PROJECT 09: Painted Portrait in Blue.

Project Description

Create a 9" x 12" self-portrait in acrylic paint using the Dick Blick Ultramarine Blue and Titanium White. Use the value scale you created for your previous project as a reference to achieve 11 different values in your composition. There will be no blending/shading of paint with this assignment, instead break the image down into shapes that represent the changes in value.

Class Schedule

Homework (Due at beginning of class)
1. Create five distinct/different comprehensive sketches showing unique options for your portrait. Use cropping, directional light source, and framal reference, to create the most dynamic and interesting composition possible. 

2. Have your final composition drawn out on 9" x 12" bristol board, and map out all the values ranging from black (#11) to white (#1). 

Note: You will receive a full project grade on your homework. This will be graded at the beginning of class.

Class work-time
You will have the full class time to paint in your portrait. This painting will be completed during class time. It will not be taken home, so be sure to use your time well.

Note: Assignments will be collected and graded at end of class.

Critique
Please hang work and be prepared to start critique at beginning of class.  This will be a quick critique. We will start on the next project for the second half of the class.

Rubric

You will be assessed on the overall composition (dynamic and interesting), craftsmanship (even paint surface with no brush strokes, clean edges on paper, no marks/dirt/paint smears on paper), and range of value (full range of values from black to white- with 11 steps).

Student Examples

PROJECT 08: Acrylic Value Scale in Blue.

Description

Using Dick Blick Ultramarine Blue and white acrylic, paint at least three full pages of distinct values going from black to white. You will have 24 swatches on each page. 

From these swatches, pick the appropriate values to create a scale representing eleven EVEN steps from black  to white. 

Mount your swatches on presentation board for critique. 

Due Dates/Critique

Lambert's class: Tue, October 21st

Samimy's class: Wed, October 22nd

Materials

-Ultramarine Blue and Titanium White acrylic

-9x12 inch bristol board x 2

-Pallet knife

-1" Brush (bright)

-2 cups (for water)

-Paint palette (aluminum foil)

-Paper Towels

Process/Schedule

First Class Period

1. Lay out grid (to create your swatches) on bristol board. 
2. Lay paints out on palette, and mix paints starting from black (or white) and adding incremental amounts of the opposite color. Mix paint throughly and brush-in swatches to fill the entire page. Each swatch should have consistent color, and be a unique value. The goal is to create as many distinct values as you can. Fill in each rectangle of your grid with a solid value. Be sure you have values represented from from black (straight from the tube) progressing to middle gray, and continuing through light grays toward bright white (also straight from the tube). 
3. Clean your workspace and all your painting materials (brushes, palettes, etc)

Second Class Period

1. Finish painting your two pages of value swatches. You may need more than 2 pages.
2. Lay out your black presentation board, using the guidelines provided below.
3. With a metal ruler, and cutting board, carefully cut-out your painted swatches so they are exactly the same size (1" x 2"). Make sure cuts are clean, by using a new x-acto blade. NO CUTTING DIRECTLY ON TABLES. These have to be as close to perfect as possible.

Homework

1. Finish laying out your black presentation board, using the guidelines provided. 
2. Bring your presentation board to class, along with your x-acto knife. 
3. Finish cutting out your swatches, if not finished in class.

Final Class Period (Half-day)

1. Select the best swatches from your entire page that represent 11 consistent steps in value. 
2. Show your presentation board (with layout lines/grid) to instructor. Once it has been given the ok, proceed with mounting of swatches. DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOUR LAYOUT HAS BEEN APPROVED.
3. Using rubber cement, carefully glue swatches to presentation board. There should be no gaps between swatches, and all swatches should be perfectly aligned. 
4. Let rubber cement dry slightly, and remove any excess glue with the appropriate eraser. 
5. Neatly Label (name and date) your work with hard pencil in lower right-hand corner. 
6. Cut and tape tissue paper sheet to act as protector. 

The final 30 mins of class will be reserved for critique.

Rubric

You will be evaluated on the following:

1. Laying out your bristol board into an even grid (even measurements, straight lines).

2. Your ability to mix the paints evenly. 

3.  Painting swatches that are free of brush strokes, or excessive paint build up.

4.  Filling up your entire page with different/distinct values.

5. Choosing the best 11 swatches that represent even steps from black to white. 

6. Laying out your presentation board neatly (consistent measurements, and centered)

7. Cutting out your swatches, and mounting them to the presentation board. 

8. Removing excess glue and having all your swatches line up evenly. 

Layout Measurements

PROJECT 07: Fairchild Tropical Garden Field Work

Description

While at Fairchild Tropical Gardens, pick a few different vantage points/subjects, and create 4 distinct compositions in your sketchbook. These should all fit on one page in your sketchbook. These should be observational drawings, and based on one of the following: Plant life (botanical), landscape, or architecture (buildings, etc). 

Choose the best composition from your four thumbnail sketches, and create a fully resolved painting or drawing on full page in your sketchbook. (You may use a loose piece of similar sized, high quality paper instead).