THE ARTISTS SKETCHBOOK

Each week, students will be assigned a sketchbook drawing as part of their summative performance evaluation for the course. These sketches are considered homework sketches, therefore, students will not be guaranteed time in class to complete them. Ten sketches in total will be evaluated throughout the semester to compose the artist sketchbook. This artist sketchbook will be weighted at 10% of the final mark. Please be sure to follow instructions carefully and adhere to the criteria listed below: I will try my best with each and every sketchbook assignment. I will invest at least 30 minutes of drawing time on each sketch. I will title and date each work on the back of my drawing, IN PENCIL. I will prepare my answers to the reflection questions and record those answers on a separate piece of paper to be assessed. Extra assistance with these sketchbook assignments will be arranged at least one day per week during lunch or after school. Students are encouraged to attend these sessions if they are in need of access to drawing materials.

MY SKETCHBOOK ASSIGNMENTS
1. HOT or COLD?
Due: _____________________________

Still life images are pictures of objects that have been especially arranged by the artist in a purposeful way. You are to select at least three objects and arrange them to create a strong focal point. Using a black pen, create a contour drawing of these objects. Begin with the exterior contours, then add in the interior contour lines. Remember your pen should RARELY leave the paper. Once your contour drawing is complete, select a colour scheme of warm or cool colours to evoke a feeling or mood that fits your drawing. You may use pencil crayon, marker or oil pastels to add colour to your drawing. When you are done, complete the following reflection questions: a. b. How successful were you in creating a smooth contour without lifting your pen off of the page? What could you do next time to make your contour drawing more successful?

2. MONOCHROMATIC MASTERPIECE

Due: _____________________________

For this assignment, you will choose a masterpiece from any art historical era. Your teacher must approve this masterpiece BEFORE you begin your drawing. Using pencil crayon or oil pastels, re-create this masterpiece in a monochromatic colour scheme. When you are done, complete the following reflection questions: a. b. After carefully examining this masterpiece, have your ideas or opinions about it changed? What was the most difficult part of copying this work? What was the least difficult?

3. STILL LIFE

Due: _____________________________

This week, you will be creating a dramatic still life composed of at least 3 of your favourite objects from your childhood. Arrange these objects with a light source to create a sense of drama. Using your graphite pencils, shade these objects dramatically using your nine values from your value scale. Remember, your lighting should help to convey the importance of these objects in your life. When you are done, complete the following reflection questions: a. Do you think your drawing effectively conveyed your love for these objects? Why / why not?

4. OPPOSITES ATTRACT

Due: _____________________________

For this sketchbook assignment, you are to select two objects that have opposite textures (i.e. silky & prickly). Use your drawing pencil to create values and textures that will imitate exactly what you see you are to use direct observation to create this drawing. Arrange the objects to create an interesting composition and create your drawing to effectively use the entire paper. When you are done, complete the following reflection question: a. How has your choice of textures created an interesting image?

5. GO TO YOUR ROOM!

Due: _____________________________

For this task you are to create a room-scape of your bedroom demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of linear perspective. Choose three items in your room that have a special significance for you. Using your treatment of line, create an emphasis on these three objects. Please use pencil when completing this sketchbook assignment. When you are done, complete the following reflection question: a. b. What challenges did you face using perspective? How did perspective help you create a more believable space?

6. TURN IT INSIDE OUT

Due: _____________________________

What does a pocket watch look like on the inside? What is hiding in that secret space? The inside of the things and spaces we have around us all the time are mysterious and enigmatic. For this sketchbook assignment, you will expose the interior of an object or space. If you choose to take something apart to use as a subject, please be sure you have permission to do so. This drawing should clearly communicate the idea of the interior. When you are finished, complete the following reflection questions: a. b. How did you go about communicating the idea of the interior? Do you believe that you were successful in doing so? Why / why not?

7. NOT YOUR AVERAGE LANDSCAPE

Due: _____________________________

For this sketchbook assignment, you will be creating a non-traditional landscape. You may choose to work from direct observation or you may draw from a photograph. Using any materials of your choice (magazine pages, fabric, different types of papers, pen, pencil, marker) create a new interpretation of the landscape you have chosen. This interpretation can be realistic in nature or more abstract; however, the finished work should still be identifiable as a landscape. When you are finished, complete the following reflection question: a. What techniques did you use to go about communicating the idea of the interior?

8. MY BEST FOOT FORWARD

Due: _____________________________

Using at least two techniques you have learned this year, complete a drawing of your feet. Think of specific ideas we have studied e.g. line / value / colour schemes / texture / perspective. Choose those techniques that you feel best represent your artistic strengths. You can use any materials we have used this semester to complete this sketchbook assignment. When you are finished, complete the following reflection questions: a. b. What techniques did you use in your drawing? Why? Comment on your success in putting these techniques together. Were you successful? Why / why not?

9. HUMANIMALS

Due: _____________________________

Since antiquity, humans have believed that they have had some special connection with the animal world, as seen in a variety of cultures from both Europe, Africa, Asia and North & South America. People (particularly in Europe) came to believe that a persons personality was associated with the animal that they looked like. This became to be known as the science of physiognomy. For example, the Roman god Jupiters appearance was believed to be similar to a lion. Jupiter was the King of the Gods, and was very powerful, just as a lion is the king of the animal world. With the development of modern science, the study of physiognomy has been discredited as a hard science, nonetheless, individuals are still fascinated by the intuitive connection between our physical appearance and our personalities. You are to make a humanimal self-portrait based on your understanding of your personality. Make a connection between your personality and animal. To help you think of the humanimal you want to create, consider using your zodiac sign, your year in the Chinese calendar, a culture that has clear associations between the appearance of their gods and animals, pop culture, or symbolic meanings of animals. You may draw or collage images to create this human / animal hybrid. Remember, the idea of this sketch is to create a fluid connection between the animal and human characteristics. When you are done, complete the following reflection question: 1. How does the animal you chose represent your personality / identity?

10. ARTISTS CHOICE

Due: _____________________________

Select a 2-dimensional image that interests you. Be sure to choose an image that is appropriate for the school setting. Using the grid transfer technique studied in class, recreate a scaled version of this image that uses the entire page of your sketchbook. You may finish of the drawing as you wish, either in 9 value shading or in a colour scheme of your choice. When you are done, complete the following reflection question: 1. 2. What significance does this image have to you? What was the most difficult part of this drawing? Why? How did you overcome this difficulty?

11. MAKE-UP SKETCH

Due: _____________________________

This week, students have an opportunity to submit a make-up sketch. This way, if students missed the submission deadline for a particular sketchbook assignment, they have the opportunity to submit the missed assignment for marks. Each student will be permitted to submit only ONE sketch as a make-up. If they miss the deadline for this make-up opportunity, they will receive a mark of incomplete for that particular assignment. *** Students are always encouraged to re-evaluate and improve their work to incorporate teacher feedback on their craftsmanship and technique. There will also be an opportunity at the end of the semester to submit any revisited sketchbook assignments to receive additional marks for these improvements.