day!
Finish/Perfect all works for Final Individual Critique and Final Sketchbook Check.

Thursday 12/5
Individual Final Critique
Sign up on door of my office.
Bring sketchbook.

Week 16

Tuesday 12/10:
Pick up Sketchbooks from my office after 2PM. 
Rm 259