Assignment 3: TWO Watercolor Series. Due Thursday, April 23,2020

Project Description

Create two compositions in watercolor and fine mechanical ink pen (optional) This project will work as a thematic series. Please follow all the elements and principles of art regarding your composition (rules apply to everything you do) and be creative on concept, subjects, positioning, asymetrical, use all sides, framing, cropping in, aware of value, contrast, perspective, heirachy, Figure/ground etc… all that we reviewed from the year. make the piece interesting using your creative skills. Your series can be interpretive, conceptual, you can also create abstractions from your subjects. there are many elements and ideas to be inspired by. compositions must be strong and still lives and whatever subject your working with needs to be placed into context so it looks aesthetically appealing to the eye. think of your themes. Don't take the easy way. challenge yourself and  create a beautiful complex resolved polished work of art. RESEARCH on the internet as well!

You will focus on your exploration with the watercolor medium to produce a pair of (2) either on 9x12 sheet of watercolor/bristol paper of if you don't have proper paper, paint in your sketchbook.


The watercolor paintings should addressing the Idea of abstractions or idea of scenic place and atmosphere in Florida. it can take different directions. Either totally interperative abstracted or more realism using the following starting points:

• Tropical flora, plant life, nature, details of flowers.
• Landscape/Seascape (details, underwater sea life and corals, above water scenic)
• Botanical/Biological - tropical fruits, native flowers, detail of palm leaves or other 
• Architecture  i.e. could be historic spanish style. look up viscaya or venetian pool
• Look up Viscaya or venetian pool or historical landmarkds that interest you.
• It can be totally abstract like artists Paul Klee and Sonia Delauney. look up work

both paintings canwork together to communicate your idea regarding place. This can be literal, or conceptual. use the idea of cropping of the page, balance the subject, create interesting positive negative spaces, movement, cohesive thematic series. 

Examples of literal places include: your garden or gardens, everglades, viscaya, south beach, south beach architecture, fairchild tropical gardens,  still life, observation of nature, historical landmarks, fruits, flowers, vegetation, native trees plants, beach, aquatic life underwater sea nature, exotic birds, fish, etc…. remember to really think of your composition and be thoughtful on how you are using the page area. resolve your painting in a professional way. clean, refined, well executed.

Examples of conceptual places include: the idea of nature, all the beautiful life we have around us. zoom in on it, beauty is in the details and unexpected discoveries so open your eyes and really explore! you can definitely google for different ideas or examples since we can't go out and stuck so really explore your imagination.

If you don't have watercolors you can use diluted acrylic paints, markers, colored pencils or whatever else you have available in your home. you can outline with fine point pen to enhance areas. be creative.

Reaearch Examples

Look up and research artists on google. should be helpful for inspiration and ideas. Use one of these artist and inspire your works from them. this should be helpful for color palette selection and Ideas.
Start with: 
Georgia O'keeffe
Sonia Delauney
Paul Klee
Henri Matisse
Raoul Dufy
Andre Derain
Hilma Klint
Marc Chagall
Wasily Kandinsky
Pierre Bonnard
Elizabeth Peyton
Francesco Clemente
Nigel Peake
William Turner watercolor studies 

Audubon society

You will be evaluated on the following:

• 20 pts- Homework/creative process (studies, ideas)
• 30 pts- Quality of Compositions (Design Elements, focal points, eye movement)
• 30 pts- Quality of Painting/Rendering (Craftsmanship, technique)
• 20 pts- Concept/theme (communication of your idea)

Here are some student samples just to see. but your work will be full pages edge to edge on watercolor paper or your sketchbook. if you don't have watercolors use color pencils or brush markers or water medium you have. you can also water down acrylics to get a watercolor fluidness.