Art Foundation Project 2: Pastels
November ~ January (10 Weeks)
Unit Objective: To implement various pastel techniques and methods into a landscape composition.
You are evaluated on process, participation as well as product. All work must be submitted for assessment. *lessons and assignments may be subject to change - This information is also available on the class website.
Week 1 - Charcoal & Chalk
Exploration of charcoal working methods (blending, tonal range, gradation, errors). Which type of paper would work best and why? Task 1: Students create a still life arrangement and execute it using charcoal and chalk. How should you begin the drawing? What techniques could be used? Highlight the use of tones for shadows and the use of chalk for highlights. Homework: View charcoal techniques here: http://artinspired.pbworks.com/Charcoal View the following site for info on chiaroscuro: http://artinspired.pbworks.com/Chiaroscuro Come prepared to the next class to discuss and implement.
Week 2 - Chiaroscuro
Discuss chiaroscuro. Task 2: A cloth or drape is set up with a spotlight. Using charcoal, how can we complete the drawing? What steps would be best? Complete the drawing highlighting the shadows and light. Homework: Create a full page drawing highlighting your knowledge of chiaroscuro in your sketchbook. Your subject matter could be cloth, drapery, a wrinkled paper bag, a towel or wrinkled sheets, etc., (a light coloured material may work best). Your composition should be interesting and attractive. Review previous resources on composition if needed. Your drawing should be done realistically and contain depth and form. Please create a border or frame on your page. *Due week four.
Week 3 - Charcoal & Chalk cont’d
View: Still Life with Geometric Forms using Sanguine Crayon http://bit.ly/17YlsB to examine stages for creating and completing a composition. Task 3: Sketch a still life with a minimum of three basic geometric forms highlighting the use of shadows and light. Homework: continue week 2 homework
Week 4 - Soft Pastels Exploration
Share, review and critique chiaroscuro composition homework. Using soft, or chalk pastels, students explore working methods. Students should note different paper styles. Which would work best and why? Students attempt various line techniques (weight, intensity, hatching, shading). What happens when one colour is shaded over another? How can two different colours be blended? How can tonal range and gradation be created? Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 91687216@N00/114904416/
Task 4: Using chalk pastels, select two colours and create a simple still life composition. Attempt using the techniques discussed in class as well as chiaroscuro. It is suggested you use the crate technique or create an undertone. Homework: View pastel artwork and note techniques: http://vi.sualize.us/elemict/pastel/
Frank Curkovic & James McCrory