Part 1
Study the following three mixed media paintings. After completing the reading assignments, experiment with combining different media. Use the media required for this course by themselves or with others, as you wish. Try at least four different media combination when experimenting. Try conducting your experiments on watercolor paper, pastel paper, or gesso-primed paperboard. If you are planning to scan in your work, be sure it is thoroughly dry before scanning.. Make small compositions for this assignment. Use the “Teapot, Teacup” sketches from week 1 as a starting points for all four. Provide a verbal description of the techniques used.

First drawing – For this one I used marker to create the outlines of the teapot and cup. I then added layers of chalk pastel and more markers. I found that when you layer chalk pastel over marker, it creates a really nice faded but solid shadow. A muted color of whatever marker you used.

Second drawing – This drawing was started with an outline of the teapot and cup using charcoal pencil. Then, I used layers or marker and chalk pastel to get the colors I wanted. For the background I put drenched the paper with water and rubbed chalk pastel over it. This created an almost paste like consistency with the pastel, so I smeared it around and created a really neat texture.

Third drawing – For this drawing I used a lot of charcoal pencil to create the outline and shading of the teapot and cup. I then rubbed in colored chalk pastel and went back with more charcoal pencil. I used water and charcoal pencil for the smoky background.

Fourth drawing – For this final drawing I used a lot of chalk pastel and marker. I used the technique of layering chalk on top of the marker to create a faded but solid shadow. I wanted a really airy feel, so I used my finger a lot.

Part 2
Think about the following discussion points. Post your thoughts on any 2 of them in the Discussion Area. Your response should be no more than three paragraphs long. You may then respond to your classmates’ comments by the end of the week and submit your response to the Discussion Area. Try some of the techniques that others liked and report your results. You may also let us know about any new discoveries you have made since your initial response.

2) Did you discover any additional tips or tricks for mixing these techniques?

A trick I discovered was layering chalk pastel over wet marker. It creates a solid but muted shadow. Almost like a layer in Photoshop where the transparency is turned down. I really like how this looks so different than any of the medium being used to create it.

5) Locate an online tutorial or video demonstrating mixed media techniques and discuss what you learned.

I found this online tutorial at youtube.com. I really enjoy it because it shows how messy and fun mixed media can be. I also just love the energy of the artist. She uses so many things in her art: felt, gesso, paint, water, sponges, and much more. It’s just super. Very inspirational!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUZMKM2U1gw

Part 3
Choose one painting and discuss the question located below each image. Be specific.

Some illustrations focus on color rather than form. Do you think this approach would work better for a technical article or one that is more subjective in nature? Why?

I often like to do my illustrations focusing on color rather than form. I think it catches the eye and requires the viewer to really focus on the piece. I think this would work better for a subjective article, simply because it is almost subjective in its creation. It could be used in a technical article but to do so might take away the preciseness needed in most technical articles.

In the previous week, we had to submit concepts for an acrylic painting that will later be turned into a poster for an event.

Since I was so inspired by the movie, I decided to do a project based on “Where the Wild Things Are.”

IN PROGRESS

FINAL NO COPY:

FINAL WITH COPY:

I started with a black blackground.  I then waited until it dried and slowly added in layers of purple for where I wanted to place my monster and boy.  The purple was kind of like a draft for me since it doesn’t show up very well against the black.  I then went in and did layers of white and yellow to build up the eyes, teeth, crown, and boy’s costume.  After this all dried, which took some time, I went in with glazes of purples, bright blues, grays, greens, and teals to create the monster.  I used these glazes over the yellows, whites, as well as the black background.  This created some great depth.

This process took hours because it was so humid in FL while I was doing this (longer drying time), but I’m very happy with the outcome.

Assignment 3: Project 3: Concept Sketches

By Week 4, Day 4, select your best five or six concepts, scan them in, and post them to the Discussion Area so that your classmates can view them.

Now is the time to begin generating concepts for this project. The project is to create an illustration with appropriate copy, suitable for use as a poster to announce a special event of your choice, such as a music festival, carnival, parade, etc. The design should be primarily based upon visual imagery, not type. Siince this is a course based upon the use of traditional media, the illustration is of primary importance, as well as the tagline and concept.You may use your own method of approach for this stage or try some of the suggestions given. Keep in mind that the copy will be superimposed over the acrylic illustration. No digital backgrounds are acceptable, so plan your design accordingly.

Once you have collected several ideas, make small sketches for each (pencil is fine) with the intended copy printed beneath each one. Please indicate within the layout where you plan to place the copy. You can do this using double lines or pencil in the text. Prepare your sketches for professional presentation by formatting them with a black line around each one and space in between them so that they are not run together. Be sure to write your name on each sheet as well.

Sheri Gruver Wk4As1

Part 1
Study the following three acrylics paintings. Using your acrylics, try the techniques mentioned in the lectures and in these three paintings. Try at least four of the techniques shown in your textbook or from other sources. Use the “Teapot, Teacup” sketches from week 1 as a starting points for all four. Provide a verbal description of the techniques used.

Once these images are scanned place them in one document (DOC or PDF will be fine). Write your name on each sheet, and submit four sheets of your most interesting work to the Discussion Area. Submit your work as early as possible to the Discussion Area.

original teacup composition concepts

COLORED

Part 2

3) Did you discover any additional techniques not shown in the lesson or text? Tell us about them.

A technique I like to use is to try to be as loose as possible. Just trust your hand to make the correct choices in colors and placement of the paint. Just let your brain relax and focus on shadow, mid tones, and highlights. Take a step back every once in a while and look at your painting from a distance.

4) If there is a concept of using acrylic, how can it be improved?

A concept of acrylic is the fact that the paint dries so fast. The best thing of this is to use it to your advantage. Think of your painting in layers: background and foreground. Do your background first, and then apply your layers. Do a final sweep with final details and highlights. It’s also fun to layer splashes of acrylic wash too!

Part 3

Choose one painting and discuss the COLOR composition. In other words, does the color balance guide us through the image or does it keep our eye from going into certain areas? Be specific.

Description: Tutti-Fruitti by Helen Frankenthaler, acrylic on canvas, 1966.

I decided to discuss this painting because it encompasses the reason I love acrylic paint. It allows the artist complete freedom with being messy (easy soap cleanup) and a quick drying time. In this painting the artist used an acrylic wash in varying warm colors. These warm colors are then broken up with cool blue and negative white spaces. The eye is automatically drawn from the warm and comforting colors to rest on the more troubled blue in the top left of the painting. The eyes are then stuck at this spot. Even after looking at the painting again after a few minute, the viewer is automatically drawn to the bright blue area

I haven’t been able to do an update lately because work has been kicking my butt!  I’m really looking forward to the overtime paycheck though.  Here’s any art or assignments I’ve missed in the last week or so:

Week 3

Experiment with watercolors.  Again, using the teapot compositions.

Concepts:

Create concepts to create a poster focusing on the beach or a bath.  Will be using watercolor and superimpose copy.