*To sketch or not to sketch?
Great little discussion at CORE 77 (wonderful design site).
*Drawing From A Photograph...
The Debate of Historical Precedent.
IN CLASS: VALUE
Value Discussion
Illustrator (New Tools Listed Below)
STUDIO: Grey Scales in graphite
Homework: Grey Scales; Value Translation
HOMEWORK:
*Finish in-class Grey Scales
*Finish Value Translation & Grey Scale.
Grey Scales:
Materials: Pencils, tape, bristol
Overview: Create two value studies/grey scales on tape-framed bristol utilizing your full range of pencils. You will explore two techniques in particular: accumulation and blending.
Illustration 1. Grey ScalesCreate Grey Scales.
Your grey scales should be composed of gradual/even steps between greys using either accumulation or blending.
Start with the blending...this will set the tone for the second (accumulation) grey scale. Once the blending is finished, the goal is to make the accumulation grey scale your unique statement. If lines are objects, and the principle of accumulation reliess on the AMOUNT of lines/objects to determine value - then why not create your own UNIQUE shapes. The more lines = darker, less slines = lighter. Have fun with it!
Accumulation: Literally you are accumulating/adding marks (dark) and thereby reducing the amount of white (background). The amount of marks determines value.
Blending: When you blend your material (in this case pencil) you are smoothing out the overall tone of your mark and getting rid of line. There are a few tricks to this: wear down the point of your pencil (in sketchbook or on fine sand paper) to create a blunt end (easier to blend), purchase blending stumps at your local art store (tightly rolled pieces of paper made to blend pencil), use your fingers to smudge the graphite, or tightly twist a piece of paper towel - then fold it in half making your own pointed blending stump!
Illustration 2. Accumulation
Illustration 3. Student Example (ink - we're using pencil)
Illustration 4. Student Example (pencil)
VALUE TRANSLATION:
Overview: You will each choose an existing advertisement (any product from online, newspaper, or magazine); Map the composition by deconstructing the image, then recreate/translate this image image into a new grey scale version (approximately 8.5" x 11") using illustrator or conventional collage techniques (paper/glue). Print on photo paper (Illustrator), center and fix on sheet of bristol.
1). Choose ad. When choosing an advertisement to work with pay attention to the quality of the image (obviously some ads are more visually interesting that others). In other words, spend some time looking for an ad that resonates with you visually. Look for strong points of contrast and "clarity" of the overall composition (which we talked about in class). Although you will be creating a grey scale copy, you can choose either a full color or black/white ad to translate.
2) Understanding Composition. Once you've selected your ad it is time to "deconstruct" your image - understand how all the individual parts fit together (layers, dominant/subordinate, etc). Your sketchbook is a valuable tool in this process. Try to find the larger compositional forms in the ad, locate the dominate forms, areas of pattern, points of high contrast, etc. Use your sketch book to make small "thumbnail" drawings of these forms/parts/layers of the composition and how they fit together. One way of locating the major compositional forms is to place a sheet of vellum over the ad and trace forms (like background shapes, areas of pattern, major forms). You will be using this information when you translate your ad to your own unique image.
Remember that you are simplifying, and "abstracting from" the original image. Once you gain an understanding of how the image is constructed (layers, focus, stable armature and dominant forms), you can begin to translate this information to your grey scale (full constrast ratio) recreation. You are using the ad as a starting point! Understand how the image is made, how it works, then use your findings to create your own.
Text: If there is text in the image (brand name, etc)...use your last name - NOT the original brand name (using font/invented font you think is most successful). Pay attention to how this text fits into the overall composition.
Lastly, remember these three key concepts: SIMPLIFY, EDIT, REFINE. You're using the ad as a starting point only! You will be abstracting from the ad, editing certain forms/areas that you feel are not as successful as they could be, and then refining the composition to a stronger image, more clear final image.
3) Making Your Image. You can use Illustrator or conventional collage techniques (cut/paste). Remember you can use the full contrast ratio.
Illustrator: Using the tools we have discussed in class you can create your own shapes, live trace images to make shapes, change value, change opacity, add text, etc. - print out your final grey scale image and print on photo paper. Center print on bristol, fix, and bring to class.
Collage: My advice is to lightly draw a rectangular picture area on a sheet of bristol (approx. 8.5" x 11"). This will be your image area where you will be creating your collage. Find newspapers, magazines, or make your own black and white prints to use for creating a conventional collage image. Make sure to securely glue/paste each element. Once finished, use a ruler and neatly cut out your collage from its original bristol, center and fix on another clean sheet.
Key Elements:
Clarity
Foreground/Middle Ground/Background
Points of Highest Contrast (Large/Small, Org./Geo., Complex/Simple, Light/Dark)
Dominant/Sub./Accentual
Major Forms/Stable Armature
BRING TO CLASS:
*Value Translation, Grey Scales
*FLASH DRIVE!!! Or CD to save in-class work!
*We will be covering TEXTURE next week and working with Illustrator
