Resources for Identity Project

This post is just me throwing you a myriad of inspirational resources for your Identity painting project.  Feel free to check out the following illustration/painting blogs while you ideate in the computer lab.

illustrationmundo.com
fecalface.com
newamericanpaintings.wordpress.com
booooooom.com
beautifuldecay.com
butdoesitfloat.com
blog.drawn.ca

Keep in mind that you can limit the search parameters on a lot of those sites to just painting, illustration, etc.  And most importantly, don't forget Google Image Search!  That bad boy will save you tons of time; get specific and see what you can come up with.

Sketchbook Assignment #6 (Due 10/23)

Hello all!  So last week we watched a portion of the Art 21 Episode "Identity" and discussed the theme of identity in contemporary art (if you'd like to re-watch a portion of the video it's available at  http://www.pbs.org/art21/watch-now/episode-identity).  Your sketchbook assignment for this weekend is a short writing assignment along with a project proposal.  I'd like you to answer each of the following numbered questions with just a few short sentences (numbered in your sketchbook as well) as they will guide your painting project.

1) How do you see yourself (personal interests, experiences, cherished objects and places, etc)?
2) How do you think others see you (superficial impressions)?
3) Who would you like to be (goals for yourself as a person, future aspirations, etc)?

Take these questions into consideration and allow them to inform your painting project.  Keep in mind that we'll be painting on a larger surface this time around; at least 18" x 24" and larger if you so desire.  Which brings me to the final question!

4) What would you like to paint for your final project?  You can include as much information as you like, but at the very least I would like for you to explain how your subject matter connects to your personal identity.  I know in class we discussed foregoing representational imagery in favor of more conceptual faire, but I am all about you enjoying your project!  If you want to paint a grandiose dragon or a soccer ball that's entirely fine, but on Tuesday I'll be discussing with you individually how we can beef up your ideas.  I'll also cover the process of ideation and thumbnail creation next week, so consider this project proposal merely a starting point.

Blogs of note!

I present to you three of my favorite blogs for contemporary art and general visual anthropology.  Take a gander and make yourself of what speaks to you (and for whatever reason)!

http://butdoesitfloat.com/
http://www.fecalface.com/
http://www.booooooom.com/

Sketchbook Assignment #5 (Due 10/9)

It's that time again!  Your next sketchbook assignment (due Tuesday, October 9th) is to draw a pile of your dirtiest laundry.  It doesn't have to be laundry necessarily; you can use a bunched up comforter or sheets, towels, or anything made up of fabric.  The idea is to fill your page with a drawing of a mound of fabric (no tiny drawings off in the corner) and to use varying line quality.  You don't have to shade anything; I just want you to explore all of the interior lines and fill your page with varying lines (lost and found, pure, bold, etc.)

Sketchbook Assignment #4 (Due 10/2)

Okay, now it's time to try something painfully new!  I want you to render an object in your household using strictly ink (preferably sharpie as it creates large lines that keep you from getting too finicky).  The idea is to imply three dimensional form via shading, but since you're limited to only black and white you have to get a little creative and pay attention to your negative space.  Make sure at least one area of your piece is fairly dark (more black space than white space).  Check out these examples that utilize different types of linework:

Sketchbook Assignment #3 (Due 9/18)

For this round of sketchbookery I want you to draw something you love... something you desperately and hopelessly love until the end of days, but with some STIPULATIONS!  You need to draw a 7" by 7" square in your sketchbook and this will become the outer border for your drawing.  If your sketchbook is silly-small then you'll have to just fill the page.  Herein lies the stipulation: the object of your undying affection needs to go past three of the borders (you can even draw the object outside of the borders if it helps you to visualize what is happening).  You can have it extending past all four borders, but at a minimum I want it to expand across three.  For example, let's say you have a weird necro-crush on Pope John Paul the 2nd.  Note how he extends past three of the borders, but the fourth is left open.  There's no need to shade your drawing (definitely put some detail/effort into it, however), but you get the idea!

Sketchbook Assignment #2 (Due 9/11)

Hello again my fellow arteests!  Just as we did in class on Thursday, I want you to complete 10 gesture drawings (in pencil please).  For your reference I want you to do your best to find candid subjects (someone sitting in a bench, someone standing at an intersection, or any pose that's relatively stationary).  The more exagerated the pose the better (arms extended, legs somewhat spread or crossed).  If you can't find any candid subjects then try enlisting someone to do a few poses for you.  Each gesture drawing should only take about 30 seconds.  Also, try to fit as many as you can onto one or two pages instead of having 10 spread throughout your sketchbook.  Some examples below! 

What do I NOT want to see?  I'm glad you asked!  I don't want to see any deliberation over structure or an attempt to build up the figure through skeletal structure or geometric volume.  For the love of all that is good and holy, DO NOT DO THIS (see below)!

The above drawing is a fine way to approach the figure, but it is not gesture drawing.  Give me your loosest, ugliest, most free-form attempts at rendering the figure!