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Hot off the press

Submitted by: Nicole Brisco, Pleasant Grove High School
UNIT: Drawing - Mixed Media
Grade Level: High School - Advanced

Advanced Drawing

The newspaper has been one of the world’s most popular sources of information. Over the past couple of decades its popularity has declined due to the onset on the Internet and overall lack on interest in worldly events and stories. The newspaper is a wonderful part of our past history and the future stories the human race holds. The idea of reading the morning paper with a hot cup of coffee is historical and holds many warm memories for the children who watched their parents each and every day with this daily ritual. When you read the paper what kind of stories interests you the most: human interest, politics, social issues, arts and culture, etc?

See this lesson fleshed out a little on this page!

Objective: Students will create a work of art based on an article from the newspaper. Students will incorporate the actual newspaper into the artwork in an innovative way. Students should use their knowledge on composition, media exploration, and color to create a narrative work that is evocative to the viewer. The overall goal is to have a visual representation to your reaction of the article, not just the facts.

Directions

Begin by selecting a newspaper to read. Read through each section and mark articles of interest.

Limit to five articles.

Create a brainstorming list. Below each article list 10 concrete and abstract concepts that come to you after reading each article.

Narrow down the most visual ideas to two and create two thumbnails for each. Remember to think outside the box. Think like an artist who is reacting to the article not one who is just stating the fact.

Review thumbnail, color, and media choices with the instructor and begin.

Brief Biography - Johannes Gutenberg

Johannes Gutenberg was a German goldsmith and inventor best known for the Gutenberg press, an innovative printing machine that used movable type. Gutenberg was born between 1394 and 1400 and died in 1468. In 1438, Gutenberg began a business arrangement with Andreas Dritzehn, who funded his experiments in printing. In 1450, Gutenberg began a second arrangement with German businessman Johannes Fust. Fust lent Gutenberg the money to start a printing business and build a large Gutenberg Press, their printing projects included the now famous Gutenberg Bible. On September 30, 1452, Johann Guttenberg's Bible was published becoming the first book to be published in volume.