Welcome to IB Visual Art! I'm excited to have a new, enthusiastic group of young artists. Get used to being called an artist. No matter what your skill level, you will be learning how to work, think and research as artists do. What I love about the IB visual arts program is precisely that. The process is just as important as having a slick art product.
In preparation for August please purchase a hard bound 8 1/2" x 11" (or slightly larger) sketchbook. These are available at Barnes & Noble, Michael's, Hobby Lobby and any online art supply site. I discourage wire bound sketchbooks because these books are to last for 2 years. Often the wire bound pages tear and fall out.
The following is a list of assignments to be completed in the sketchbook (referred to by IB as the Investigation Workbook):
1. Visit at least 2 art exhibits this summer. Take advantage of all the shows on First Fridays in downtown Macon! Write a brief paragraph and do a sketch or two if you like to accompany your impressions of the shows. These should be done in your sketchbook (henceforth known as the Investigation Workbook).
2. Take your Investigation Workbook with you to a coffee shop, library, restaurant, performance...anywhere that you can observe people and things around you and do some very loose, undetailed sketches and doodles about what you see. I am not interested in your artistic skill for this...just your ability to notice the world around you. Try to complete at least 5 pages by the end of the summer done in this way. Next to your sketches, write a sentence or two about where you are and what you notice there. If you are familiar with gesture drawings, these would be perfect for this sort of drawing activity. If you'd like to see examples of gesture drawings, check out this site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRTqpJMs98E
3. Research an artist who has interested you in the past. Write a paragraph or two in your investigation workbook about him or her. Include a photo of a work of his or hers that you really like. 4. Select a favorite meal and draw it in your sketchbook. You may use whatever art medium you choose and make it as detailed as you like. Think of composing this picture on the page. You don't have to include everything in the drawing. Imagine that you are looking through a camera lens to decide what angle, how close in or far away the subject is and what is in focus and what if anything is out of focus. Have fun with this. When you finish, be sure to write a few sentences about the drawing either on that page or on a page next to it.
So...that's it for summer. Please bring these things in on the first day of class.
Have a great summer! If you have questions or concerns email me at
sjamison.Central@bibb.k12.ga.us
Rising Seniors 1. Take this time to research artists with ideas and themes similar to yours. Write about the artists with whom you connect. Include a clipping or photo of work you particularly like and discuss. How does this artist convey his theme and/or ideas? Write about at least 5 artists in your investigation workbook this summer. 2. Make at least 7 drawings and entries discussing and planning ideas for possible artworks for your show. Think about how you might make at least 2 pieces part of a diptych so that they are displayed together as one piece. What mediums do you find most effective for getting your ideas, both visual and verbal, across to your audience?
Please note: these assignments must be turned in on the first day you return to art class. They will count for your first 3 investigation workbook grades (40% of overall grade) and your first 5 studio grades (60% of your overall grade). If you wait until the last day or two prior to returning to complete these, your work will suffer, so try to pace yourself!
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