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.