Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Fear Factor



In order to gain success we have to push through our fears of failure. As an extended jumpstart we are to draw something we are afraid of. The reason is that as artists, we are creators, who are in control. Your fears can't harm you if you are creating a controlled environment for them. You can even make them silly. 

The point is that students are being taught that many of the things we feared when we were small we no longer fear because we learned to gain control of those things in our lives. Such as, if you fear the dark, when you get older you simply turn on the light switch. The light switch we are using in our classes is our minds.

In addition, art is communication. Communication tied to emotion can be more powerful. So we are also exploring how to tie emotion to our images. Please draw your image to be at least 5 by 7 inches.

These are due October 27th.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Musical Caricatures!


We are pretending we have been hired by Rolling Stone Magazine to produce a short biographical magazine article about a musical artist we have an opinion about. This article should include a short write up and an illustration. 


The above image is provided by Sebastian Kruger. Kruger is a brilliant caricature artist. Remember the key to caricature is to exaggerate to tell a story.  So pick someone you have a strong opinion about. 


The above image is another amazing image by Kruger. However, this is not a caricature. This is a portrait. There is no exaggeration going on here. 


This picture of Hendrix by Kruger is a caricature. Notice the form is not as anatomically precise. The approach to Hendrix's form almost makes Hendrix look "cool". We, the audience, have to look up at Hendrix in respect, and he is looking down back at us. The expression in the face is not condescending, but aloof and serious at the same time. This picture gives a feeling, and attitude.

Your image should have feeling and attitude. Below are examples of Kruger capturing the feeling an opinion he had of the following musicians. Your image should capture that as well.

Michael Stipe


Stephen Tyler


Axl Rose 


Mick Jagger


Johnny Cash


Tina Turner


Janis Joplin


David Bowie


Robert Johnson


Madonna

 
So you are going to draw 3 facial studies of a musician that will be due by Friday. Your choice doesn't have to be your favorite musician. It has to be someone you have an opinion about.

You will also need to research your musician. Make sure you can answer these questions... Who are they? What makes them important? Why does their music matter? Where do they perform? How does their music reflect who they are? When did their music matter?


Sunday, October 8, 2017

Tangents!

Tangents!

Tangents are a real problem in art. They can become an unnecessary focal point that confuses the brain and distracts the viewer from where you want to look. 

Click on the definition above!



Maybe in Geometry you have heard of this term...

This doesn't look very exciting until you see this what they look like in real life...


Hey it's Florida's favorite pastime... car accidents!


Awwww.


Ummmm... awkward!


Mike Tyson makes a tangent wherever Mike Tyson wants!


This is a future lawsuit!


Pretty!


What really happened to the Titanic... too soon?


This is a basic chart of common tangents in art.

Below are some graphic representations of tangents in art. (Special thanks to Chris Schweizer)


See the hat gets lost into the barn.

Parallels especially close ones can be confusing for the viewer.


Beginning a line where one ends can also confuse the viewer.

Get that elbow off my border!


Look at all the lines ending on crease points on the figure!


The hair shouldn't perfectly touch the pole, and neither should the elbow.

Notice the line of umbrella feeds right into the directional line of the hand.


Notice the door cuts the image in half... no bueno (no good.)


Solution: simply overlap the door... no more tangent!

Overlap shapes!

Looks simple, but can be wonderfully complex and avoids tangents.




You can also Underlap objects...


Notice these objects are not touching or overlapping what this does is create tension.


Tension can be a wonderful way to create visual drama.

Now word of caution... sometimes tangents can work. C.F. Payne proved this in his wonderful illustration for the book The Remarkable Farkle McBride.


The butterfly is tangent to the trumpet, but works as a hilarious sound joke.