Develop Craft

The Studio Habit of Mind that will be explored in this unit is Develop Craft.

To develop our craft as artists we must learn to use the tools (such as wire and pencils), materials (such as paint and clay), and practices (artistic conventions like composition) of a particular art form. We must also learn to care for them in our studio space through proper cleaning and maintaining. Developing craft in an art form is also cultivated and continued over time through practice and exploration.

Just as in all of the Studio Habits of Mind, the ability for an artist to learn more about their craft and the process of creating it takes repeated practice and time.

Give an example or two, in the art room, where you've developed your craft?

Give an example or two, outside of the art room, where you've learned to be better at your craft?

Artistic Concept

A concept is an abstract idea. Artists use different concepts to take those ideas from abstraction to reality. The concept being explored through the lens of the Studio Habit - Develop Craft is Exploration.

Exploration lies in an artist's ability to try a number of new things with an open mind. These new things may be within or outside of the artist's comfort zone. An artist explores new media, ideas, practices, and techniques by taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from all outcomes.

Why is it important to explore as artists?

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.

Develop Craft will focus on the following elements of art & design:

Line Guide

Element of Art & Design

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

Shape Guide

Element of Art & Design

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

Principle 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.

Develop Craft will focus on the following principles of art & design:

Principle of Art & Design

Discover some interesting aspects of about the principle of art & design: pattern and repetition

Pattern Guide

Principle of Art & Design

Discover some interesting aspects about the principle of art & design: contrast

Contrast Guide

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 - variety of sizes, overlap, line weight, and negative space. Variety of sizes can be seen in the ovals on the clarinet. Overlap can be seen in the trumpet in front of the music waves. Line weight can be seen in the lines on the drum. Negative space can be seen in the black.

Variety of Sizes

This convention refers to the artist's use of an element of art & design in different sizes. Some big, some little, and some in-between.

Overlap

This convention refers to the artist's placement of an element of art & design in front of or in back of another element.

Line weight

This convention refers to the artist's use of thick and thin lines throughout the artwork to create variety and interest.

Negative Space

This convention refers to the artist's use of the empty space in an artwork. The empty space is just as important as the filled space.

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.

Learn more about composition through guided notetaking.

Getting Started

3D Repeating Design

Objectives

To apply the concept of exploration to a variety of ideas
To understand four of the different types of design by creating examples.
To use color theory to create the illusion of depth on a flat, 2d surface.

National Art Standards

Anchor Standard #1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard #2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard #3: Refine and complete artistic work.

Instructions

Exploration

Thumbnail sketches are quick, rough drawings that plan out the composition of a piece and work through numerous visual "solutions" to a design "problem."

Thumbnail sketches are a great way to explore as they are a space to try out new things. Since they are quick drawings with little detail, they are a safe place to make mistakes, learn, and revise. Artists create a lot of thumbnail sketches as a way to pre-plan an artwork and work out potential areas of concern.