Golden Ratio Explained

Wow. This is an excellent article with great visuals about the Golden Ratio. It's amazing how much money companies spend on their logos, but when you see how much thought goes into the best ones, the investment makes sense. You can't just whip out an effective logo without considering the Golden Ratio. Click the link below to read the article.

The Designer's Guide to the Golden Ratio

http://www.creativebloq.com/design/designers-guide-golden-ratio-12121546

Introduction to Ink!

Lately, I've been pursuing a goal of teaching myself how to draw beautiful letters. In so doing, I have delved into the world of ink and dip pens! Below is a wonderful, brief video explaining how to use India Ink, dip pens (calligraphy & drawing), and paint brushes. It's chock-full of excellent information, plus it reviews some of the texture effects we studied in class.

Make Art Because You Can

Something New to Inspire You

For the past 14 years, Spazuk has perfected a technique called fumage, that allows him to use the flame of a candle or the flame of a torch as a pencil to create his paintings with trails of soot. Using various tools, he intuitively sculpt the plumes of soot left behind in response to the shapes that appear on the canvas.

Tips & Inspiration

WEEK 12: COMPOSITION

Home-work for the weeks of  November 5 - 12, 2015
Assignments Due: November 12, 2015

Semester Project #2 is due on November 19, 2015

Remember, if you have any questions about these assignments,
please contact Mrs. Z at mrsz@gmx.com. Don't wait until it's too late!

INSPIRATION
Read pages 83-88 in Art and the Bible by Francis Schaeffer.  Remember to highlight and/or underline your favorite parts or passages that speak to you. We will discuss these pages on November 12th.

VOCABULARY
This week's vocabulary words have been added to our Quizlet. Click here if you still need to join the class: https://quizlet.com/join/tJ49SA5AG. There will be a quiz on these words next week.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• GOLDEN MEAN
  Click here for even more detailed information on the "Golden Mean" or "Golden Ratio"
  http://arthistory.about.com/cs/glossaries/g/g_golden_ratio.htm
• COLORED PENCILS COMPARISON CHART
  If you're interested in purchasing some higher quality colored pencils, please click this link. On this page, Matt Fussell offers invaluable advice about selecting colored pencils as well as a comparison chart.http://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/colored-pencil-comparison-chart

PRINCIPLE OF DESIGN - COMPOSITION
(Tip: Start this video at the 2 minute mark)

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GEORGES SEURAT

"Bathers at Asnières" by Georges Seruat (click to enlarge)

** Remember: Drawing is 50% observation *** 

PRACTICE DRAWING:

Pay close attention to your COMPOSITION this week. Remember to utilize the elements you've learned (i.e., space, line quality, texture, shape, form, value, and color) as well as the principles of art you've learned so far: contrast, unity, balance, and rhythm. You should spend around 30-45 minutes on each drawing. 

DAYS ONE & TWO: Draw an indoor area or an outdoor scene that shows distance using foreground, middle ground, and background. Be sure to include a wide range of values. BEFORE YOU START: Make at least one thumbnail sketch first to experiment with composition and plan your drawing.

DAY THREE:  Watch the Seurat video if you haven't watched it yet. As stated, Seurat made many preliminary studies (sketches and drawings) before composing his paintings. Today, draw an outdoor scene and insert a variety of things you've seen in order to make an original work of art. Feel free to include some unusual or unexpected objects, contrasts, textures, etc. for an element of surprise in your drawing. Compose the objects in your picture using what you know about depth (overlapping, larger images in the foreground, smaller images as you move back in the drawing, etc.). Be sure to bring this drawing to class so we can discuss it.

DAY FOUR: Continue working on your drawing which will accompany your final semester project which is due on November 19th. This drawing will be displayed on Presentation Night. 

Reference Chart