Visual Journals: An Introduction

The visual journal is way for you to express your ideas, your jokes, your interests, your concerns, your life in a visual way. Every four weeks, you will need to complete three assignments in the order they are given on the sheet below. The rules are simple:

1) Respond to each word/phrase creatively, artistically and personally.
2) Avoid clichés and easy solutions. Avoid the first answer that comes to mind, (it's usually what everyone else will think of too. Consider what this word means to you, metaphorically, not literally.
3) Don't use the same media combination more than twice! (Media is the art material you use in your artwork. Experiment with different combinations of each. Try out media we experiment with in class!

The journals will be graded based upon four things:
1) Creativity-your ability to solve the problem in a unique way.
2) Design-your ability to consider the composition of the entire page.
3) Media Skills-your ability to experiment, practice, and refine your use of a variety of art materials.
4) Presentation-your ability to be neat, clean, careful, and show an investment of time in each entry.

Click on the slideshow to the right to see examples of visual journal entries we looked at in class, and also see how students solved problems in unique and creative ways.

Below is a list of the assignments and due dates. Please refer to this often in case you forget or lose your assignment sheet!

Art 1 Visual Journal Entries (08-09) - Upload a Document to Scribd

Sketchbook #2: Super-size Me!

Find a small object (should fit inside your hand) and do a close up drawing of it. Your drawing should be zoomed in to capture the object at least 5 times larger than it actually is. Create an interesting composition (size, angle, placement). Your drawing should go off/touch at least two edges of the page. Your drawing should show a full range of values (shading) to illustrate the light and shadows you see.


**For a challenge: Capture reflections and shadows. Consider using more than one of your object or a very complex object.

Classwork #1: Block Drawings

Mr. La Londe's drawing in progress
Mr.English's final drawing

To begin the year, we will learn how to set up a simple block still-life, use a viewfinder and our sketchbooks to create small "thumbnail" compositions, and then choose a final composition to complete our charcoal drawings.

Below is the grading rubric for our block drawing assignment in class. Today, will be the last full period to work on these drawings, and next class (Monday, Sept. 15th) we will have our class critique. The drawings will be due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, Sept.17th.

Block Drawings assessment - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Block Drawings assessment

Homework #2: "Spoon in Water"

Drawing by Todd Ford

Find an interesting clear drinking glass. Fill it about half way with water. Place a metal spoon in the glass of water. Carefully observe what you see. Create a drawing that captures what you see in an interesting way. Show a variety of line quality. Consider an interesting angle, and have your drawing take up the space on the page. Add value (shading) to your drawing.

Your drawing will be graded on the following:
1) Uses the entire page, (touches at least two edges of the page)
2) Shows evidence of being drawn from life (don't make it up!)
3) Uses a variety of line quality (remember the artist's styles we looked at in class)
4) Demonstrates at least an hour of observed study. (Take your time and do your best!)
5) Show shading of different values that you see. (Include shadows and reflections!)

I will not accept drawings that are not in a sketchbook!


**For a challenge: Capture reflections and shadows.