Reflect and Stretch and Explore

Reflect & Stretch and Explore

The Studio Habits of Mind that will be explored in this unit are Reflect and Stretch and Explore.

To reflect on an artwork, whether it is our own, the work of our peers, or professional work, we must learn to think and talk about art using specific vocabulary to that particular art form. It is also important as we reflect, to think and talk about the art making process and the conventions artists use to create work. Reflecting also means deciphering the meaning of the piece intended by the artist through visual symbolism and finding connections to it on a personal level.

To stretch and explore as artists we must learn to use all of the Studio Habits of Mind, and artistic concepts and conventions to go beyond what we perceive as our limitations - or what we think we can't do or aren't good at. We must remember to explore new ideas, mediums, and tools, stretch beyond our comfort zone by trying new things, take risks, and make mistakes. Most importantly, as artists, we must learn from everything that we engage in, the progress we make, and all of the opportunities for growth and development.

Just as in all of the Studio Habits of Mind, the ability for an artist to reflect on artwork and to stretch and explore takes repeated practice.

What will I create?

You will be creating a layout, in the accurately constructed perspective type of your choice, that uses the concepts of cinematic layout to tell a visual story of your choosing through the environment created, without the use of characters.

Layout in 1 Point Perspective

Layout in Flat Perspective

Layout in 2 Point Perspective

Layout in Warp Perspective

Layout in 3 Point Perspective

Artistic Concept

A concept is an abstract idea. Artists use different concepts to take those ideas from abstraction to reality. The concepts being explored through the lens of the Studio Habit - Reflect & Stretch and Explore are Reflection and Originality.

Reflection

Reflection lies in an artist's ability to look at an artwork critically. Reflection includes describing the piece, considers the elements and principles of design as well as the artistic conventions that went into making it, and thinks about the meaning of the piece as seen in the visual symbols through the lens of individual experiences, culture, and history. Reflection involves thinking and talking about the process as well as the final product.

Originality

Originality lies in an artist's ability to create something that is "new" to them. Originality does not mean that the artwork, or the process is entirely new or never been seen before. Most "original" pieces are inspired by other things in the artist's life including other artworks. Originality, it it's purest sense is simply how each individual creates an artwork using their own inspiration, set of references, individual skillsets, experiences, personal meanings, and values.

Perspective

Draw from Observation

Practice:

To see linear perspective in reality, draw a part of the classroom exactly as you see it.

Practice:

Choose a work from a Renaissance master and reproduce it

Last Supper Da Vinci

The Annunciation Botticelli

The Ideal City - Urbino della Francesca

Learn the terms in the system:

Linear Perspective is a system developed by Renaissance artists to create the illusion of 3D space on a flat, 2D surface.

A horizon line is a horizontal straight line that represents the viewer's eye level. Anything above the horizon line we see the bottom of; below the horizon line we see the top of.

A vanishing point is a dot - the number of which depends on the type of perspective being created - that all of the converging lines are drawn back to.

Using a marker, determine the horizon line in your reproduction of the master pieces. Then determine the vanishing point(s) in the reproduction as well.

Draw Along!

Boxes in 1 Point Perspective

Boxes in 2 Point Perspective

Boxes in 3 Point Perspective

Pick a tutorial from the included list and draw along with it to create your own version of the layout using accurate perspective construction.

1 Point perspective: Buildings looking up

1 Point Perspective: Spaceship

2 Point Perspective: Cottage Interior

2 Point Perspective: Interior Star Wars

2 Point Perspective: Exterior Star Wars

The basics of 1, 2, and 3 Point Perspective

2 Point Perspective: Victorian House Exterior

3 Point Perspective: City

3 Point Perspective: Interior

5 Point Perspective: NYC

Elements of Art & Design

The elements and principles of art and design are the foundation on which all art is created. They can be thought of like a sentence. There has to be words in order to make a sentence; no words, no sentence. The elements of art are like the words. Without the elements - line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form - there is no art. That doesn't mean that all elements of art must be used in an individual artwork, just like not every word has to be used in a sentence, but at least one must be present.

Reflect & Stretch and Explore will focus on the following elements of art & design:

Line

Discover some interesting aspects about the element of art & design: line

Value

Discover some interesting aspects about the element of art & design: value

Principles of Art & Design

If we think of the elements and principles of art & design like a sentence, with the words being a metaphor for the elements, then the principles of art & design are the ways in which the words are arranged. The way in which you arrange the words of a sentence dictates the feel and meaning of it. More descriptive words, and the sentence gives more detail; less words, and the sentence reads sharp or abrupt. The principles of art and design are the way in which an artwork is arranged. Does it appear uneasy, or relaxed? Without the principles of design - pattern and repetition, contrast, movement, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and unity - an artwork would not have a unique look and personality to it. The principles of art and design are more subjective as well. This means that they can be viewed and interpreted by one person differently than they are viewed and interpreted by another.

Reflect & Stretch and Explore will focus on the following principles of art & design:

Movement

Discover some interesting aspects of the principle of art & design: movement.

Emphasis

Discover some interesting aspects of the principle of art & design: emphasis.

Brainstorm!

Create a list of your ideas for this piece. What visual story do you want to tell? What will my environment look like?

Consider the following:

location - where does this scene take place?
time period - when does this scene take place?
character type - what types of characters live in this world?
props or objects to include - what objects would be used by characters in this space and help tell the visual story?

Artistic Conventions

A convention is an accepted way in which something is done. It's a variety of things that artists do to create a piece of artwork. Artists use their knowledge of the numerous different artistic conventions with corresponding methods and techniques to portray meaning in an artwork.

Each Studio Habit of Mind will explore different artistic conventions. In this example, the artist is using the artistic conventions that this unit will explore - thumbnail sketching, depth of field, and cinematic layout. Thumbnail sketching can be seen in the two small, quickly drawn images that explore composition and shape. Depth of field can be seen in the cliff with the gate and gargoyles that is in the bottom left of the illustration. This is the foreground object. The bridge leads the eye back to the house on the rocky outcropping in the middle-ground. Faded in the background are the other rock structures. This creates a sense of layered space. Cinematic layout can be seen in the image as it looks like it is a still from a movie. The artist has clearly thought about creating a sense of drama, placing the viewer in a very specific location, and telling a strong visual narrative.

Thumbnail Sketching

This convention refers to the artist's ability to explore new ideas through small, quick, rough drawings with an emphasis on composition, visual storytelling, and problem solving. Thumbnails can be done for any medium and are an essential part of the pre-visualization process.

Depth of Field

This convention refers to the artist's use of layered space. Layered space is created by having something in the foreground - or close to the viewer, something in the middle ground - where the focal point of the artwork generally is, and something in the background - or far away from the viewer.

Cinematic Layout

This convention refers to the artist's ability to plan out a final piece as if it were a "still" taken from a movie. The artist must consider composition, interaction of characters and environment, shapes, lines, visual storytelling, and emotional connection among a number of other things.

References!

Collect references for your layout. The more the better. Make sure you refer back to your brainstorming list often to ensure that you find a reference for everything you need in order to create the environment.

Composition

Composition refers to the arrangement of the elements of art & design according to the principles of art & design in any given artwork.

Composition is the key to creating a strong, aesthetically pleasing artwork in any medium. The previous sections explored four of the guidelines to creating strong compositions: rule of thirds, leading the eye, depth of field, and negative space. This video will explore those as well as focal point or emphasis.

Use the guided notetaking sheet to create your own examples of strong compositions based on your learning from the video.

Thumbnail Sketching

Create nine different thumbnail sketches of your environment in quick, accurate perspective.

With instructor guidance, choose your two best thumbnails sketches that have strong compositions, a sense of unity created through the elements and principles of design, and tell an interesting visual story. Add value to your two choices.

Report abuse