Remember that drawing pieces focus on mark-making and technical execution.
1. Pinterest Remix
Pull something from your Pinterest boards that interests you. What is it about the work that you like? Identify the elements that you want to keep (the artist’s use of color or pattern, the subject matter, the composition, the materials used, etc.) and identify how you will “remix” the piece. How will you make it new and entirely yours? Review the rules on originality and plagiarism. The original piece should not be visible in your finished work.
2. Reflective Surfaces
Using a crumpled sheet of brown paper (a paper bag or a piece of packing paper) you will design a composition using highly reflective objects that explores the use of space. (How do artists create the illusion of depth? Use overlapping, diminishing perspective, foreshortening, etc.) Arrange the objects that you collect or select to support this exploration. You will use India ink washes to prepare the surface. Draw your composition using a grey scale of materials (charcoal, graphite or sepia Conte crayon, and white charcoal)
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
3. Foreshortened Self-Portrait
Using your phone or camera take a selfie with an extreme perspective. (forced perspective/ foreshortening) create a composition of your self-portrait that has an obvious focal point/ emphasis. You will use a scratchboard and pen to draw your composition. Use the black and white contrast as a tool in your composition. Decide if you want to completely eliminate the black to create stark contrast or use hatching/ cross-hatching/stippling to create a value scale.
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
4. Mystical Scale/Proportion
Create a narrative composition (telling a story with characters/ setting/ conflict) with a mystical theme that uses irrational scale or proportions. Choose a color scheme that establishes the mood of your narrative. You may want to emulate another artist’s style (children’s book illustrations, pre-Raphaelite painters, art deco posters, etc.)
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
5. Forced Connection
Each student will supply two nouns and two verbs to a “pot.” You will pull two of each and “force a connection” between the words. Create several thumbnail sketches of your connections. Use a non-objective approach to your representation. Go for the abstract image that evolves from your two words. You will use charcoal to draw and add high contrast and values to your composition. Over this you will layer mod-podge and paint with oils. Work on establishing a focal point and choosing colors that support the mood of your piece. Keep layering and adding until you are satisfied.
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
6. Neverdull Collage
Choose a subject for a collage that will focus on the use of color and text. Pull pictures from magazines to create a full page collage in a color that supports your theme. Using black glue you will draw a contour of your design. Neverdull wadding polish will be used to strip the color from the negative spaces of your composition. You will add text using another layer of collaged magazine text. Addition stripping, gluing, and watercolor washes can be used to push back the negative spaces and pull the positive spaces to the foreground.
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
7. Rodeo
You will design a composition for a narrative artwork using the HLSR themes. When you have chosen your subject matter (selected an approved photo) You will choose a media and create an entry for this required contest. Focus on the narrative quality of your subject and your use of the art medium.
EXAMPLE
8. Collection Drawing
On a single piece of heavy weight paper, using a variety of drawing media, you will create AT LEAST 9 drawings of a single object or type of object. You may choose an inanimate object or a living thing, but you MUST DRAW FROM LIFE. (So no drawings of fantasy/imaginary things) Your focus should be rendering accurately and showing your skills with a variety of drawing media. (ink, graphite, charcoal, paint, etc.) Consider overlapping your drawings, and use a variety of line thickness to create interest. Preparing your paper with washes or pastel grounds will make your composition more interesting to look at.
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
9. Layered Collage
Choose a theme for your drawing, a central motif/ character/ story line. Create an ink drawing of your character or motif on watercolor paper. Create additional layers on a variety of papers using a variety of materials. Each layer should be a unique pattern set. Cut out all negative spaces from each layer and position them to show the depth of the layered collage. Consider focal points and where you want the viewer to focus. Vary your mark making techniques to add variety.
Example 1 Example 2