Fall 2011 Color Fundamentals

Color Fundamentals or Color Theory as some know it is another basic design course needed for the foundations of my degree. Most of the work in class was based on mixing color from the primary colors in acrylic paints. Much of the coursework involved reproducing or demonstrating knowledge of the different techniques as outlined in the course. The following are actual projects that were more than color charts and swatch experiments:

Project 1: Color Wheel Reproduction

Objective: reproduce a color wheel in the shape of your favorite animal. I opted for a more pre-school version of a whale since the Humpback Whale looked a little funny for the project. Cut-out 5"x5" acrylic on 100lb bristol board arranged as color wheel.

Photography Assignment: Create a composition of items found in nature. Approach composition as a painting assignment, and arrange the natural objects in a design for your photograph. Photo composition of tree root, river stones, acorns and leaves.

Project: Depth

Objective: create a design that shows depth by overlapping, changing saturation and size, and create points of emphasis using color. I used a primary color triad for the color scheme. For this project I envisioned drinking water from the vantage point of inside the esophagus. I reason the water to get lighter in color the closer it is to the viewer and the throat would be darker. 8.5"x14" with 1" inset border, acrylic on 100lb bristol board.

Project: Final (diptych part 1)

Objective: to create two paintings showing opposites based on adjectives of your choosing. This is based on the adjectives Pure and Hot. I used an analogous color scheme for the image. For purity I always think of the religious figure Mary, mother of Christ. The challenge was to portray her image as hot temperature-wise without it appearing too hellish and coming off as an act of sacrilege. I went with the more luminous warm colors in their lighter tints in most cases to show a warm side of the color wheel and still give the painting a more luminous feel.

Project: Final (diptych part 2)

Objective: to create two paintings showing opposites based on adjectives of your choosing. This is based on the adjectives Cold and Corrupt. I used a monochromatic color scheme for the image. For corruption I tend to think of the government, as it seems no matter what the party affiliation, our elected officials are out to be more career politicians instead of serving the public. The challenge was easy to come by as far as color choice. I went with the more icy shades of blue to show a cool side of the color wheel to give the painting a frigid feeling.

Fall 2011 Design Fundamentals Portfolio

Design Fundamentals is one of the basic courses you have to take for the BA in Media Arts/Animation. The course covered everything from line, shape, size, color theory, etc. to give you a balanced intro to making a successful design. The following are the design projects as assigned and the challenge/goal to achieve:

Project 1: Line and Shape Reconstruction

Objective: Make a unified composition that generates a feeling of rest and agitation by aligning, matching and adjoining lines and shapes. Provide a wide variety of shapes, lines, as well as value to create visual interest and movement through repetition and pattern provided by the grid structure. 11"x14" acrylic on 100lb bristol board (compsosed of arranged 1"x1" squares) mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 2: Value and Pattern Study

Objective: Develop and allover pattern over the entire surface of the picture plane using either lines and/or shapes with a repeating motif. The use of different types of value will be used that include low-key, high-key and high contrast to create different effects. 11"x14" acrylic on 100lb bristol board mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 3: Texture Interpretation

Objective: The focus of this design is texture and value and how these elements of art function in a design relative to: Actual Texture, Invented Texture, Impasto, Collage, Assemblage, and Value Keys/Contrast. Using texture as your emphasis, create a design by using any of the texture techniques listed above (one or multiple ones). Then begin by composing a design that focuses on collage. Using your illustration board, create a design that can either be pattern based, abstract, non-objective or representational. Once you have chosen your design concept/layout/subject matter begin by adding material to build up the surface, such as paint directly onto the surface (impasto), attach actual textures/subjects (newspaper, aluminum foil, sticks, leaves, fabric, paint, cards, etc.) and assemblage to create your concept. Once your design is complete, take your paint and cover the entire surface with one singular value tone (whtite, black or any gray tone). 11"x14" collage (cheese cloth, deconstructed humidifier filter, grommet tools, key chain rings) on 100lb bristol board, painted in chrome spray paint and mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 4: Photo Deconstruction/Reassembly

Objective: Take and print photographs of one subject of your choice from different perspectives. Rearrange and organize the photographs and glue them down to either the mat board or bristol board when a successful composition is acheived. Mount your Project on blackm at board with 2 inch border. 26"x40" total design including mat board. Photos of Special Edition God of War III Pandora's Box from different angles deconstructed and reassembled into design. Border incorporated into work, design mounted directly onto mat board.

Project 5: Monochromatic Scales

Objective: To explore the reaction of creating tints and shades and experiencing the changes that take place. This also involves the ability to mix tints and shades accurately, in even and gradual steps, as well as the control and application of paint. Also, to develop an interesting and dynamic composition using all six value scales in a nine step progression. The value scales are to be created with all six of the primary and secondary hues. 14"x14" design (acrylic on 100lb bristol board) mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 6: Color Harmonies (Final)

Objective: to develop a dynamic composition using different types of lines which interact through juxtaposition. Also, to employ different types of color combinations that can include both traditional palettes as well as unconventional color palettes that create color discord. 16"x12" acrylic on 100lb bristol board (assembled from 4"x4" squares) mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Fall 2011 Observational Drawing Final Portfolio

For the final in my observational drawing class, we had to present a portfolio for critique. Two pieces were assigned and the third could be a work of our choosing, all of which needed to be matted. All mats were hand cut by yours truly, and the works framed.

Artwork of Choice to round out the portfolio is a still life set up on my desk. Two drinking glasses courtesy of IKEA, a mini-bust of David and a Space Ghost action figure comprise the work. Ebony pencil on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)

This is my Master Reproduction piece. For this assignment we had to recreate the work of a master in our field of study and also give a presentation on the artist. There are many artists and cartoons that have inspired me to want to get into animation, but since this project had to be rendered in charcoal it had to be an artwork by the artist that had some dimension to reproduce. Unfortunately for me, a lot of the animation I like is 2-D. Fortunately for me, Bruce Timm, does a lot of fan art that you can find on a Google search. I took a piece he did of Dejah Thoris from the John Carter/Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs and did a 2 up of the image in charcoal. The charcoal work was done with charcoal sticks, both vine and compressed, and no charcoal pencils were done for line work. Any outlines or hard edges were produced with kneaded eraser and sharpened charcoal sticks. I used chalk for some highlights as the workable fixative was too strong that I used between drawing sessions, so the highlights wouldn't lift out. Charcoal sticks (vine and compressed) and chalk on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)


For the Final, we were assigned to do a self-portrait in charcoal where we could transplant our face onto any background or setting. Options were to work our portraits into movie posters, game box covers, etc. I chose to put myself on the cover of the game, Castlevania Lords of Shadow. I did a 2 up of a close-up of Gabriel Belmont from the cover of the game, and drew myself from a mirror. This was fun because I got to become an epic video game star for my portrait. I love the game and couldn't pass up the chance to write myself into it somehow, that and give myself the thick moppy hair that I'll never have. The charcoal work was done with charcoal sticks, both vine and compressed, and no charcoal pencils were done for line work. Any outlines or hard edges were produced with kneaded eraser and sharpened charcoal sticks. Highlights on this one were done completely with kneeded eraser and blending the charcoal. This time I built the portrait out of vine charcoal first then went back with the compressed. I think I got a good atmospheric effect with the clouds in the background and the lighting on the armor. Charcoal sticks (vine and compressed) on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)

Evil-Lyn

I keep taking all these breaks from my art project, but I have fun doing it. Anyhow, I haven't finished this one but got the line art done earlier today so decided to post it. Here we have Evil-Lyn as played by Meg Foster. She has awesome eyes. I know lots of people hated the Masters of the Universe movie but she was the shining jewel in the show to me. I plan on continuing with a color job similar to my previous color pieces.

I just added the color test. I've used what I've learned so far in my computer coloring class and think I'll keep Evil-Lyn here as my test subject for a while. It was lots of fun to color and it took a while to color and play with the filters to get the right effects. Here's hoping she keeps improving with each new pass.

Just added the modified pic that shows new layers and shading effects. I've been working on my comic project so have not given this pic much thought since the last posting.

Cartooning Class Final Project

Here we have a semesters worth of learning layout, character design and storytelling put to use. It was kinda rushed and definitely gives me new found respect for people who do layout for a living. The goal was to make a few pages of comic adapted from a script. I came up with this dragon slayer type guy and the scene just took off from there. The first page is the cover I mocked up for the printed copy and the last pages were filler to give an even page count. They're just some quotes and concept sketches I did earlier in the semester put on a stock scroll background I found on the internet.

Cover

Page 1

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Page 3

Cartooning Class Final Project continued...

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Inspirational Quotes

Sketches

Second try at Art School...

My love of art started a long time ago and when I finally went to college I went with every degree plan but the one I really loved. So after quite a few years, I'm going back to art school as I can after work and this blog will track my progress. So far it's been great fun and nice to stretch my creative muscles again. For now it's just a class here and there and some studio work when I can make it. I've yet to decide on a more formal degree plan but all in good time. Some actual art I've completed to follow.