Chinese Brush Painting

Chinese Brush Painting

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Traditional painting involves essentially the same techniques as calligraphy and is done with a brush dipping in black or colored ink; oils are not used. Typical motifs in Chinese brush painting include flowers, birds, animals and landscapes. But even more important than the visual image is the message behind the painting: it expresses the inner spirit of the subject or the feelings of the artist.

 

 

In this project we were able to practice and execute three of the various strokes used when creating these works of art.

We were given kits with different brushes made with goat hair and a ink grinding rock & stick.

It was so much fun making our own ink,

I felt like the real deal...

until I went home & my roommate from China showed me how it really done.

 

Through this project I learned

different painting techniques that the Chinese have mastered and a little taste of the Chinese culture.

I learned that the strokes may seem simple but they take a while to get the hang of.

I also learned patience.

 

I did what I did

because I loved the simplicity of the bamboo.

I also like the rule of thirds.

it was visually appealing & again I loved the simplicity,

I thought it looked more elegant.

 

This project is a great way for...

> Students to explore the Chinese culture <

> Students experience different painting techniques <

> Students become familiar with different art styles <

 

For an amazing tutorial

click HERE :)

Wired

Alexander Calder

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an American sculptor known as the originator of the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture made with delicately balanced or suspended components which move in response to motor power or air currents. Calder’s stationary sculptures are called stabiles. He also produced numerous wire figures, notably for a miniature circus.

According to Wikipedia
 

For this assignment we were asked to recreate Alexander Calder's Circus as a class using wire.
Each of us had to choose something that reminded us of a circus.
I chose to do a zebra with an afro,
like Marty on Madagascar.

See the resemblance??
It was a mediocre attempt.

Through this project I learned
how to create art with different mediums.
I also learned that wire is not my thing.

I did what I did
because I knew it would be different from the rest of the class.
the first thing I thought of was an elephant...
the class made 5 elephants.
You might say I dodged a bullet.

This project is a great way for...
> Students to work with different mediums <
> Students will work their fine motor skills <
> Students will create 3-Dimentional art <
> Students will learn to simplify <

To see an example of how to make these fun circus images
Travel This Way

Expanding 8

Expanding 8

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For this project we were asked to get into groups.

Each of us were given (x,y) coordinates that we were asked to graph on a piece of projector paper.

Each of us were given different coordinates.

but when they were placed on top of each other they built off of each other.

 my group thought that this concept was interesting so we kept going with it.

at the end of the paper we decided to switch it up and create layers.

we wanted it to stay abstract,

while a lot of the other groups made objects out of the points.

 

Through this project I learned

That while integrating art into other subjects it doesn't need to be boring.

I really enjoyed working with other students on this project.

I feel that if I had to do it on my own it would have been tedious & not as fun.

 

We did what we did

because we all like the idea of abstract art.

& we liked the way it was turning out without all the extra add ins.

simplicity was key.

 

This project is a great way for...

> Students to work in a team <

> Students will understand the mathematical concepts <

> Students will create art using math <

Georgia O'Keeffe Flower

Georgia O'Keeffe

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Artist and painter Georgia O'Keeffe was born on November 15, 1887, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Known for her striking flower paintings and other captivating works.

 

 

For this assignment we were asked to research Georgia O'Keeffe

& create an artwork based on the work she did.

 

We were given a vase of flowers.

made a view finder out of an index card.

& looked at the flower through a different perspective.

 

I was not there when instructions were given

so...

I found a flower outside & painted my favorite part.

the whole thing.

 

Through this project I learned

there are different ways of looking at an everyday object.

some focused on the petals,

some on the stem,

some did what I did & painted the majority of the flower.

the detail in all of them were all incredible.

& it was very interesting to see what part of the flower people tended to focus on.

 

I did what I did

because I liked the whole flower that I chose.

it was unlike all the other flowers in the vase,

that was because it was dying,

hence the off-colored parts of the petals.

it made it unique compared to the others & I really liked it that way.

 

This project is a great way for...

> Students to practice perspective <

> Students to focus on detail <

> Students also work with water color techniques <

 

For some Step-by-Step Instructions

Click Here or Right Here



Color Assignment

Color

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 the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye.

 

 

How these pieces of art came to be was through music.

 

The first one was the painting on the left.

Our professor put on this crazy noise.

I wouldn't even call it music.

it was stressful.

it was sporadic.

it was something else.

 

 we were only allotted to Black and White paint.

which is fine because I felt in the dark.

 

I tried to make the strokes flow together but it just looked like scribbles.

or maybe even whimsical.

 

The second painting on the right.

This one was a little more structured.

Our assignment was to take a basic shape with complementary colors to paint how we felt.

Soothing & Calm music came through the speakers.

I was a little upset that we couldn't venture from the colors and shape.

it made the art seem bland.

Though,

it was still fun to interpret.

 

Through this project I learned

That everyone interprets things incredibly different.

Some of the art work was very fun, structured and you could tell that the music moved them.

Others,

like mine,

you could tell how confused and out of their element they were.

but I learned that everything can be perceived differently,

and with each new perspective beauty is made.

 

I did what I did

because it's what the music made me feel like.

I have been around music my whole life

& I appreciate all of it and can feel something from it.

but in the first song,

I struggled and it obviously shows.

The second was easier but still shows signs of hesitation.

& that is truly how I felt.

 

This project is a great way for...

> Students to express themselves through paint and music <

> Students learn to interpret differently <

> Students identify complimentary colors and use them properly <

Internal Texture

Texture

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For visual art, it is the perceived surface quality of a work of art.

 

BUT.

For this assignment is was the yummy kind.

 

Texture:

the feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or a substance.

& there was definitely food.

 

 

 

This was a really fun assignment for me because of

1: I got to eat.

2: I have never experienced working with water color.

3: It would hopefully be a better outcome on a non-objective piece of artwork than the first one I did.

Ooo.

Exciting.

 

We split a large sheet of paper into 6 shapes.

I did the generic square because I'm super original.

We were then directed to the feast of treats.

This feast will probably go down as my best college meal.

No Lie.

 

As we ate each item on our plate we were asked to paint what we felt.

Non-Objectively.

at first I felt like I belonged in the loony bin...

but I couldn't paint that.

 

after a few moments of truly feeling what I was eating and focusing on the taste

I was able to really enjoy myself.

 

I explored with a lot of different methods of water color use & I got a little carried away.

hence why I can't really remember which square is which food.

whoopsies.

 

Through this project I learned

different techniques of using watercolor.

To think outside the box.

To not take things so literal in art.

relax & let the feelings I have direct me during abstract pieces.

Also

that I really like watercolor.

& I'm not to shabby at it.

 

I did what I did

because I love color & design.

Especially experimenting with it.

It was also fun to look forward to the outcome with the solid boarders & crazy splatters in the spaces.

It was mostly art for art's sake on this project for me.

 

...This project is a great way for...
> Students to work non-objectively <
> Students to experience different senses through art <
> Students will explore water color <

For a Tasty Tutorial
Check This Out

Alien Names

ALIEN

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ex·tra·ter·res·tri·al

 of or from outside the earth or its atmosphere,  hypothetical or fictional being from outer space, especially an intelligent one.

 

 

For this project we were asked to make an alien out of our names. 
By doing this we folded a piece of construction paper in half,
wrote our name on the side of the fold however we wanted.
I chose to do cursive.

Others did block letters,
graffiti,
their own handwriting,
or even in a different language.

we cut around the letters we wrote & when we opened it up
our names looked like little creatures.

As part of this assignment we were asked to create beauty.
What makes this creature beautiful?
What do the surroundings say about beauty?
It was completely set up for unique qualities.


Through this assignment I learned
that there are all sorts of different perspectives about what can be beautiful,
also how to work with different shapes in order to create something that may not seem like something could be made out of it.
It is a good project to see how unique your name can be.
In class we even got to see how different the name "Sarah" could be due to different handwritings & overall interpretation.

I did what I did
because I wanted it to be cute & fun.
Making the aliens innocent looking was a good contrast to the other students in the class.
also,
innocence isn't really seen as beautiful in our culture today.
Scandalous images rule our world.
& that's what people strive to look like.
when in reality they can be simple, cute and effortless.

This project is a great way for...
> Students to create something unique that is a part of their daily lives <
> Explore options <
> Create beauty <

Now...
It's time for a tutorial:)

 Step 1:
Fold an 8"x11" piece of construction paper in half.
it dose not matter which way.
in above picture the paper was folded long ways...
"hot dog" for all you normal people.

 Step 2:
Write your name.

Make sure it is written on the side with the fold.
as shown in the picture.

 Step 3:
Outline your name for a cutting pathway.

 Step 4:
Cut out your name.
WARNING
DO NOT CUT THE CREASE!!

 Your name should look like this once the cutting is done.

 Step 5:
Open up your name cut-out.
Congratulations.
You now have an alien:)

 Step 6:
Design your alien with different features that you see as beautiful.

Once your alien is complete.
Glue it to your poster board.

 Step 7:
Make its environment.
In this case, the alien looked like a sea creature,
so we put him in the ocean.

&
Here it is.
The final product.

Special Thanks to my Sister
for creating such a masterpiece.

Click HERE for another tutorial that is
OUT OF THIS WORLD
see what I did there?? ;)

Rhythm

Rhythm

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a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.

Watch the video for a little taste of rhythm.

 

 

We were prompted to make a visual rhythm.

"Trashin' the Camp" from Tarzan was stuck in my head that day.

Thus.

My masterpiece was created:

 

 

I absolutely loved this project.

It was so fun to make a visual rhythm.

Music has always been a big part of my life & it was challenging to make the music visual.

 

I loved the contrast of the colors with the black background.

it made the rhythm more prominent & it was almost instant gratification.

I liked exploring with the movement of the objects and the structures I could create.

 

Through this project I learned

you can literally make anything into visual art.

if the music moves you why not make it move through objects, paint, or other materials??

We have to learn how to express ourselves

especially through teaching.

If we can do that for our students they can do it for the world.

 

I did what I did

because it felt right.

I didn't have to put any thought into this project.

I just let my mind go & let the materials do the talking.

I focused on the beat of my song...

(The popsicle sticks)

& then added the seemingly random shapes into the empty spaces.

kind of what

"Trashin' the Camp" sounds like to me.

& I love the way it turned out.

Hip Hip Hooray!

 

 ...This Project is a Great Way...

> To explore shapes <

> Create structure <

> Look at sound with a new perspective <

> New approach to pattern <

 

For a Jammin' Tutorial

Check This Out



Weave

Weave

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form (fabric or a fabric item) by interlacing long threads passing in one direction with others at a right angle to them.

 

 

For this project we were asked to create a pattern with texture.

 

I started with a simple color pallet & just went to town

using ribbon, yarn, & other types of material.

It was fun exploring with different mediums

instead of pen to paper,

cutting & gluing,

we were able to create with the actual medium.

 

Through this project I learned that

You can create amazing things with different textures.

I played around a lot with the materials & got many different designs.

it was fun to influence the material to do different things.

it gave it visual texture & also feel.

It was hard to choose the final product but it turned out to my liking.

 

I did what I did

because it was fun.

 I was able to let my character shine through the various ribbons & other materials.

I also used my favorite colors...

which is always a plus.

&

overall I liked this outcome opposed to others that I created.

 

...This project is a great way to...

> Explore different mediums <

> Experiment with textures <

> Find ways to create pattern <

> & it really refines your fine motor skills <

Gesture & Contour Line Drawings

Gesture & Contour Line Drawings

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an artistic technique used in the field of art in which the artist sketches the contour of a subject by drawing lines that result in a drawing that is essentially an outline; the French word contour meaning, “outline.”

 

 

This assignment gave us the opportunity to explore the shapes and basic lines of random but common objects.

It was difficult for me at first due to the fact that I get hung up on detail.

but,

it was fun to figure out the more prominent parts of the objects.

 

For the first drawing as you can see

(hopefully..)

was a stuffed animal

this sketch was quick and I paid little attention to the details of the characteristic & other elements.

 

In the second one however we were asked to draw it will a little more attention to detail but still keep it at a short amount of time.

I drew my 32oz drink from the gas station

 because it was the only thing on the table with me that was by the flowers. 

& I have one almost everyday.

it's a big part of my life.

Just kidding.
I couldn't find my drink...
so,
I drew my stuffed animal with more detail.
so...
Here you go.

 

This one was surprisingly harder.

with the basic strokes done in the first drawing it was easier to find the shape of the animal.

with this one I couldn't get the shape of the animal right & it was frustrating because it didn't turn out how I wanted it to.

But.

It was definitely a learning experience.

 

Through this project I learned

that sometimes in art we need to stop & take a second to rethink the fundamentals.

Ask ourselves:

What is the basic shape of the object?

Is it round or straight?

By weeding out the aspects of the picture you don't  need to focus on in the beginning you narrow it down to the detail.

Sort of like a puzzle...

The majority of people start a puzzle by placing the 4 corner pieces,

continuing the outside edge.

not until that is done does someone start in the middle.

 

Same concept with gesture & contour drawings.

start with the outline & work from there.

 

 

I did what I did

because it was easy & my giraffe is just too cute.

& I feel like flowers are always the cop out.

 because of the simplicity I feel like it helped me better understand the purpose to this exercise.

like stated above:

start with the basic outline then work from there.

 

...This Project is a Great Way...

> for students to explore shape <

> for students to learn about the simple details rather than the complex ones, we as people tend to get hung on <

> for students to gain a better concept of their muscle movements in large strokes <



Australian Aboriginal Art

Australian Aboriginal Art

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Australian Aboriginal art is art made by the Indigenous peoples of Australia.

Shocking actually..

 

 

Fun Fact:

If you say "Good. Eye. Might." you can't help but sound Australian.

The more you know.

We were asked to create our average day through symbols.
mine is split into 3 sections.

 Dreaming.
Day.
End of the night.

In the bottom left corner is where my dreaming takes place.
I dream of random adventures with friends.
where there is really no end to what I can do.
I am infinite.
Also I'm asleep & that makes me feel good.

moving counter-clockwise
(because my days feel backwards)
I go about my day bouncing from school to work,
seeing people on the streets,
talking with customers,
& being in a jumble of thoughts & actions.

After a long day I am able to rest.
I get to be with the people I love,
listening to music,
talking about nonsense,
dancing to nothing at all,
& ultimately
wind down from a long day.

Through this project I learned
That even though our day may seem boring when talking about it,
we can make our day stand out above the rest.
We all made our day to day routine,
& all were vastly different but surprisingly similar.
I also learned that stippling takes forever.
But.
I like it a whole heap.

I did what I did
because it was literally my day.
full of shenanigans & all sorts of random adventures.
It was difficult to do because I had to take something boring and make it fun.
but I enjoyed the challenge.

This is a great project for...
> Patience Building <
> Finding a way to incorporate symbols <
> Finding different meanings for simple things <
> making your daily life look beautiful <

For a Step-By-Step Tutorial
Click Here