Mr. Bennett's Art Blog

Foundations Homework #1
Due Date: September 10th
Gesture drawings

Assignment:
As you see on the back, you will be making quick gesture movements with your pencil, pen, or other medium to create a drawing. Concentrate on the contour (outside lines of the person) and then work inside. We are not showing great depth or detail as in shading but work the shapes and let your mistakes show. When you finish darken up certain areas to show contrast of lines.

Gestures are quick and should demonstrate your ability to draw from observation. When you get comfortable drawing from observation, art becomes more fun and easier.

Parent signature_____________________
Time documented on each:

Gesture #1:

Gesture #2:

Gesture #3:

Gesture #4:

Drawing Class
Sketchbook homework

Rubric or how it will be graded.

Students will be expected to draw in their sketchbooks during the year. These exercises are to help student skills grow and blossom above and beyond expectations.
Each student will be expected to complete drawings every 2 weeks in their sketchbook.

a. Visual information: the amount of detail, use of the elements of art, and the use of the principles of design (refer to handout).
b. ¾ positive space: fill up the drawing field with positive space or value.
c. Value: use of high light, shadow, shading, cast shadow, contrast, and amount of values.
d. Completion date: full credit will be considered if work is turned in on time. Note – the more days you miss the more points you will lose.

If students meet A thru c and have 6 full drawings they will receive an A or A+.
Meet a thru C with 5 drawings = B+ or A-
Meet A thru C with 4 Drawings = C.
Meet a thru c with 3 drawings = D
Anything below this is a zero orF.

Note: instructor will use his artistic judgment when grading A thru C. To receive full credit make sure you put forth at least an hour or more on the drawings.

Sketchbook Ideas

1. Draw the inside of your closet
2. Draw the contents of your desk drawer
3. Just before your room is cleaned, draw it
4. Draw the contents of your refrigerator
5. Draw the contents of your medicine chest
6. Draw the contents of your garage
7. Draw your dad’s work table after he’s worked on a project
8. Before the dishes are washed, draw them
9. Draw a pile of laundry waiting to get washed
10. If you have an octopus for a furnace, draw it
11. Draw a pile of bicycles on the sidewalk
12. Draw the guests at your parents dinner party
13. Draw yourself in a mirror
14. Draw your brother/sister practicing his/her instrument
15. Draw your friend shooting hoops in the driveway
16. Draw yourself painting your toenails (if you do)
17. Draw your hand in multiple positions
18. Draw your hand holding a variety of objects
19. Draw your hand against other parts of anatomy (chin, knee, etc.)
20. Draw your bird, cat, dog, fish, snake, leopard, lobster doing something strange
21. Draw what is in the rear-view mirror of your car
22. Draw a dead bird in a beautiful landscape
23. Draw a flower growing next to a turned over garbage can
24. Draw raw chicken parts; cooked parts; after eaten parts
25. Draw a piece of cake and make it look delicious
26. Draw 2 eggs in the shell, fried, over easy
27. Draw one popcorn kernel, draw a bag of popcorn
28. Draw a raw steak, steak bones
29. Draw moving water, still water
30. Draw a wet object, make it look wet
31. Draw an object when looking through a tube (microscope)
32. Draw an object seen through glass (how does the glass make a difference)
33. Draw something floating
34. Draw a dark object in a light environment
35. Draw a dark object in a dark environment
36. Draw the contents of a light room when sitting in a dark room
37. Climb a ladder, draw what is below
38. Climb a mountain (hill), draw what is below
39. Lie on the floor, draw what is eye level
40. Dig a hole, put a whole in the hole, draw what is in the hole
41. Fill in the hole, cover up the whole, draw the covered hole
42. Find a quiet place in a crowd, draw the crowd
43. Find a quiet place, draw the quiet
44. Find a noisy place, draw noise
45. On the school bus, draw your friends on the way to school, draw your friends on the way home. Is there a difference?
46. Shine a light through an open weave structure, draw the cast shadow
47. Draw an object that is lit by the light coming through mini blinds
48. Draw a portrait that is lit by the light coming through mini blinds
49. Draw an object that is lit by a candle
50. Draw a figure that is lit by a candle
51. Draw your sister/brother by the light cast by the TV or computer screen
52. Draw your father/mother by the light cast from the TV or computer screen
53. Draw an apple, pear, banana
54. Draw an apple, banana, and a wrench
55. Draw a scoop of ice cream and an old shoe
56. Draw an apple, a vacation photo, a hammer and a gold fish
57. Tighten a C clamp on a banana, draw it
58. Draw an apple, pear, and a banana that is tightly wrapped in aluminum foil, plastic wrap
59. Draw an apple, pear, and a banana that is tightly wrapped in string
60. Copy the Mona Lisa
61. Rearrange the Mona Lisa to suit yourself
62. Rearrange the Mona Lisa to suit your art teacher
63. Put Mona Lisa in a contemporary setting
64. Copy any work of art older than you
65. Remake the above work of art in your way
66. Make a drawing that says something about the environment
67. Make a drawing that says something about the world situation
68. Make a drawing that is pure propaganda about any issue you feel strongly about
69. Make a drawing that is totally truthful
70. Make a drawing that lies all over the place
71. Make a drawing that is completely impossible
72. Draw a portrait inside out
73. Draw an apple, pear, banana inside out
74. Look out your bedroom window, draw what you see
75. Look out your bedroom window, draw what you would like to see
76. Draw an apple, pear, banana that is wrapped in an apple, pear, banana
77. Draw a form fitting case made of steel that would fit an apple, pear, banana
78. Draw two squares of a sidewalk and make it look interesting
79. Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of grass
80. Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of hair
81. Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of a feather
82. Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of a dollar bill
83. Make a drawing of grass, hair, feathers and a dollar bill
84. Draw an insect under a magnifying glass
85. Rearrange, redesign the insect
86. Change the size relationship (scale) of the insect and something else (i.e. building, ships, cars)
87. Draw a portrait of your best friend as an insect
88. Draw a self portrait of you as a beautiful insect
89. Draw a family insect portrait
90. Copy Copley’s Watson and Shark
91. Change the figures depicted in the Copley painting to people you know
92. Rearrange Copley’s painting Watson and the Shark to work on dry land
93. Crumple a magazine ad, draw it
94. Crumple a photograph, draw it
95. Crumple a drawing, redraw it crumpled
96. Cut out a photo into small pieces, rearrange the photo in some other order, draw it
97. Make a drawing that looks sticky
98. Make a drawing that oozes
99. Make a drawing of a mechanical structure or machine
100. Make a drawing of a machine that oozes
101. Make a drawing of a machine so that the parts are sticky
102. Make a drawing of a fine mechanical instrument (camera) under water (use your imagination)
103. Draw the Brooklyn Bridge
104. Draw the Brooklyn Bridge over a small body of water i.e. bathtub
105. Draw a form fitted case made of wood and lined with velvet for an apple, pear, and a banana
106. Draw a chair
107. Draw the concept of the uses of a chair (sitting) without the chair
108. Draw a bed
109. Draw the concept of the uses of a bed without a bed without the bed
110. Make a drawing that illustrates the phrase “I have come to a juncture in my life”
111. Make a drawing that illustrates the phrase “There is an insufficiency of intellect”
112. Make a careful drawing that illustrates the word “Haste”
113. Draw the imaginary skeleton of an apple, pear, and banana
114. Draw a monument for a bagel
115. Draw a photograph of an apple, pear, and banana at an angle tilted away from you
116. Draw a portrait of you and your friends as cards; the queen, king, and jack of spades
117. Draw a slice of the best pizza you have ever seen
118. Make a drawing of all your drawing materials
119. Make a detailed drawing of a rock
120. Make a drawing at McDonalds
121. Draw the reflection from light bouncing off a motorcycle
122. Draw your portrait from the reflection of a shiny chrome object i.e. toaster, bowl, spoon
123. Draw the reflection from a body of water
124. Draw the reflection from a store window
125. Draw the reflection of reflection
126. Reflect on your drawing of reflection, draw your retrospection
127. Draw an aerial view of your back yard
128. Draw a transparent object
129. Draw a translucent object
130. Draw a translucent object that is inside a transparent object
131. Draw a translucent apple, pear, and banana
132. Draw a building in which you would like to live
133. Make a drawing using a map of the USA as a motif
134. Make a portrait of yourself as you see yourself in twenty years
135. Make a pastoral drawing
136. Draw life in the city
137. Draw a mysterious doorway or staircase
138. Drape a mysterious object in cloth, draw it
139. Draw a moving object
140. Draw an empty room, make it interesting
141. Draw a woman wearing a big hat
142. Draw a masked man (not a super hero)
143. Draw a sleeping person
144. Draw a flower, make it appear dangerous
145. Draw a person looking out a window
146. Draw a person looking in a window
147. Draw a person reading a letter
148. Draw an apple, pear, and banana in outer space
149. Draw a detailed drawing of a nut and bolt

The Ten Commandments Of The Art Room

10. Thou shall remain silent during instruction and listen to thy Lord Bennett’s word.
9. Thou shall always pay art fees and often give an offering to thy Lord Bennett, as a token of gratitude of his awesome power.
8. Thou shall always inform Lord Bennett of thy whereabouts.
7. Thou shall not desecrate art materials or maim artwork.
6. Thou shall not covet thy classmate’s art.
5. Thou shall not fear to ask for mighty Lord Bennett’s awesome immeasurable assistance.
4. Thou shall share the room of darkness.
3. Thou shall not whine or make excuses but grovel before Lord Bennett and do exactly as he bids.
2. Thou shall not bow before any teacher but thy Lord Bennett.
1. Thou shall not use Chuckie’s name in vain.

Golden rule
No Making out in the Dark Room!
These above are fun but relate to my expectations of each student in each of my classes. (contact: heath.bennett@logan-elm.k12.oh.us)
10. Be respectful while instruction is taking place in the classroom. Stay in your seat, keep quiet, and be attentive.
9. If you plan on joining the Art Club or become a member of the National Art Honor Society you will need to pay your dues on time. You will also be expected, as a member of either one, accrue points by participating in community service projects or have your membership revoked. The actual numbers and meetings will be announced in September.
8. If you plan on taking a R/R break you must ask and get permission. If you need to go to the library or get a drink you will need to get permission. Unless you have permission to see another teacher during my class do not even ask.
7. It is a major violation in this room to destroy any art material or artwork. It will not be tolerated and the consequences will be extremely strong.
6. I am very big on looking at other artworks to get great ideas, but our goal should be to put some personal emotion to your work. The work you do should carry some weight and make a statement. I will be giving issues at time for you to work with and I expect a great deal of personal creativity. No plagiarism!
5. I cannot help you if you don’t understand a project, homework, or how to use a medium. You must ask questions and not be afraid to do so. At times you may have to open your mouth instead of raising your hand.
4. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. If we can leave others around us better than when we found them then we will all be better human beings.
3. Each student is expected to complete the work assigned and not pass the buck but take full responsibility for each action (positive or negative). I expect a sense of pride to be taken with the work you do in and out of the art room. There is a sense of pride that goes with being an art student here at Logan Elm and I expect each student to live up to that expectation.
2. Each student will be respected as an adult in and out of the art room until there is a reason not to. For example, if anyone wants respect you must first learn to give it. A student’s elder, regardless, should be treated with the utmost respect. The instructor will always reciprocate that same respect unless the pact is broken. Each student will be expected to meet each and every deadline set for homework and projects. There will ultimately be consequences if you fail to meet a deadline (most of the time it will be points deducted; if it is habitual then a call to your parents will occur).
1. I do not appreciate foul language used in my room. It is asked that students, young adults, use their education to find betters ways to express their frustrations. We are emotional people and the expression of these is permitted within certain boundaries. The instructor will deal with continued breaking of this rule harshly.

Other Miscellaneous Responsibilities

1. You must have a sketchbook. The only class that doesn’t need one is photography. I am giving students 4 days to get one then I will begin deducted a point from their grade daily.
2. Bring proper material to class everyday.
3. I am asking all students to begin making a swipe folder this year. You will be required to have one the first week of class (we will discuss further in class).
4. Cell phones are not permitted in class. Please don’t make me take yours for the day.
5. Please clean up any and all messes you make. If you have to stay over a few minutes I will write you a pass to your next class.
6. If you are going to be late to my class please bring a pass.

(Print this page off and turn it in by August 31st)

I ____________________________________________________ have read the above rules and expectations of the art room. I agree to abide by and follow the rules and expectations to the best of my ability throughout the year.
Please understand by signing this paper you are now accountable for your actions whether positive or negative. All consequences will be to the discretion of the instructor. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me (see above).

(Student signature) ________________________________________________ (date) _____________________

(Parent signature) ________________________________________________ (date) ______________________

Foundations
Homework #14
Due May 7th

Assignment:
I want each of you to take your favorite fruit of vegetable (now it must be fresh) and cut in two equal sections. You are charged with drawing it larger than life showing the intricate details. Some ideas for this may be to arrange the two pieces opposite each other (outside of one and the inside view of the other). You may also may want to wait awhile and let it stand so that it changes its appearance.
Look at close up works of Georgia O’Keeffe for what I want!

Criteria:
1. 2 or more hours journal time
2. Chiaroscuro properly to my liking
3. Large enough so that it looks like we are looking at it thru a magnifying glass
4. Both pieces in the drawing
5. Make sure you put in the cast shadow
6. Have fun
Rubric:
15 Pts Proper chiaroscuro showing value changes and contrast with major emphasis with hard light source.
15 Pts ¾ to full page showing proper scale of background to foreground.
15 Pts Should have 2 proper pieces of fruit showing the outside and inside view.
5 Pts Turn the homework in on time.

Time _______

Parent signature ___________________

FOUNDATIONS HOMEWORK #13
DUE DATE April 30

Students will draw a piece of popped popcorn looking to draw the shape as it looks and to exaggerate the dark and lights creating proper chiaroscuro. Each of you should have at least spent an hour of drawing time on the piece.

The following rubric will be used to grade your work:

Look at the object being drawn and draw all visual information.
Use ¾ positive space and work the negative space (the space behind the object).
Use value in the drawing. Have a highlight, cast shadow and shading.

Possible points

1. Visual information 1-15
a. Amount of detail, use of shape, texture, line

2. ¾ Positive Space 1-15
a. Fill up the drawing field with positive space or value, work with negative space.

3. Values 1-15
b. Use of high light, shadow, shades, cast shadow, contrast, amount of values

4. Completion Date 1-5
a. Number of class days late. 5 points reduction each class day.

Parent Signature ____________________ Date ________
Time recorded :

Foundations Homework #12
Due April 23rd

This is going to take some time! Each of you are to work on the technique described in class, Mircrography. This is the technique of using words as your shadows, but you must work with the shape of object in order to make it appear 3 Dimensional. So, each of you will be working with a portrait that you may want to do the final (your option). It must be expressive and each of you will work with various pencil pressure to demonstrate the varied shades that will be present in your reference photograph. Note, that each of you will need to have a reference photograph and you must bring it with you each day. This homework must be done anyway, so if you don’t do it this week you will have to do prior to starting the final with ink in class. SO DO IT NOW AND GET STARTED QUICKER IN CLASS! J

Parent signature __________________________________________
Time at least 2 or more hours ___________________________
Keep in mind the rubric!

Foundations Homework #10
Due April 16th

Assignment:

For some artists, philosophy, literature and art itself is a source of inspiration. Drawing can provide a way of exploring concepts, bouncing thoughts around and expressing feelings that are difficult to put in words. Traditional art forms often used allegorical figures and dramatic gesture, realistically painted, to express these ideas. Modern artists often use abstract means to express very similar thoughts. Consider some of these approaches:
Pick 2 from the list below and do them on separate pages. If you choose to do more it will count as extra credit.
· Experiment with mark making. Do patches of scribbles and squiggles. Try aggressive, angry marks, smooth flowing ones, and regular ordered marks. Make a complete composition with this one. Don’t get just bent on making the marks just to make them. Have a purpose and attempt to place a word of emotion into the work (you may want to hide it).
· Use text as a design component. Use a poem you’ve written, or print one out, and create a collage based on it. Add some things you have drawn as well.
· Illustrate a favorite text. How do you envision the scene or the characters? What atmosphere has the author created?
· Respond to a text by actually illustrating it. How does it make you feel? Create a cover to a children’s book for example and so on.
· · Start off with a photocopy of a realist image, and deface it. Tear the surface with tape; add layers of texture with restoration paper, thick pencil, and collage. Make this a masterpiece that expresses something about you.
· · Re-interpret some famous images. How would you have painted the Death of Socrates or some other famous painting?
· · Look at Anselm Keifer, Paul Klee, Jasper Johns, Tom Roberts, and create a piece of your own based on your experiences or an emotion your having right now.

Criteria:

1. Two hours at least on this work.
2. Keep in mind the design of art, elements and principles.
3. Work large and experiment with various mediums.
4. You must do at least 2 of these ideas in your sketchbook.
5. They must be AWESOME!
6. Good luck and have lots of fun!

Foundations Homework #9

Due April 9th: Make sure you take your time!

This is all about values using dots (stippling or pointillism)!
Assignment:

· Students will create a stippling drawing of any 1 to 2 random objects they desire. Hint it is called still life….no images from magazines.
· Each will have around 2-3 hours total.
· You must get your own pen … ballpoint pen like Bic roller fine.
· Chiaroscuro to my liking…meaning quality shadows. Use a light source to exaggerate the lights and darks.
· Make every opportunity to overlap the items you choose.

Stippling:
1. To paint, engrave, or draw by means of dots or small touches.
–Noun also, stippling.
2. The method of painting, engraving, etc., by stippling.
3. stippled work; a painting, engraving, or the like, executed by means of dots or small spots.

Parent signature________________________
Time_____________
Remember the Rubric:
Craftsmanship
¾ Paper used
Use of Elements and Principles
Completed on time

Foundations Homework #8
Due Saturday March 27th
Project:

Students will be working with reflections. Your assignment is to draw yourself in a reflective object. The image will be very distorted and very exaggerated with value and contrast. You are to draw the object, the image, and the hand holding it; if you are holding an object.
PROPER OBJECTS: CHROME POT, SPOON, CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT, CHROME CAR BUMER, WATER, OR CD
IMPROPER OBJECTS: MIRRORS OF ANY SORT.

Criteria:

· Proper chiaroscuro. Shading is a must!
· Contrasts and focal point.
· Objects to draw – spoon, pot, Christmas bulb, any chrome object.
· Use ¾ of page.
· Use space by showing the distance between the object and background with value or texture.
· Spend 2 or more hours on this piece.
· Have fun!

Parent signature________________
Time_______________
Rubric
A. VISUAL INFORMATION 1-15
amount of detail, use of shape,
texture,line

B. 3/4 POSITIVE SPACE 1-15
fill up the drawing field with
positive space or value

C. VALUE 1-15
use of high light, shadow,
shade, shading, cast shadow,
contrast, amount of values.

D. COMPLETION DATE 1-5
number of class days late.
5 point reduction if late.

Foundations Homework #7
Due March 19th

Find a line of poetry, passage from a book, or song lyric that you can relate to. Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and it would be wise to do so), is to illustrate your selected line, passage, or lyric in your sketchbook. You may choose to use color or black and white, but I suggest you work hard on this assignment. This is a great opportunity to use your imagination.

· Your drawing must look three-dimensional
· Your drawing must use chiroschiro (dramatic lighting- I should be able to tell where the light is coming from in your drawing)
· Your drawing must take up the entire sketchbook page
· You must have a copy of your passage, line, or lyric either pasted in or written in your sketchbook
· You must be able to explain to me how your picture relates to your passage.
· You must spend 1-2 hours on this assignment and have a parent signature.

Parent signature ___________________________

Time Spent ______________________

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;
All the King’s horses, and all the King’s men
Could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.