FIRST SEMESTER PROJECTS
Assignment 1: Composition and Planes.
This assignment is done in the sketchbook. Students will do a number of drawings of individual objects, grouped objects, and thumbnails of a still life set up with the same items. Emphasis is put on the shading and expression of the planes of an object. Value and the rhythms within the work are the primary focus.
Painting 1: High Key Monochrome Painting (Tints).
From Assignment 1, choose a successful composition of the still life. Do a painting on a 9" x 12" canvas board where most of the values are light. All the values will be achieved by adding white to the chosen color. Any color which is derived from adding white is called a tint.
Assignment 2: Self-Portrait Sketch.
This assignment is done in the sketchbook. Do a three full-page drawings of your own face from different points of view. No frontal views. Dramatic lighting is encouraged.
Painting 2: Low Key Monochrome Painting (Shades).
From Assignment 2, choose one of the self-portraits and transfer the drawing to a 9" x 12" canvas panel. Paint the surface with only shades of a color which is the complement of the color used in Painting 1. All the values will be achieved by adding black to the chosen color.
Painting 3: Wrapped Object Imprimatura Painting.
Cover a 9" x 12" canvas panel with a neutral color (burnt umber or raw siena). Choose an engaging object and wrap it in some interesting material be it paper, plastic, cloth, etc... Only 10% of the object can be exposed. Do three thumbnails and choose the most interesting. Then using the wrapped object as subject matter, paint the composition over the prepared canvas, making sure to use some of your medium with the paint. Match color as closely as possible.
Painting 4: Landscape with Color Temperature.
Using an 11" x 14" prestretched canvas and several landscape sketches, capture the vibrance of the changing seasons. Accentuate the warm and cool colors. Use an underpainting of colors which are not present in the landscape.
Paper 1: Landscape Artist.
Write a three-page paper on the works of an artist who focused on the landscape. The paper should have a minimum 3 sources and be accompanied by some images of the artist's work. Add a cover page and bibliography. Citations from sources should be included. Note techniques used in the works somewhere in the text.
Painting 5: Broken Stroke Still Life.
Using Painting 1 as your ground, paint the same still life using the broken stroke technique. Apply paint in an impasto fashion. Allow elements of the underpainting to show through. This assignment investigates the concept of painterly space.
Painting 6: Dry Brush Self-Portrait.
Using Painting 2 as your ground, paint your self-portrait using the dry brush technique. Allow elements of the underpainting to show through, but not too much. This assignment also investigates the concept of painterly space.
Assignment 3: Trompe L'oeil Composition.
Using your sketchbook, draw at least three compositions using only geometric shapes. Be aware of rhythms that occur through the repetition of elements, varying sizes of objects, and directional movement. Please no gutters or symmetrical compositions.
Painting 7: Geometric Abstract Trompe L'oeil Painting.
Using an 18" x 24" prestretched canvas, create a collection of geometric forms (sphere, cube, cone, etc.) in a rhythmic composition. The forms must appear to exist in "real" space by using convincing chiaroscuro, and, perhaps, perspective. It will help to look carefully at geometric objects with dramatic lighting. Trompe l'oeil means "fool the eye" in French.
Painting 8: Master Copy.
Choose a painting from the history of art that interests you and paint it as close to the original as possible. Although there is no size requirement you should be aware of the size of the original work.
Paper 2: Master Work.
Write a two-page paper in which you examine the elements of the work which you have chosen for Painting 8. No sources or citations are required, you should write from your own observations. This paper is due at the same time as Painting 8.
