Students learned about creating value changes and implied textures using a variety of mark making techniques with sharpie. The goal of the assignment was to make their “seed” (2x2 inch piece of paper with a photocopied design) incorporate into their drawing seamlessly without the viewer being able to find it. All lines and values around the seed needed to match up perfectly to ensure that the seed blended in. Before starting the assignment, students read an article from Psychology today about the mental health benefits of doodling and its link to stress reduction and mindfulness meditation. Once their seed was incorporated, students took pen to paper and saw where their imagination took them.

For this project we looked at the work of Tim Burton, particularly his stop animation films. Students watched his animated short Vincent, learn about the artist and how to create a stop motion animation of their own. Students worked in groups or individually on this project. When they were done editing they used the software, WeVideo, to edit the films and add sound.

For this project we looked at the work of Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley, who were commissioned to paint Michelle and Barack Obama’s official portraits for the National Portrait Gallery back in 2018. Amy Sherald, who painted Mrs. Obama, is known for her bold and colorful backgrounds contrasted by figure paintings done in gray scale. Kehinde Wiley, who painted President Obama’s portrait, is famous for his hyper-realistic figure studies that mimic classical paintings and are accompanied by electrifying pattern backgrounds. Pieces of his background patterns typically weave through and over the subject. Both Sherald and Wiley’s work reflect on the culture of being a person of color in today’s society. Their works are similar due to their use of color, pattern and aspects of pop culture.

The students learned to use a grid to create a proportionally accurate portrait of themself. Their portrait needed to show value and form through shading using a variety of drawing pencils. The gray scale of their portraits relates to Sherald’s work, where their colorful backgrounds and collage pieces relate to Wiley’s work. For the background they used watercolor, markers and sharpie. Their patterns were supposed to be culturally relevant to their own lived experience.