Enough Sketchbook Assignments to Last a Year (well at least this quarter)

This is the official blog and site for all things ART at HCA. You may find information in previous posts that can help you this year. I will try to update it on a regular basis and will also try to provide videos and or pictures to help you.

You are responsible for purchasing a sketchbook that will be used for this year's class. Sketchbooks should be somewhere around 8.5x11 (ish). It may not have lined pages.

Sketchbooks are very personal. They are a record of your creative genius! You do not have to spend a lot of money on a good sketchbook; one of our local $ stores has two great styles to choose from...

You are responsible for completing SIX sketchbook assignments for QUARTER ONE. The quarter finishes on November 4th, so as long as you plan out your time, you will be able to not only complete them, but complete them well!

Sketchbooks will be formally assessed twice during the quarter. This should allow students to work at their own pace while making sure that they are completed on time.

DUE DATE ONE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 21st
I will check the first three assignments. You will fill in a self-assessment rubrifc of your work and I will use the same rubric to complete the teacher assessment.

For this first check, I will allow you to re-do ONE assignment should it be of very low quality (you rushed, left til the last minute, are unhappy with the results)

These assignments are worth approximately 12 points each so please put in your best effort. Keep in mind the following as you do the assignments:

Think about your drawing as you plan it…Try to vary the way you use the elements of art:

line,    shape,    form,    space,    value,    color,     texture

 

Tips: 

• Use the entire page…do not draw little in the middle.  Think about the point of view (bird's eye, ground looking up, to the side) and try not to allow yourself to stay within the normal, "landscape" view.  Pretend you are a photographer trying to set up an interesting shot; it is a good way to have a stronger composition.

• Draw what you SEE, not what you THINK something is supposed to look like. In real life, trees do not look like stalks of broccoli or bunches of cauliflower and houses are much more interesting than a square with a triangle on top. So...don't draw them like that...

• You may use colour or pencil. Shading plays a part in both of these tools. This is very important as it helps add depth to your work.

Here is the list of sketchbook assignments to choose from. You may do one extra assignment for extra credit.. This is not mandatory and it is not worth rushing other assignments in order to complete an extra one. Your mark will end up being the same if not lower...



THE LIST

1.  Create a drawing or painting of your neighborhood; capture the essence of the place and the people you see and what makes your neighborhood unique. This may be presented in any way you would like; you do not have to limit yourself to a panoramic/landscape scene.

2. Create a storyboard for an animation with a minimum of ten frames. This could be for an animated tv show or for a video game.  You may not copy published work, however, you may use shows and games that exist.

3.Create a work that captures an unusual interior – for example, look in a cabinet or refrigerator or car.  Include as many details as you can. Be sure to attempt to show depth in your piece.

4. Create a new design for your favourite CD. I know...you don't buy CDs, you download from ITunes (or equivalent)...Artwork is still a key component!  You can refer to photos when designing this but don’t copy someone else’s work.  Think of something that shows how the music affects you.  

5. Draw part of any object (Mystery Draw).  Can you trick me?  If you draw it well and you do trick me then I will give you bonus points.  The object has to be a real one…One that I would know. It must be a specific item rather than a general one. Example: If you drew the curve of a circle and then said it was a wheel or a CD or part of the letter "O" you are being much too general. 

6. Snack food with a wrapper.  Spill a bag of chips, take a bite of a candy bar, or peel a banana. Create a drawing that fills the page that is inspired by your snack food. Use your imagination when deciding how to represent your item.

7. Use a pair of scissors as a beginning point, creatively transform the scissors into something else- a monster, a robot, a machine, a vehicle, an animal. Change its scale & it purpose.

8. Draw a crushed soda can, include details like the logo. Render with full shading.

9. Create a new object by combining 2 unrelated objects-one needs to be from nature, the other needs to be mechanical. Use colour and shading; coloured pencil is recommended.

10. Your choice! Draw anything you like...colour and or pencil shading is still expected.