Express & Observe

Express

Observe

Express & Observe

The Studio Habits of Mind that will be explored in this unit are Express and Observe.

To express ourselves as artists we must learn to create works that convey an idea (an aim or purpose), message (an important point or theme), feeling (an emotion or belief), or personal meaning (an intended communication of personal importance). Expression is created by artists through the use of symbolism, metaphor, and personal beliefs and experiences. Artists use various artistic conventions to show their ideas, messages, feelings, and personal meanings.

To observe as an artist we must learn to go beyond normal looking. Observation starts with seeing things exactly as they are and appreciating it as such. Deeper observation, the type practiced by artists, sees things very closely, notices the details that are not immediately seen, and recognizes the subtlety of what is being observed. True observation also notices the messages that are being expressed by what is being observed as well as the hidden messages too.

Just as in develop craft, the ability for an artist to deeply observe and express themselves through their work takes repeated practice.

Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dali

Harlem Heat, Gary Kelley

Pieta, Michaelangelo Buonarroti

What ideas, messages, feelings, or personal meanings are being expressed through various symbols, metaphors, and artistic conventions by the artists in these pieces? What can be observed in the work to aid in this?

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 Habits - Express and Observe is Symbolism and Metaphor.

Symbolism and Metaphor refers to an artist's use of visuals that stand for or mean something other than their literal definition. Artists have a goal or an idea that they want to communicate - this is called their intent. To communicate their intent they use widely accepted visual symbols in an artwork including objects, figures, and even colors. An artwork that is comprised of symbols and metaphors creates a theme - or big idea - that an artist is passionate about and wants to share with their viewers.

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.

Express & Observe will focus on the following elements of art & design:

Value Guide

Element of Art & Design

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

Texture Guide

Element of Art & Design

Discover some interesting aspects of the element of art & design: texture

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.

Express & Observe will focus on the following principles of art & design:

Movement

Discover some interesting aspects of the principle of art & design: movement. Explore examples of how different artists create movement in their artwork. Analyze the artistic conventions those artists use to create the illusion of movement in their work.

Movement 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 - perspective, depth of field, and hatching to create value. Perspective can be seen in through the illusion of 3D space. Depth of field can be seen in the table that in the foreground, the bed in the middle ground, and the painting on the wall in the background. Hatching can be seen in the chandelier.

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.

Perspective

This convention refers to the artist's use of a set of guidelines to create the illusion of 3D space on a flat 2D surface.

Hatching

This convention refers to the artist's use of lines, crossing lines, curving lines, and dots either grouped close together or spread farther apart to create the illusion of value.

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 develop craft section 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.

Learn more about the different types of composition through the composition guided notes.

Getting Started

Perspective

Objectives

To understand the mathematical system of perspective in drawing by creating examples of two types - 1 point and 2 point.
To develop visual symbols that have a strong connection to personal experiences, feelings, and meanings.
To create an artwork that has a clear, deliberate message for the viewer.

National Art Standards

Anchor Standard #8: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
Anchor Standard #10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.

Draw from Observation

Boxes in Reality

Choose a work from a Renaissance master and find the vanishing point by following the lines of the floor, ceilings, windows, and walls until they meet and then find the horizon line.

Last Supper Da Vinci

The Annunciation Botticelli

The Ideal City - Urbino della Francesca

Draw with Me!

Linear Perspective in One Point

One Point Boxes

One Point Interior

Key Word: Vanishing Point

One Point Exterior

Key Word: Horizon Line

Instructions

Choice One:

"Inner Me"

Choice Two:

"Fantasy Landscape"

Step One

Thumbnail sketch out ideas for the first section of your "head" - "how you feel."

Step One

Thumbnail sketch out ideas for the first page of your fantasy landscape.

Choice One

"Inner Me"

Trace the profile of your head in silhouette.

Choice One:

"Inner Me"

Choice Two:

"Fantasy Landscape"

Step Two

Draw in the bottom section - "How you feel" onto your head in profile using correct one point perspective.

Step Two

Draw the first scene of your landscape on the final paper using correct one point perspective.

Choice One:

"Inner Me"

Choice Two:

"Fantasy Landscape"

Step Three

Ink over your pencil lines using a Sharpie marker. Add different line hatching techniques to create value and texture.

Step Three

Ink over your pencil lines using a Sharpie marker. Add different line hatching techniques to create value and texture.

Draw with Me!

Linear Perspective in Two Point

Two Point Boxes

Two Point Interior

Key Word: Viewpoint

Two Point Exterior

Key Word: Vantage Point

photo of just 2 point perspective section

2 Point Perspective Section

Repeat Steps 1 - 3 for your chosen piece working on the 2 point perspective section. Begin by drawing thumbnail sketches, then create a line drawing using accurate perspective techniques on the final paper, and then ink it with a sharpie marker.

"Inner Me"

"Fantasy Landscape"

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