FINAL PROJECT: The Jungle

All this week students will be working on their final projects, "The Jungle." The objective is to create an image of shallow depth with attention to texture and the categories of light. Here are some examples from previous semesters for reference.

FINAL PROJECT: The Jungle

Here are some highlights of the final projects from Spring 2016. A major difference from previous semesters is the employment of mixed mediums. All previous classes used charcoal materials only.

Shiho Nakagawa

Crysta Maguire

Elijah Schwarz

Graham Metcalfe

Gretta Collaso

Joy Montague

Jesus Cornejo

FINAL PROJECT: The Jungle

Ashley Garr

Bret Hardesty

Drew Horton

Three examples of the final project from fall 2015. Each example exhibits originality and a strong degree of craft as well as addressing light, form and texture within a balanced composition.

FINAL PROJECT: The Jungle

Last night the class continued working on their final projects. The example of above (from a previous semester) skillfully illustrates the various textures as well as value patterns throughout an extremely well designed and balanced composition. The strength in this design lies within the placement and repetition of similar shapes in criss-crossing and diagonal paths. In addition, the mood and lighting is very complementary to the subject matter.

FINAL PROJECT: The Jungle

Last night the class began work on their final projects. The objective is to create a shallow space composition addressing the textures and values of their individual still life arrangements. The example above is from a previous semester.

THURS. 3/29 "The Jungle"

Frank Vallin

Students finished up working on their Light and Dark Rhythms drawings a.k.a. "The Jungle". Frank's drawing above beautifully illustrates the wide range of textures inherent to the objects inhabiting his still life. Furthermore, this drawing exhibits a very strong rhythm starting with the repeating and overlapping curls found in the placement of the claw forms. This is followed by the repetition and triangulation of the artichoke flowers. And lastly, the placement of the antlers. The textures are enhance by a full and rich range of values. Of particular note is Frank's use of cast shadows to create depth. In addition, the continuity and similarity of the objects adds a very strong "sense of place", something one might find on the outside wall of a cabin in the woods.

WED. 3/28 The Jungle continued

Aaron Buchanan Art 7B (drawing in progress)

Students continued working on their drawings started Monday evening. Aaron's drawing above is following the path of contour with tonal accents. Notice how the "eye" is lead around by the tonal passages as well as the forms primarily the bamboo roots.

TUES. 3/27 SIMULATED TEXTURE: The Jungle

Amy Eldgridge: drawing in progress

T/Th class started texture drawings, "The Jungle". See previous post for more description. Amy's drawing above has established a criss-crossing movement of repeating forms propelled by the arcing antlers on the left of the composition.

MON. 3/26 SIMULATED TEXTURE: The Jungle

Patrick Maxwell: drawing in progress

Students began drawings addressing light and dark value rhythms and simulated textures. Light and dark rhythms create directional movement through a composition by employing similar values and textures. Simulated textures are an artisit's interpretation of actual textures. Patrick's drawing above has yet to address the values though even at this stage a rhythm has been establish by repeating similar forms and textures. Notice how your eye wanders through the composition following a path the the sunflowers.

TUES. 11/1 TEXTURE: "The Jungle"

Bikesh Maharjan: drawing in progress

Students began work on "The Jungle" project: value and texture drawings in charcoal.  The process is one that is more organic and intuitive compared to previous projects.  Rather than setting up a still life, students select objects and use them as reference for creating their compositions. The method is to start with a dominant form and then place supporting forms repeated around the composition.  Rhythm and Movement is established through repetition and similarity of values, textures and forms.

Last Weeks "Jungle" Series

Here is very exciting drawing for Alissa Griffin. Notice how she has used the eraser around the circular forms creating an animated and radiating effect much like Van Gogh's technique with his brushstrokes.  This drawing exhibits a nocturnal light quality.

Mariah Cortez Harvey's drawing is a densely packed space of variously textured and shaped objects. She has created a subtle criss-cross composition by jamming the upper left and lower right corners with objects and using white areas in the upper right and lower left.  In addition, she has placed unexpected elements throughout the composition. Look for the eyes.

Michelle Phillips (Art 7B) has created a very dynamic and rhythmical composition.  Her placement of the checkered corner moves the "eye" in a triangular fashion around the space while the diagonally positioned forms creates a path of shoots and ladders.

10/27 "The Jungle" continued

The class continued to work on the "Jungle" drawings from Monday evening.  Adam Bollman's drawing above illustrates the limited sense of depth and textural qualities typical of this project. The large, sweeping bone structure divides the composition into multiple sections that are then filled with differing textures and patterns as well as the solid black tones. In addition, the sun flowers help to emphasize the a sense of "flatness" by directing the viewer's attention back to the surface of the paper.

HOMEWORK #7: The Jungle

The assignment is a repeat of the class project.  Create a "continuous" composition with objects cropped and engaged with edges of the paper.  Choose a dominant shape that is supported by smaller "groupings" and clusters of objects.  Consider the directional pull of the composition and address the textural as well as tonal aspects of your design.  This composition may be derived from a cropped section of the in-class drawing. Use 18 x 24 in. paper with charcoal materials and erasers.

10/25 "The Jungle"

Monday students began the "Jungle" project.  This projects involves creating a continuous composition in that the image touches all sides of the paper.  The primary objective is to develop an image with strong light and dark rhythms while addressing the textural qualities of the subjects. The student drawing above is a perfect example of the project.  The placement of the feather and thistles thrusts the "eye" in a circular motion around the composition while the repetition of forms pushes the "viewer's attention diagonally across the composition as well as from foreground to background.  Furthermore the textural and tonal qualities of the drawing are rich and bold.

Homework #6 "The Jungle"

Both classes have now completed the "jungle" drawings.  The homework is to repeat the project following the same rules. 

1. Make a continuous composition; touch all edges and have very little empty negative space.
2. Start with a large shape that fills all or half the composition.
3. Add smaller groupings and clusters, overlapping forms and changing scale.
4. Address values paying attention to value patterns and establishing a rhythm and movement with light and dark passages.

The drawings posted on Mar. 30 and Mar. 24 are all excellent examples of the assignment.  As stated in class, you may make a drawing with your own still life materials or make a new composition by cropping from the in-class drawing.

3/30 Jungle Project Finish

Tuesday's class completed the "jungle" drawings.  Jonathan Florence's drawing is another great example of the assignment.  The composition is full and continuous touching all edges of the paper.  The value range is wide and varied.  Furthermore, the value patterns are well established.  The movement between the black shapes on the left side of the composition complement the black shape within the eye of the skull.  Notice too that the shapes are larger at the bottom of the composition and get smaller as they move towards the top.

Ashley Duncan's drawing is rich with patterns and textures.  The contrasting textures of the feathers, coral (background) and the kelp, driftwood and shells are all complementary to the "beach comber" theme.  The value range is generally more limited focusing on the high key values (1-5) suggesting a more cheerful tone.  Additionally, the diagonal and twisting forms create a very fluid and lively composition.

3/24 Jungle Project Cont.

Here are three drawings from Wednesday night.  This drawing by Megan Muller uses "positive/ negative" relationships very successfully in the background leaves.  The dark silhouettes add depth to the space while establishing a strong contrasting value for the objects in the foreground. Furthermore, the balance achieved by the asymmetrical placement of the sunflowers and their scale change establishes a strong focal point while complementing the depth established by the background forms.

This texturally rich drawing by John Teran is more symmetrical with its placement of the forms.  The establishment of foreground, middle ground and background is achieved by changing scale while using forms with contrasting textures. The mingling of the grass with the skull  joins foreground and middle ground pulling the "eye" into the composition. 

This stunning drawing by Justin Edwards makes great use of "design principles".  The centrally located skull holds the composition together while the triangulation of the abalone shells establishes dynamic angles.  The repetition of the thistles and melon shapes lead the "eye" in a criss-cross movement while the feathers draw the "eye" back in space.