Majors Project #9: Flip-book!

Important: You must see me for a demonstration, before you begin this project.  It is your responsibility to schedule an appointment with me.

There are many methods of making an animation, but the simplest method is the flip-book.  All you need to make a flip-book is a thick pad of paper and a pen.

If you do not have a thick pad of paper, you can use an old paperback book.  Ask your parents if they have one that you can draw in.  If they do not, your local Good Will is a great place to find inexpensive, used paperbacks.

Here are some things to remember when you are making your flip-book:

Before you begin drawing in your book or on your pad, do some trial runs using pads of Post-it Notes.  I have some Post-it note pads for you.  Make sure you ask me for a few if you do not have any at home.

Start your sequential drawings on the LAST page and work towards the front. It is easier to flip your book from back to front and this will ensure that your animation runs in the right direction.

Draw in the lower right-hand corner of the page.

Begin with something simple, like a bouncing ball, or a shape that gets bigger or smaller, and then, when you finish the 100-drawing sequence, you can go back and add a detail that you then add through the entire sequence.

Your flip-book animation must be at least 100-drawings long, so do not commit to a detailed drawing—you will get sick of it if you have to draw it 100 times.

You are required to show me your flip-book as it is in progress on May 25^th.  Make sure you bring it to class on or before that date.  It does not have to be finished on May 25^th, but it must be well under way.  At this point I will give you feedback and suggestions that you may incorporate into the finished product.

The finished flip-book is due on June 1^st.  Late turn in will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0.

The in-progress flip-book is worth      5 points

The finished product is worth             25 points

Total:                                                  30 points

 Here are some links to examples.  Remember, you are not required to film your flipbook, you are only required to hand it in to me.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AslYxmU8xlc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmsrMse_ZXg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C2reDXv4cM&feature=fvwrel

Majors Project #8 Shadow Tracing (Part 1)

Shadows are everywhere.  In visual arts, they are often an important part of creating an interesting composition, and establishing a mood, as in Film Noir movies such as The Spiral Staircase.

From The Spiral Staircase, Directed by Robert Siodmak, 1945

Some artists make shadows the central focus of their work, and in doing so, draw our attention to that which we normally take for granted.

For this project, you will need the following:

-sidewalk chalk

-a camera (a camera phone is fine)

For this project, you will complete the following:

-you will make 3 chalk drawings.

-you will photograph those drawings, taking 3 pictures of each drawing for a total of 9 photographs (all in sharp focus).

-you will submit the photographs to me via email.

Due no later than April 24th at 5:00PM.  Late turn in will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment.

Instructions

Different shadows appear at different times of day.  Some are created by the sun and slowly change shape as the day progresses, some are created by street lamps and only appear after dark.  

Your assignment is to explore your neighborhood, in search of shadows and to "capture" THREE of them by outlining them in sidewalk chalk.  You will then photograph your drawings and submit the photographs via email (okaing@newtrier.k12.il.us).

In order to prepare for this assignment, go for AT LEAST one walk on a SUNNY DAY, between 8:00-10:00 AM or 3:00-6:00 PM.  These are the times when the sun is relatively low in the sky and shadows are elongated.  ALSO go for at least one walk after dark, when the street lamps are on.  On both/all of your walks, search for  shadows that have interesting positive and negative shapes, make note of their locations and the time of day when you saw the shadow.  Be aware of the weather forecast.  A cloudy day will not yield many shadows.  

When you have decided which locations and times of day are best, go to those locations and use a piece of sidewalk chalk to thickly outline the shadows.  You may want to return at a different time of day in order to "capture" the shadow as it evolves and changes.

Photograph your work.  Shoot your drawings from a variety of angles.  The photographs should be well composed (think about the rule of thirds).  Check to make sure you have at least three, sharply focused, well composed photographs of each of your chalk drawings.  You should have at least 9 photographs (3 of each drawing).  

This project should reflect at least 9 hours of work, including the time it takes you to go on your research walks, to make the drawings, to photograph the drawings and to email the photographs.

Email the photographs to me no later than April 24th at 5:00PM.  Late turn in will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment.

CAUTION:  Do not select shadows that will require you to draw in the street where there is automobile traffic.  Take an adult with you when you go out in the evening to research or to draw your shadows.  Be aware of your surroundings and be safe.  ONLY use SIDEWALK CHALK.  Do not use any drawing material that is not easily washed away.  

Major's Project #7

Re-Draw Your Childhood

Select one of the childhood drawings that you have included in the Art History of You project, and recreate that drawing.

As a young adult, you have more skills at your disposal than you did as a small child, so this re-imagined image will have a more polished aesthetic, but it should still be clearly related to the original.

You may recreate the drawing in any medium (drawing, photography, video, painting, computer illustration, Photoshop, fashion design, etc.).

Yeundoo Jung is an artist who uses color photography to recreate the drawings of children.

Notice which elements are included in the photograph: the sun, the princess, the hill, the cross, and to some extent, the building.

Dave Devries creates computer-generated images that are faithful to the shapes and expressions of the original drawings.  He embellishes to make the flat shapes appear 3-dimensional.  He also adds backgrounds and color.

Your finished product is due on Friday, March 9th before 4:00PM.
You may email a high-quality (no blurry photographs please) documentation of your project to me or you may hand in the original work.

This project should reflect at least 7.5 hours of work, and the finished product should be a clearly resolved work.  If I feel that your project was rushed or not carefully considered, this will negatively impact your grade.

Late turn-in will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0 for this project.

Contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Majors Project #6

The Art History of You

Create an “historical” time line that reflects your own artistic development.  Collect as many pieces of your art from early childhood (as far back as you can go) to the present.  From this collection, select at least twelve pieces that are representative of major phases that you have gone through in your art making.  Try to have a selection of work from each year of your life.  Make sure each piece is dated (you may have to ask for your parent’s help in dating the works).

Make a folder (or box, if you have 3-D works) of these works and write at least one paragraph for each piece that describes the work and relates it to that time in your life.  Did you go through a “dinosaurs and monsters” phase?  How long did it last?  How did you learn to draw dinosaurs?  Can you see any remnants of this phase in the art you made in subsequent periods of your life?  Where do you see evidence of your skills improving?

Be sure to make it clear which piece you are writing about.  It may be helpful to label and number the artworks and to number their corresponding paragraphs.

In addition to writing at least one paragraph for each image, you will also write a 3-5 paragraph summary of the ways in which your interests in art making and your skills have developed since early childhood.  You may not have clear memories of making art when you were very young, so it may be necessary to interview your parents to see what they remember about your artistic tendencies.

Hand in your folder (or box) of artwork and writing to Miss Funo.

Please be advised:

This project must reflect at least 15 hours of work.  If your timeline seems unfinished or rushed, this will negatively impact your grade.

The due date for this project is Friday, February 17^th.  Submissions made after 3:30 PM on February 17^th will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0 for this project.

Please see me if you have questions or would like to discuss your project.

Majors Project #5: Research an Artist

Due on Friday, January 13th

A special note: Late turn in will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0 for this project.  No exceptions will be made.


Research Two Artists

Create a Powerpoint presentation about two artists.  You do not have to compare or contrast them, I just want you to introduce me to two artists who are interesting to you.

This is a research project, so all information must be cited.  You are required to include a bibliography of at least SIX sources (at least three for each artist).  These sources may be print media, scholarly journals found online, or DVD interviews with the artist.  Wikipedia is not a reliable source and will not be accepted as part of your bibliography.

This presentation should include

At least 7 images of the EACH artist's work.  The images may represent a wide span of the artists' careers, or the images may focus on specific projects that the artists made.

The presentation must include the following information:

Artists' dates of birth and country of origin
Development of the artists' careers (how did they start out, and what do you think has made them famous/successful?)
What other artists influenced them?
What social or historical events occurred in their lifetimes and influenced their art?

Please note that:
Each image MUST be labeled with the title, date of production, and medium, as well as a short paragraph that discusses the image (why did you choose this image in particular...does it exemplify a certain stage in the artist's development?)

All statements about the artist should be cited and the last slide of the Powerpoint MUST be a bibliography of the sources.

Email your Powerpoint to Miss Funo NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY JANUARY 13TH.
okaing@newtrier.k12.il.us

Majors Project #4 Due Monday, December 5th

Use paper and cardboard to make a replica of your bed.


Using paper, cardboard, colored pencils, glue and/or tape, make replicas of your sheets, blankets, comforters, pillows and anything else that comprises your bed. Then assemble them the way you assemble your bed. The completed bed should be roughly the length of a pencil. Take special care to reproduce the patterns on the fabric and any stains or other irregularities.

This assignment is from Miranda July's art project, Learning To Love You More.  To see images of the paper beds made by other people, visit the website and click on the names under "Reports."


http://learningtoloveyoumore.com/reports/16/16.php




Take a photograph of your paper bed and a photograph of your actual bed (with the same sheets, pillows, etc. that are in your paper replica).  Make sure your photographs are in focus.  


Submit the photographs to Miss Funo's email.


okaing@newtrier.k12.il.us


Due Date: Monday, December 5th.

Monday, October 17th

Majors Project #3 Due Monday, 10/31/2011

For this assignment, you will need the following:

A sketch book

A pencil

Transportation to, and entrance to a museum (sometimes entrance fees can be quite expensive, so research before you go, and take your student ID with you)

A printed version of this assignment (you will need to have with you the step-by-step instructions and the questions that are listed below)

Time (at least an hour in the museum)

Go to an art gallery or museum (choose from the list below, and do some research to make sure you know what the museum hours are and whether or not the museum is "in-between" shows).

At The Museum

Take some time to look at a few of the works in the museum.

Select a single piece that you think is especially interesting or attractive to you.  This can be a painting, a video, a photograph, a sculpture, etc.  You will be looking at the work for a long time, so make sure you are truly drawn to it.

Step 1: Identify the piece.  Look for a label on the wall near the work.  In your sketchbook, write down ALL of the information that is on the label.

Step 2: Spend at least 15 minutes just looking at the piece.  Use a watch or your phone to time yourself.  Fifteen minutes in front of one piece can feel like a very long time.  Use this time to allow your eye to wander across or around the piece.  If the art is 3-dimensional, view it from several angles. If the art is 2-dimensional, view it from different distances.  Do not rush this step, allow yourself to "be" with the artwork.

Step 3: In your sketchbook, do a sketch of the piece.  Your sketch can be as loose or as detailed as you want, but it should include some indication of the details that you think are important in this work.

Step 4:  While you are still in front of the piece, write one or two paragraphs reflecting on this piece of art.  Think about the following questions and see if their answers have to do with what you like about this work:

What is it made of?  Paint, plaster, wood, graphite, steel?  Look at the label if you are not sure.

When was it made?  What was happening in the world at this time?

How is it made? By hand? What kinds of tools?  Is it hard to tell how it was made?

How big is it? (is it bigger or smaller than you?  is size important to the impact that it has on you?)

To turn in this assignment, show me your sketchbook with the sketch and the writing.