Playing with Gradient

Gradient is the seamless transition between values. If you create a smooth gradient, you won’t be able to see any dividing lines between your darker and lighter values. Below is an example of a smooth gradient. It moves gradually from dark to light.

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What I’d like you to do today is to create a line drawing on a piece of paper. This drawing doesn’t have to look like anything at all; it could only be patterns. But make sure that you create a lot of different lines, so that you end up with a lot of different spaces to work with.

An example of a line drawing, with added gradient.

An example of a line drawing, with added gradient.

After you create your line drawing (these are sometimes called “shattered” drawings), you will begin to work with gradient in each of your different shapes or areas. Try to go very smoothly and gently from dark to light in each area. Please remember to use the whole value scale (light to medium to dark), and please remember to use different pencils in order to achieve the best results.

There are many more examples below. Do your own thing and have fun with this assignment!

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Mural, Pattern, and Intention

Pakistani-American artist Anila Quayyum Agha uses light and cast shadow to transform Rice Gallery into a sacred space of her own making that is open to all. “Intersections” is inspired by Agha’s seminal experience of exclusion as a woman from Mosques, a space of community and creativity, while growing up in Pakistan. The wooden frieze emulates a pattern from the Alhambra, a palace where Islamic and Western discourses met and co-existed in harmony, and serves as a metaphor of union. On view September 24 - December 6, 2015. Original score by Mark Walley. Visit www.RiceGallery.org. Learn more about the artist at www.AnilaAgha.com. Learn more about the filmmakers at www.WalleyFilms.com. Film Stills: https://flic.kr/s/aHskncE5x3

Juxtaposition in Graphic Design

Juxtaposition is defined as: the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. Another way of saying this is: juxtaposition is the placement of two dissimilar things together to create a sense of contrast, or to make a point. Sometimes juxtaposition is humorous and light:

And sometimes, juxtaposition can be used to make a very strong point. Juxtaposition is often employed effectively in graphic design to speak to the heart of specific social issues in a way that text alone cannot.  

 

 

 

Critique a Master

"Morning Commuters after Snow" by Kazuya Akimoto

"Morning Commuters after Snow" by Kazuya Akimoto

Study this image, and then write three sentences using at least three vocabulary words. What types of color do you see? What type of composition/space is shown? What mood or feeling do you get from the piece? What aspects of the painting give you this feeling?

 

Complete your response by clicking this link.

Contour Drawing

Contour drawing, is an artistic technique used in the field of art in which the artist sketches the contour of a subject by drawing lines that result in a drawing that is essentially an outline; the French word contour meaning, “outline.”

A blind contour drawing by Pablo Picasso:

Practice with these images!

What Pencil Should You Use?

Our pencils range from 3H to 6B. H stands for "Hardness" and B stands for "Blackness." 3H is the hardest pencil we have and therefore the lightest shade. 6B is the blackest pencil we have and therefore the darkest shade. Be intentional about your choice of pencils to create the full value scale in your portrait.

Remember to think in terms of value! This portrait has six distinct values. Where are your highlights, shadows, and mid-tones?