Interested in Private Lessons?

Since I am getting inquiries about private lessons, I have decided to consider it. If you are interested, please contact me at carol@carolynwhitman.com and we can chat. I will only consider serious students who are at least a mature 16 years or older.

Watercolor: Student Work from Feb. 1 Part II

Here are some examples of small watercolors done as homework assignments. Students were asked to use an intense complementary palette in one, and a muted complementary palette in another. These represent just a few of images.....

Pam Hacker

Susie Copley

Laura Arbogast

Carol Connaughton

Carol Connaughton

Bob Brooks

Carolyn Greer

Dot Stiles

Dot Stiles

Watercolor: Student Work from Feb. 1 Part I

Students were asked to choose a section of a watercolor painting to copy. They tried to determine how the artist mixed and applied his/her pigments. Sargent and Homer were recommended

Laura Arbogast
Copy sketch of a Sargent watercolor

Heather Felts
Copy of Wyeth watercolor

Bob Brooks
Copy of Sargent watercolor

Carol Connaughton
Copy of Sargent watercolor

Class cancelled Feb. 6, 2008--Drawing I

I hate to do it, but I'm feeling poorly. But, the show must go on, and here are your assignments, all due Monday, Feb. 11, 2008:

In lieu of class today, it is IMPORTANT that you complete the following so you will be prepared for class Monday:
I have mentioned the upcoming exhibit about The Scarlet Letter to you. If you have never read the book, take a look at a brief synopsis by visiting www.sparknotes.com/lit/scarlet/ Our project for next week will center around contemporary views of the themes explored in the book, so having at least a basic knowledge of the text is important. Read the summary, and take a look at the section on themes and motifs. Think about how these might apply to society today.
Between now and Monday, collect the following items:
newspaper clippings, especially pictures
symbols of the letter A (for example; in the book The Scarlet Letter, A stands for Adultery, but today it could also stand for Abortion
Any other visual symbols of the themes, motifs or symbols in the book (There is a section about this in the website listed above)
Threads, ribbons or pearls you could collage into your work.
Next week will be fun and creative, but it's success hinges upon your research and collection of the above items.

As for drawing, here's your assignment:

Drawing I: Contour line Assignment

A contour is the visible border of an object in space. In this assignment, you will create a sense of depth through line variation. Warning: absolutely no shading!

Supplies: Ink pen (such as a Sharpie ultra fine point), white drawing paper (18x24 inches –2 sheets), a piece (or pieces) of fruit or vegetable for your still life. Note: you can use a nib/stylus or a bamboo pen* with bottled ink instead of an ink pen.

Step 1: Choose one or two pieces of fruit or vegetable to draw. Look for items that have an interesting edges or texture---this will make your drawing more interesting. Some suggestions include green peppers, melons, whole pineapple, cabbage, etc.
Step 2: Place one sheet of white paper on a flat surface to serve as a background for your still life. Cut, tear or partially eat your still life and then arrange it on the white paper.
Step 3: Take a look at your light source. The best light is a singe light source coming from above and to one side.
Step 4: In your sketchbook, draw several different compositions. Do this quickly, allowing only a minute or two for each small postcard size (or smaller) sketch.
Step 5: Choose one of your sketches and create a small (postcard size or smaller) positive/negative version of it. Take a look and ask yourself the following:
*Is the negative space interesting?
*Is there significantly more negative space than positive space?
*Are there any adjustments I can make to create a more interesting composition?
Step 6:Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you are satisfied with your composition.
Step 7: You may lightly draw your composition in pencil on the 18x24” sheet of paper. You will be drawing large---fill the entire 18x24” sheet of paper. This may mean you are increasing the scale of your still life dramatically, but will allow you to show a lot of detail. Eventually, you’ll want to work toward drawing directly in ink, but at this point using pencil is okay. Keep your paper as clean as possible though. No messy lines or messy erasing.
Step 8: Once you’ve completed your pencil underdrawing, begin to ink it in. Focus on line variation---make your line descriptive, but also focus on the beauty of the line. Vary the amount of pressure placed on the pen to create lines that are more interesting. Allow some lines to disappear and then find them again. The viewer’s eye will connect the missing edges.

An example: (reprinted from Drawing Basics by Jacklyn St. Aubyn, Harcourt Brace). More examples on Blackboard.

* If you’ve never used a bamboo pen before, note that you need to let the tip sit in the ink for about ten minutes or so before drawing. This allows it to absorb and hold in more readily.

Drawing I----Contour Line

Monday's Class: Contour line.
Students were asked to describe the visible border of an object in space by varying the width and pressure on the line, and investigating lost and found edges.

Malinda

Nicole

Janna

Yll

Watercolor Agenda Feb. 1

ART 244 Watercolor Whitman
Class Agenda for Friday, Feb 1, 2008


9:30---10:15am: Meet in Overcash 151/call roll
Reminders: League for Innovation Competition flyer

Get started on assignment; turn in homework ( I will return these next week---with written comments) Please fill out a critique paper and place your work in my portfolio (on my table in 151).

10:30-11:30: Optional: Demo/Lecture on drawing basics. I’ll do this in Room 154 (Drawing Studio). You may work on your assignment, or attend this demo/lecture. Click here for a printable version of the lecture

11:30am---12:30pm: Lunch Break

After Lunch: Continue working on your assignment. If you complete one project; be prepared to start another one.



I realize that it’s a long day when critiques end at 3:30! So, I do not plan to begin critiques so late in the future. I do ask that you work until about 2:30; the last hour will be reserved for individual critiques as requested.

Next week: Abstraction: How To


Homework assignment Due next Friday Feb. 8

Again, there is no substitute for experience!! For this homework assignment, you’ll do a minimum of three (yes----3) small paintings, approximately postcard size, though you may work larger if you wish. Because these are so small they should take about 30 minutes to do each one. Some perhaps a little more, some a little less. Subject matter is up to you (except for #3---see below), but it should be fairly realistic….consider using still life as your subject matter, but whatever you choose, be sure you create an interesting composition, and try to incorporate some techniques learned in class. Be conscious of soft and hard edges, and creating the illusion of depth.

First painting: Use a cool palette.
Second painting: Use a warm palette
Third Painting: Find a watercolor image you really like and reproduce a section of it….it may be too time-consuming to complete a total copy; plus, you will be working rather small. You may work larger if you feel it’s necessary. So, choose a section that is representative of what you want to learn rather than the whole image. Try to figure out how the artist selected and mixed his/her colors. If you’re looking for artists….take a look at watercolors by John Singer Sargent, or Winslow Homer…….and bring the image with you for the next class---I want to see it. You'll be turning these in just as you did this week.



I'll scan and post some images asap. Ya'll are a great class!

Now, here's a little eye candy; you've earned it!


This is a lovely limited palette watercolor by Mondrian.....yes, Mondrian!

Gallery Reception today --- Jan. 30

A closing reception for the Faculty Exhibit in Ross Gallery today---4-6pm. See you there!