Entry Event: Brainstorm with a peer, subject matter (living or inanimate) that would have an interesting surface to study and work with close up in an artwork.
DOTS Chart: Discuss/Determine, Observe, Think, Share Out
Why work with close-ups?
Close ups force us as artists or student artists to really practice using our artistic eye (seeing versus looking) and makes us really look at the surface of an object or creature. We really begin to discover the fine details of a bugs body or a rusty metallic object, or an elephants skin. The surfaces we paint all have textures, let us not ignore them for sake of ease!
What is and what is not a close-up?
How To Actually Use Watercolor Paint: Professional Perspectives
ABOVE: Getting started...just the basics Pt. 1 (7 mins)
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ABOVE: Getting started...just the basics Pt. 2 (2 mins)
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Pause for Practice! Create your own leaf based upon the demonstrations.
Why so many demonstrations?
Art students too often get very focused on producing work and want to just...get going, get going, get going...the problem with this approach is hat your art will usually remain in an amateurish place if you don't take the time to really learn new skills, figure out new ways to deal with composition, color, bush types, or mistakes, and to learn from the professionals you will be constantly stuck with work below what you could make or may be stuck constantly trying to re-invent the wheel. Spending a half an hour+ learning new skills, or building up your current skills set, will pay off greatly when we move into a major multi-day project. In the end the new knowledge and skills will pay off in a better quality work with less frustrations.
ABOVE: 6 Mistakes to NOT MAKE! (13 mins)
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ABOVE: How to start your 1st major watercolor painting (10 mins)
Professional Watercolor Artist: Matthew Palmer |
ABOVE: How to finish your 1st major watercolor (10 mins)
Professional Watercolor Artist: Matthew Palmer |
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Close-Ups & Backgrounds:
When developing a close-up focused artwork you may or may not have to think about what to do with your background. If there is a lot of white space left over you may want to consider some different types of backgrounds, but what should I do?
Project Options: (timeframe is about 5 to 7 class days depending upon complexity)
Your options for this project are open-choice, but structured. There are a few minimal requirements I have expectation for; they include:
1) A close-up composition lightly sketched on your watercolor paper surface.
2) A willingness to work at a large scale. (formats should change vert. or horiz. to match your works flow, ...10"x24", 14"x24", 18" x 24", 8" x 24", or other appropriate sizes.
3) Use of colors in light layers (think of watercolor like colored sheets of glass you can see through).
4) A real focus on details and shading/highlights.
1) A close-up composition lightly sketched on your watercolor paper surface.
2) A willingness to work at a large scale. (formats should change vert. or horiz. to match your works flow, ...10"x24", 14"x24", 18" x 24", 8" x 24", or other appropriate sizes.
3) Use of colors in light layers (think of watercolor like colored sheets of glass you can see through).
4) A real focus on details and shading/highlights.
Project Self-Evaluation:
Available on Google Classroom
Project Final Photo & Critique:
Upload a final photo of your finished project to Google Classroom for grading. It will also be used in a whole class group critique.