Illustration Students!!!

People always ask me, "Do you have really talented students at LHS?"  The answer is a resounding "YES!"  Check out some of the work that is currently being generated in my classes?  It is so good, that it kind of scares me.  Are these kids human?  Maybe they are secret artist robots?  I am so impressed.

Sam Williams

Jimmy Xia

Jimmy Xia

Ji in Jeong

Nila Arumugam

Chloe Alcock

C.J. Curran

Dan Kilbridge

Charlotte Cohn

Anna Rodman

Harry Ames

Jamie Kishimoto

SEMESTER 2!!

Thank you for checking out my teaching blog.  I plan to update this site every couple of weeks so that  students and parents can keep track of each course and it's progression.

Foundations of Art:
Students need to bring a 9"x12" sketchbook to class so that they may complete drawing exercises.
Students are midway through finishing the Cut Paper Project.  The objective of this assignment is to create symmetry in their design using positive and negative shapes.  Students should focus on having good craftsmanship.

Illustration
Students need to bring a small sketchbook to class so that they may do research and work-out ideas for projects.  Students are required to turn in their folded paper projects this week.  (A-block was due on Monday and H-block is due on Tuesday.)  The focus for the next two weeks will be on composition, and the illusion of depth on a two dimensional space.  Students will be required to take notes on the class lectures.

Painting 2
Students need to bring a small sketchbook to class so that they may do research and work-out ideas for projects.  The first section of the class is "Painting Boot Camp."  Students were asked to complete 2 out of three challenging painting assignments.
1.) Painting From Observation
2.) Painting Using Pattern and Rhythm
3.) Painting Using Texture
All of the paintings require completing a preparatory drawing and color sample before carrying forth the final piece.  Students must exhibit an aware of color harmony and compositional balance.
(A homework assignment will be assigned requiring the students to choose an artist who exemplifies the painting style of the assignment option that the student did not select.)

PAINTING 1: Quarter 2 Homework

Assignment: BEGIN A CONVERSATION ABOUT PAINTING

  

Objective: 

Think critically about the artistic process.

Reflect upon subjective opinions verses objective observations.

Gain a better understanding of appreciating art.

Directions:

Choose a piece of artwork for you and at least one other person to have a conversation about.

1   Gaze at the image for a minute in silence. 

      Record all responses to the artwork and submit these notes to Ms. Bean.  (This could be jotted down on a piece of paper or it could be printed out from a computer if you would prefer to converse on-line.)  STAPLE RESPONSES TO THIS PAPER AND TURN IN FOR WEDNESDAY 1/11/12.

     

      Glance over the artwork.  With a quick once-over, is there anything you notice that stands out?  If something jumps out at you that is probably important to the artist’s message. In contrast, the exact opposite can be telling: is there little or nothing that stands out?

      Think about different elements of art.  Select one at a time and go through as many of them as you like. Elements include: Line, Texture, Color, Shape (square is an example), Form (box is an example), Space, and Value (shading).  Start with color and ask yourself, for example, is the blue in the artwork moody or bright and happy?  

     Connect artistic choices to meaning.  What is the context of this painting?  Do you think it is personal?  Political?  Historical?  Emotional?  Experimental?

Talk about what elements in the painting that have connotations that you can connect to?

Last step (optional): Pass judgment.  Knowing a bit more about the artist’s toolkit, do you feel s/he was effective in conveying a message or idea?  Why or why not?
 

Deconstructed Spongebob Project Results

Alicebob

Amandabob

Anniebob

Brendanbob

Bronwenbob

Charlottebob

Davidbob

Elizabethbob

Jackiebob

Justinbob

Krishnabob

Kristenbob

Lisabob

Margobob

Raybob

Tobybob

Cubism and Spongebob

Braque and Picasso were friends who both agreed that Paul Cézanne had some interesting ideas.  They took those ideas and start their own type of painting which became known as Cubism.  Who was a nicer guy?  Braque or Picasso?  

SpongeBob Squarepants was created by Stephen Hillenburg who was first a marine biologist and then decided to switch careers and become an animator.  

ASSIGNMENT: DECONSTRUCTING SPONGEBOB             

UNDERSTANDING CUBISM

MATERIALS:  Tracing paper, drawing paper for sketching ideas, watercolor paper for final piece, pencil, eraser, and pen  (Painting classes may paint their ideas.)

OBJECTIVE:

After discussing Cubism in class, demonstrate an understanding of the concept  by creating an abstract composition from repeated parts of Spongebob SquarePants as well as any other imagery that will help unify the composition.  

HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Doodle on some scrap paper possible patterns that may make an interesting composition.  Use your tracing paper to bring in the "spongebob elements" that you plan to integrate.  Be aware of negative space and using repetition to lead the viewers eye all around your page.

PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION USING DESIGN PRINCIPLES:

Balance

Balance is the concept of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance. It is a reconciliation of opposing forces in a composition that results in visual stability. Most successful compositions achieve balance in one of two ways: symmetrically or asymmetrically. 

Variety

Variety (also known as alternation) is the quality or state of having different forms or types. The differences that give a design visual and conceptual interest: notably use of contrast, emphasis, difference in size and color.

Contrast

Contrast is to provide an artwork with something interesting to break the repetitions. It creates interest by manipulating the difference between objects.

Proportion

Proportion is a measurement of the size and quantity of elements within a composition.

In ancient arts, proportions of forms were enlarged to show importance. This is why Egyptian gods and political figures appear so much larger than common people. The ancient Greeks found fame with their accurately proportioned sculptures of the human form. Beginning with the Renaissance, artists recognized the connection between proportion and the illusion of 3-dimensional space.

Rhythm/ Repetition

Rhythm (also known as repetition) is showing consistency with colors or lines.  Pattern can be used to create visual rhythm.

Putting a red spiral at the bottom left and top right, for example, will cause the eye to move from one spiral, to the other, and everything in between. It is indicating movement by the repetition of elements. Rhythm can make an artwork seem active.

WHEN YOU HAVE A GOOD CONCEPT BEGIN USING YOUR TRACING PAPER WITH THE WATERCOLOR PAPER.

FIRST DRAW LIGHTLY WITH PENCIL THEN GO OVER YOUR FINAL DESIGN WITH PEN WHEN YOU ARE READY.

GET INSPIRED BY SOME CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS WHO USE ABSTRACTION AND CARTOON IMAGERY IN THEIR WORK:

“I view my paintings as monsters; messy, captivating, silly, but irrevocably prodigious creations unconcerned with being anything in particular.”

-Artist Sean Foley 2008

German-based artist Markus Hofko (A.K.A. Rainbowmonkey) breaks down Disney characters to their fundamental building blocks.

Foundations of Art Syllabus

FOUNDATIONS OF ART

CARA BEAN, Room 210

Email: cbean@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us

Course Description

Students in this course will learn the fundamental principles of creating 2-D visual arts. The course teaches basic drawing and design principles, which are used throughout all LHS visual art classes. Students will begin the year with assignments that focus on completing specified objectives and are later given projects that allow for greater creative freedom. For all assignments, students will be expected to put forth their best effort and to hone their creative skills.

Course Objectives

• To gain a basic understanding of 2-D art concepts and practices
• To develop a vocabulary of visual art terminology
• To learn the basic design elements and principles related to making quality artwork
• To acquire and hone basic visual arts technical skills
• To learn how to effectively evaluate one’s own work, as well as to intelligently critique the work done by others

Section 1 Concepts : Symmetry/ Asymmetry, Negative Shape, Composition, Craftsmanship, Critique


Section 2 Concepts: Drawing Skills, Illusion of Space and Perspective, Gesture and Contour, Still Life Composition, Observation and Proportion, Shading

Section 3 Concepts: Color Theory, Complements and Neutrals, Warms and Cool Tones, Tint and Shade


Section 4 Concepts: Technology / Adobe Photoshop, Personal Expression, Using the Grid

Supplies:

Students are required to have a sketchbook, which they will use to complete their bi-monthly sketchbook assignments. The sketchbooks should be spiral bound and approximately 9”X12”. One set of drawing pencils and an eraser will be given to each student. Students who lose these materials will have to buy their own.

BASIS OF TERM GRADES

There will be a number of projects assigned throughout the semester.

Each project will be graded with a rubric and basic grading criteria will include:

1. Effort

2. Attempt to utilize new knowledge

3. Willingness to re-work/modify/improve piece

4. Product craftsmanship/attention to detail

5. Overall success of the finished product.

In-class projects will be worth 70% of your semester grade.

Students will also be assigned eight sketchbook assignments for homework during the semester. Sketchbook assignments should each take approximately one hour to complete and are worth 30% of your semester grade. Students will also have the opportunity earn extra credit points by completing additional assignments.

At the end of the semester, students will be given a final exam. The final will be worth 10% of your semester (final) grade.

MS. BEAN’S CLASSROOM RULES!!

1.)  No disrespect to teacher or fellow students.  Use appropriate language.  Be nice.

2.)  Clean up after yourself and alert the teacher if there is a spill or equipment malfunction.   Be honest.

3.)  Do not eat food in the art classroom.  Keep food away from art supplies and materials. Water is OK, but RECYCLE empty bottles. 

Do not put containers that still have liquid in the recycling bin.  (Gross!)

4.)  Technological distractions are not allowed and will be confiscated. 

5.)  Alert the teacher if you need to leave the room during class.  (Bathroom breaks, etc.)

Make eye contact with the teacher when you notify her that you are leaving.

6.)  Here is an attendance scenario.  You are more than two minutes late and you…

A.)        Have a pass and hand it to the teacher (good job)

B.)       Quietly enter the room with no pass and then sign the LATE BOOK.  (The late book is a record that you are not absent and will save you from getting a detention for skipping class.)

C.)       Realize it is the second time you are late to class.  YOU GET A DETENTION WITH THE TEACHER!  Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7.)  Refrain from lining up at the door at the end of class.

PAINTING 1 SYLLABUS

PAINTING 1

Cara Bean, Room 210

Lexington High School

What materials will we use in this class?

We will be using watercolor and acrylic paint

You will be given a set of brushes that you must maintain for the entirety of the semester.  You will also have access to canvas, paper, an easel, and a painting board.  You are expected to treat all classroom materials with respect. 

Sketchbooks:

In your sketchbook you will sketch ideas for projects as well as collect text and imagery that is meaningful to you.  Your sketchbook should illustrate an ongoing sense of exploration.  Project ideas will begin flowing into your head more easily the more you continue working in your sketchbook.

What painting concepts will be covered in class?

Color Theory and Color Relationships

You will learn how to mix colors and understand how color relates to space.

Painting Techniques

You will learn different manner of paint application, blending, impasto, glazing and scumbling, wet into wet, and stippling (to name just a few.)

Compositional Skills

You will create images with interest and tension as well as pleasing relationships of color, scale, texture, value and line.

Rendering / Observation

You will learn how to minutely observe surface detail and color and light to "paint what you see."

Art History

You will research and learn about master artists. 

How do I achieve in this class?

Come to class ON TIME and ready to work every day.  Never skip class.

Put forth your greatest effort every day. 

Tell the teacher if you are having a hard time focusing on doing your best work.

Take care of your assignments and materials.  Make sure that assignments are clean and presentable for evaluation.  Turn your assignments in on time.  A thoughtfully completed reflection sheet should accompany each of your assignments.

MS. BEAN’S CLASSROOM RULES!!

1.)  No disrespect to teacher or fellow students.  Use appropriate language.  Be nice.

2.)  Clean up after yourself and alert the teacher if there is a spill or equipment malfunction.  Be honest.

3.)  Don’t eat food in the art classroom.  Keep food away from art supplies and materials.

Water is OK, but RECYCLE empty bottles. 

Do not put containers that still have liquid in the recycling bin.  (Gross!)

4.)  Technological distractions are not allowed and will be confiscated. 

5.)  Alert the teacher if you need to leave the room during class.  (Bathroom breaks, etc.)

Make eye contact with the teacher when you notify her that you are leaving.

6.)  Here is an attendance scenario.  You are more than two minutes late and you…

A.)   Have a pass and hand it to the teacher (good job)

B.)  Quietly enter the room with no pass and then sign the LATE BOOK.  (The late book is a record that you are not absent and will save you from getting a detention for skipping class.)

C.)  Realize it is the second time you are late to class.  YOU GET A DETENTION WITH THE TEACHER!  Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!