Idea Journal Assignment #1:  SIX SOMETHINGS
Due on Monday, March 27th

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Six Houses in the Neighbourhood
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Six Border Collies
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Six Dead Birds
This technical exercise will start during class and will be finished at home. The whole assignment should take approximately 5 – 6 hours to complete, so do a little each night in order to avoid cramming the whole assignment into one night before it’s due!

The goal of this exercise is to learn to LOOK CAREFULLY and to “draw from observation” – that means drawing people or objects “just as we see them”, and with them right in front of us. For this assignment, you may also use photographs from the internet to draw from, as long as they are (1) not comics - real photographs and (2) not an artist's work (don't draw from a painting, drawing, etc.).
 
YOUR TASK:  Create a series of 6 (six) OBSERVATIONAL* coloured pencil drawings of six types of one thing. For example, draw six different frogs. Or six different famous statues. Or six different chocolate bars. Or six of your relatives.

​Each drawing should be fully developed, and a minimum 3” X 3”, which is about the size of the palm of your hand... drawn in your idea journal. They can be on separate pages, or on one page - however you want! Each drawing must be in full colour, and should demonstrate the coloured pencil blending techniques we have been practicing together in class. If you want to start by drawing it lightly with graphite pencil that's okay! Just remember that it will end up being a coloured drawing so don't do any shading with your graphite pencil.
 
* Remember that in order to create an accurate observational drawing, you must LOOK at the thing (either in real life, or on a photograph) while drawing it, paying attention to its proportions, position, colours / values, etc.

In order to record small details, the “thing” you’re drawing should be the same size you’re drawing it  (minimum). The best way to see details is to look at it on a computer screen (large), in a library book, or on a printed page, rather than on your phone.

Observational drawing is the toughest kind of drawing to do – it takes patience, your full attention and TIME – it can’t be rushed. Please do your best to work slowly and in a focused way! 
Six Butterflies

Idea Journal Assignment #2: Dictionary Page - Not Assigned Yet!

  1. In the classroom, select a random page in the dictionary or encyclopedia provided.
  2. Select one that is on that page and glue it down into your idea journal.
  3. Using the page itself to draw/paint/collage on, represent the word you chose, taking up most of that page space.
  4. Write the word that you chose somewhere near the page glued into your sketchbook (so that I know what you focused on)!

Your work must have colour, somewhere in it!

​Idea Journal Assignment #2: Book Cover  - Not Assigned Yet!

Design a front and back cover for the FRC Scribbler.

​This year's theme is "A Splash of Colour" - dealing with diversity, inclusiveness, uniqueness, pride, standing out, and celebrating life.  Your design can be made digitally, or hand made. The design must be visually attractive, interesting, and rendered in detail (no 'sketches' will be accepted).

​Please keep in mind: 
  • ​The cover is a wrap-around cover (you will design both sides)
  • Your design must NOT include any text; leave a space on the front cover for the design team to put the title, and leave space on the back for a poem. The spine must also be left so that text can be inserted.
  • The dimensions of the cover are below. All measurements are in inches. If you would like a piece of paper to work on which is already cut to the exact size you need, see Ms. Knight. 

​Idea Journal Assignment #4: Fake Flyer  - Not Assigned Yet!

Watch this video from The Art Assignment. Artist and musician Nathaniel Russell's work plays with the divide between real and imagined, making posters and flyers for events that may or may not exist.

​I am asking you to make a fake flyer and share it with the world too. 

Your assignment is to...
  1. Make an 8.5 X 11" flyer that gives advice, shares something about your life, or promotes an imagined event. It can be collaged, hand-drawn, made on the computer, or all of the above. Keep in mind that it will be photocopied in black and white (don't spend any time colouring it, please).
  2. Hand it in to me to photocopy (by Tuesday, November 13th). I will give you copies to put out in to the world.
  3. Take at least one good photograph of one of your flyers posted in the real world.

Idea Journal Assignment #5: Surrealist Painting ​ - Not Assigned Yet!

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Dave Macdowell
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Mark Ryden
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Jacub Gagnon
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Naoto Hattori
​This project is intended to help you:
- Come up with a variety of different ideas for art challenges presented in class
- Generate multiple ideas/images for art making from personally relevant/meaningful sources,
   like feelings, memories, imagination, observations, associations, learning in other subject areas,
   cultural traditions, personal responses to current events, social and environmental issues,
   experiences with other artists’ art works, etc.
- Gather visual information (personal photos, found visuals, artists’ works, etc.) to extend ideas.
- Observe carefully while drawing from life / images, pays attention to detail
- Draw people, objects and places with accurate proportions
- Understand the difference between realistic, expressive, and abstract ways of representing
- Finish and refine work until it looks complete and ready to display
- Understand ways that contemporary art reflects peoples’ views, opinions, and experiences
- Understand how artists are influenced by their environments
Remember that surrealism may:
- use oddity, humour or wit
- use the element of surprise
- combine unusual things into one situation
- include realistic elements (real things/people/places etc.) but as a whole, does not seem like a realistic situation
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Pulpo
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Isabel Samaras
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Alex Gross