| Lesson
summary:
This is a
project focuses down on a photograph to make a nonobjective composition.
Nonobjective is the type of design that is full of colors, shapes,
lines, values, forms, textures, using the principles of design to make a
composition that has NO recognizable subject or objects.
It instead relies on the elements and principles of design to
create a balanced interesting composition having a center of interest,
directional
movement, rhythmic shapes, variety of size, balance of values and
colors.
By
using a paper finder ( whether it be circle - square - rectangle - or even
triangle) students look for and find a composition
to render with colored pencil.
Each composition must have the principles of good design and a use
of color.
The pencil will be applied with layers creating a smooth blend of
colors -
duplicating
what is in the viewfinder window as much as possible. (teacher prep - Cut
some scrap white paper into 4" squares for students to make view
finders)
Science
Integration:
Note
from Judy: This is how I had planned to use this lesson. My lesson title
was "Under the Microscope" Students take their own nature
photographs - focusing on pattern in nature - look around the school yard
- or they can take photograph themselves at home. Students will become
more aware of plants (insects and animals) in their surroundings.
Some interesting plants could be borrowed from a local nursery/floral shop
to photograph for those who do not bring in their own photographs. As a
back up - I planned to have a bunch of patterns in nature already pulled
from magazines. We would further "zoom in" on some of the plant
life using the microscope....looking for plant cells (and look at fish
scales - from a previous lesson). Students would draw what
they see under the microscope and incorporate some of the patterns in
their focus down drawings if they choose. I
got this idea for "focus down composition" first from Jaye
Bumbaugh, Bluffton College, in summer of 1969.
Reference
for Science Integration:
 |
Eye
of Science - Images under the microscope. Site by Oliver Meckes and
Nicole Ottawa. Using electron microscopy and other equipment and
techniques, the pair has created fine images of such things as parasites,
cross-sections of a lavender leaf, and more. Great inspirations for an art
project! Permission has been granted for Art Teachers to use these images
with students (low resolution images only - for in class/educational use).
Shown
is Xanthoria Parietina - a Lichen
|
| Botany
Photo of the Day - different high-quality photograph
every day, complete with background information. Visitors can also
view the site's archives, which date back to April 2005 and browse
previously featured photographs, which are divided into
categories. Art teachers have permission to use these photographs
for this purpose. |
Procedures:
1.
Make a 2 inch circle with a compass on a piece of paper (white
drawing paper scraps pre-cut to 4" square).
Make several to "test" different compositions.
Cut out the circles using an X-acto knife on a cutting board. Small
scissors could also be used for safety. (You may have student make
different size circle if you choose)
2. Look in magazines
(or photographs) for interesting shapes, colors, contrast of
values, variety of sizes, and interesting area off center, gradations of
colors and values.
Still make sure that you can’t really see what the picture is.
Look for a composition with the finder over the picture that
reveals a good design. Place
the finder over the picture so that it will be showing the composition
through the circle and blocking out the rest.
Find at least 3 that you feel are good.
Tape the finder over it and save.
3.
After a small critique, select one that is the best and enlarge it
to newsprint with a grid.
The circle will be 10” in diameter.
Use a circle template 10" wide (or a compass set to
5" radius) and on a
12" square newsprint paper, make a circle. Find the middle and draw a line dividing it in both
directions making a cross in the middle. Fold the circle in half (open and
draw line with ruler) - then open and fold in half the other direction -
draw line with ruler. Lay one inch grid transparency over smaller picture dividing
the circle in half (or draw grid using ruler)
4. Enlarge
the most important lines by using the grid as a way of keeping good
proportion. You may further divide the larger grin and smaller grid if
necessary (divide each larger block into 4ths). When finished with the enlarging --
Use Seral graphite paper to transfer to good drawing paper 80# to make the final drawing.
Use a precut 10" circle template to draw a light circle around the transferred
composition. (If you do not have Seral Transfer paper - use graphite on
back of newsprint).
6.
Observe the demonstration on layering the pencil to produce
different colors and values.
Use white pencil to blend layers together. Practice
using soft light layers of colored pencils to achieve soft gradations and
different colors. Always start with the lightest colors first and then go
to the darker ones. Colorless blenders or white pencils will help blend layers together. Practice the colors you need on the side of the paper
outside the circle.
7.
Select colors that will be used - continue drawing - laying
colors to match the photograph. The goal is to duplicate the colors as
close as possible. What combination of colors will give the results found
in the photograph? Use scrap paper first to try colors. Close observation
is the important - students will be evaluated on their observation
skills/skill in enlarging/scale drawing - value shading - and color
selections. Note this lesson could also be used for a black and
white value scale drawing.
8.
Note from Judy - Presentation: Cut a 10" circle from larger colored
construction paper (12" square or larger). I found it easy to just
cut a number of circles myself - all at the same time from some basic
colors and let the students choose. You can have them cut themselves.
Middle school students may need a couple tires to get a circle you will be
happy with. They may tend to rush the circle cutting..... just a warning
to you. Put a few SMALL dots of glue in the negative space on the drawing
paper - towards the sides - not too close to the circle - spread
glue. Gently line up the construction paper circle with circle drawing to
mat. If you have a circle mat cutter - circular mats would be a nice
professional look.
Note from Andy: The next time he does this lesson,
he plans to do it on reflections - all focus down automotive photographs.
See Cars Series photographs by Scott
Matyjaszek http://www.artephax.com
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