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Advance Studio Art Lessons

Submitted by: Nicole Brisco, Pleasant Grove High School
UNIT: Advance Studio Art – 2-D and 3-D

Grade Level: High School (lessons are adaptable to all high school)

 

Mixed Media Collage | Community Collage | Rauschenberg Mixed Media | Alice Neal Figure | Intimate Portrait | Reflective Portrait – Identity | Game of Life

Nicole Brisco teaches art at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas. "Art for me is more than a subject, more than an ideology, or a picture in a book. It is truly a life journey." Read Nicole's Philosophy of Art Education.

E-mail Nicole Brisco if you have questions.

 

Objective:

Students will use figure drawings and their study of the artist Alice Neel to create a finished work using mixed media and text. After researching the life and works of Alice Neel, students will realize that there is a strong connection between the artist and its subject. Students will aim to emulate this connection within their own finished figurative works. Light discussion will be encouraged so that the student and model can begin to understand each other. Students should also use their knowledge on composition to create a strong design.

Alice Neel - Figure Drawing

figure drawing      figure drawing      figure drawing

 

Below are some ideas that you might follow to give your work originality.

  • Textural design

  • Depth

  • Cardboard

  • Text

  • Color

  • Use of other Artist as inspiration (Alice Neel)

  • Mixed Media

  • Text

The focus of your finished work should be a definite connection between your art and the viewer. At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due:

  • 1 drawing that shows strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must be a strong light source.

  • 1 drawing that shows a strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must me a controlled and mature sense of color.

  • 1 drawing that shows a strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must be a confident contour line with strong weighted line.

  • 1 drawing that shows a strong sense of composition and drawing technique. Included must be a challenge with media.

Each piece will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before they are due. Additional small drawings will be assigned, but it is your responsibility to finish each drawing and allow yourself time to complete each individual assignment.

 

Graded: Composition (use of space), technique, originality, drawing

Size: No larger than 34X36 (91 x 91 cm). No smaller than 16X20 (40.6 x 50.8 cm)

 

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Process Diary including:

  • Alice Neel Research

  • Thumbnails

  • Color Theory

  • Practice Drawing

  • Alice Neel Images

  • Additional pertinent information or drawings

  • Art Criticism over two works by Neel.

  • Daily Journaling.

  • Short presentation of work and research

Resources

Books

Alice Neel. - Alice Neel (1900-1984) talks about her life, her ideas on art, and the world at large in this book. She painted well-known figures in art, literature, music, politics as well as her family and friends - depicting them clothed and sometimes naked, thus exposing their vulnerability. Never compromising, she kept to one goal: to paint people as she saw them.

 

Alice Neel. - With 224 illustrations, 86 in color, and essays by curators from various museum venues, this is the most comprehensive and up-to-date view of her work.

 

Alice Neel: Painted Truths. - This book brings together paintings that demonstrate Neel's range and ability, along with insightful commentary from four leading art historians. Although the book focuses on her portraits, it also covers the artist's early social realist paintings and cityscapes, tracing the evolution of Neel's style and examining themes that she revisited throughout her career.

 

Mixed Media/Layers - Ordinary to Extraordinary Collage

sample

 

Objective:

Students will select an object of interest using symbolism. Students will then create multiple original drawings to incorporate into their mixed media work. Students will research narrative/symbolic works and mixed media works. Students are to draw from life in their work and use the compositional skills they have learned.

 

Below is a list of objectives that must be apparent in your finished work: See student art

  • Minimum of 5 layers

  • Size between 18X24 (46 x 61 cm) to 24X36 (61 x 91 cm)

  • One object/Drawing from Life - Symbolic

  • Strong composition and Visual Movement

  • Unified colors and theme

Below is a list of starters:

  • LOOK ON-LINE FOR MIXED MEDIA ARTISTS

  • TRY LAYERING TECHNIQUES IN YOUR PROCESS DIARY

  • GATHER UNUSUAL SURFACES AND MATERIALS

  • SKETCHING OF OBJECT

  • THUMBNAIL

  • BRAINSTORM

Graded:

Composition (use of space), technique, originality, expression of drawing, layers, use of media, craftsmanship, and aesthetics.

 

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Process Diary including:

  • Research

  • Thumbnails

  • Color Theory

  • Practice Drawing

  • Mixed Media Images

  • Additional pertinent information or drawings

  • Art Criticism over work.

  • Daily Journaling.

See additional image for this lesson.

 

Symbolic Community Collage

mixed mediaObjective:

Utilizing the theme of "community", students will select an object that represents this to them. Students will take this object and create a mixed media work that demonstrates the following: design, color, creative use of media, purposeful thinking.

 

Project:

  • Brainstorm and select an object. Example: Pomegranate.

  • Create 2 thumbnails that have the following present: a minimum of 20 images from your object, linear/compartmental design, media, and colors

  • 24X36 (61 x 91 cm) surface.

Think about the following:

  • Cutting out

  • Adding layers

  • Building colors

  • Ways to approach on subject

  • Unifying objects

  • Beginning surface, i.e. wood, metal, layered paper

  • Uniqueness of object

Graded on:

  • CRAFTSMANSHIP

  • DESIGN

  • COLORS

  • UNIQUENESS

  • OVERALL APPEAL


Robert Rauschenberg - Mixed Media Assemblage

Objective:

Students will research and study the life of Robert Rauschenberg. Student will create a mixed media assemblage using found materials to create a sculptural interpretation of an action or theme. The overall goal to create a strong conceptual representation of their theme while retaining the integrity of the works craftsmanship and three dimensionality. Student should use their knowledge on the element and principles of design to create a strong three-dimensional design. Below are some materials that could be a starting point:

  • Boxes

  • Salvaged Metal

  • Ready Mades

  • Salvaged Wood

  • Small Trinkets

  • String, Twine, Twisteez Wire.

Your finished work should be influenced but not limited to the work of Robert Rauschenberg. At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.

  • One completed assemblage not to exceed in size any direction by 36 inches (91 cm). This assemblage should be reflective of your original thumbnail sketch.

This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.

 

Graded: Overall Design, Use of a Three-Dimensional Space, Originality, Craftsmanship.

Size: No larger than 36"X36" (91 x 91 cm). No smaller than 12"X12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm)

 

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Process Diary including:

  • Robert Rauschenberg Research

  • Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes

  • Construction ideas

  • Robert Rauschenberg Images

  • Image of Assemblage by other artists

  • Additional pertinent information or drawings.

  • Art Criticism over two works by Rauschenberg.

  • Daily Journaling

  • Short presentation of work and research

  • Self Assessment

Rauschenberg Prints


Intimate Portraits - "A Look at Human Behavior"

sampleObjective:

They say that humans spend 95% of their lives in uneventful moments, but we as humans usually document the only the most eventful moments such as, birthdays, graduations, births, and special occasions. As artist, we have the opportunity to make these ordinary moments extraordinary. Looking at human nature can be very interesting if you choose to look closely. Students will create a figurative work based on a simplistic time in a friend or family member’s life. The overall goal is to connect the viewer with the person represented in the work See student art.

At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.

  • One completed intimate portrait of a friend or family member. This work should represent the person in a personal way. Students should create a unique source of light or innovative color use.

This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.

 

Graded On: Overall Design/Composition, Originality, Craftsmanship, Drawing/Expressive Line, Intimate or Connection to Viewer.

Size: No larger than 4’X5’ (122 x 152 cm), no smaller than 18X24 (46 x 61 cm)

 

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Process Diary including:

  • Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes

  • Additional pertinent information or drawings

  • Color Study

  • Practice drawings from life and original photographs

  • Art Criticism over finished work.

  • Daily Journaling

  • Short presentation of work

  • Self Assessment


"A Study of Perception" - Reflective Identity

sampleObjective:

Students will create a self-portrait and incorporate the idea of "reflective identity" or how others perceive them. Students will research the theme of identity in artist work and how the artist subtle acknowledgments of identity are represented. The idea of "Reflective" is open to interpretation. See student art

At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.

  • One completed ¾ to full body self-portrait. This work should represent you how others might perceive you in a creative and original way.

This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.

 

Graded On: Overall Design/Composition, Originality of Reflective Identity, Craftsmanship, Drawing/Expressive Line, and Communication Factor.

Size: No larger than 4’X5’ (122 x 152 cm), no smaller than 24"X36" (61 x 91 cm)

 

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Process Diary including:

  • Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes

  • Additional pertinent information or drawings

  • Color Study

  • Self Portrait practice drawings

  • Art Criticism over finished work.

  • Daily Journaling

  • Short presentation of work

  • Self Assessment


The Game of Life - "A Comparison of the Two"

game sampleObjective:

Students will create a finished product based on a memorable childhood game. Students will research the game and how its rules apply to the "Game of Life". Student products will represent their knowledge of drawing, color, and design, as well as, their ability to visually communicate their topic of choice. See student art

Your finished work should be influenced but not limited to your inspiration artist. At the end of the six weeks you will have the following due.

  • One completed painting/drawing/collage not to exceed in size any direction by 36 inches (91 cm). This work should be reflective of your original thumbnail sketch.

This work will be worth 100 points. If you have any questions please let me know before it is due. It is your responsibility to pace and use your time well.

 

Graded On: Overall Design/Composition, Originality, Craftsmanship, Drawing/Expressive Line, and Communication Factor, and Life Connection.

Size: No larger than 36"X36" (91 x 91 cm). No smaller than 12"X12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm)

 

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Process Diary including:

  • Artist Inspiration

  • Three original thumbnail sketches including sizes

  • Additional pertinent information or drawings

  • Color Study

  • Art Criticism over finished work.

  • Daily Journaling

  • Short presentation of work and research

  • Self Assessment

See additional images for this lesson.






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