Drawing 2 Class Stronger than EVER!

Nicolette Mason

I know it has been a while since I have posted. One of the main reasons is, even as I am writing, I am having a difficult time uploading to my blog. The school server isn't allowing me to post pictures. I have spent several hours, cropping, adding, editing and then when I go to post.

NOTHING WILL UPLOAD! Grrrrr...

At least nothing I edit or crop will post!

Rant over.

Anyway, my Drawing 2 class has been absolutely killing it in terms of technique and creativity. From their sketchbook assignments to their projects they have been giving it 110% and I couldn't be prouder of all of them!

These first 3 photos you see are from a sketchbook assignment I call "Finish your Face" It's a creative sketchbook assignment that challenges students to use the proportions of the face in a creative way. There are just a few examples of what the class came up with!  The next two photographs are also a sketchbook assignment that required students to create a themed alphabet! We had a wide range of alphabet themes including Indian themed, flower themed, Star Wars and Dogs!

The last set of drawings are the completed projects of our unit on One Point Perspective. Each student picked a black and white one point perspective photograph to use as a reference for their drawing. Their use of value and light is just as impressive as their one point perspective technique! Take a look and I am sure you will agree! 

Please feel free to comment on this post! 

Students love seeing comments and getting feedback!

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              Fulton Cunha                                                                                        Marisa Enes

Nicolette Mason

Aiden Cunningham

Ash Legere

Taylor Abbott

Christina Lane

Alyssa Marino

Abstract Self- Portraits

My Honors Studio Art class had been working hard at tackling a different kind of self-portrait. This year we decided on an ABSTRACT approach to our self-portraits. We spend some time looking at a number of abstract portraiture from Picasso to my new, personal favorite, Piet van den Boog. We talked mainly about color and shape for abstracting our portraits. While we all agree, there is a fine line between Abstract and Surreal, we had a fun time blurring the lines. 

See for yourself!

Olivia Casey

Rachel Nearis

Matilda Grow

Alannah Allen

Jadin Aubrey

Alexis Orlando

Danielle Bauke

Sara Francis

Jacqueline Wonson

Matt Gately

Jessalyn Silveria

Cabinet of Death Observations

Sharks by Rachel Nearis

Thanks to Mr. Enos and his infamous Cabinet of Death our Honors Art students got a special spooky and creepy treat for their observation unit in September. Jars used in the science department for various studies in Marine Biology and Oceanography were borrowed by the Visual Arts department for our students to use as observational drawings. Sometimes drawing a still life, or folded fabric- although very useful as visual exercises- can become trite but a a fresh (or not so fresh) baby shark fetus... well you don't get to see that every day. I think you will enjoy what our students did with these drawings. I think they exceeded everyone's expectations! We had a representative from New Hampshire Institute of Art, Matt Smigiel, come visit our class on October 1 and he was thrilled with the results of this assignment. In his presentation to the class on portfolio preparation he emphasized the importance of observational drawings. He explained to the class why they are so important and how many the college looks for in a portfolio. (at least 5) We have 2 more college representatives coming this month. Hartford Art School will visit us after this long weekend on Tuesday, October 13th and we are going to visit Mass Art as a class on Tuesday, October 20th. 

If any parent would like to join us on this trip PLEASE let me know! I would love to have you join 

us! 

Photo of the actual jar used for Rachel,
Sara, &  Greer's drawings 

Portfolio Day Information

In addition I wanted to remind everyone of some important dates for National Portfolio Day.
The closest one to us is in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center on Sunday, November 1st. from noon to 4. You can get more information from their website at: http://www.smfa.edu/portfolio-day

Hartford Art School is also hosting a Portfolio Day on Saturday, October 31st from noon to 4.
You can find out what venues are hosting Portfolio Days across the country here: http://portfolioday.net/  If you have specific questions regarding your own portfolio come see me. Going to a portfolio day is an excellent way to get feedback on what colleges think you may need to add into your portfolio to make it stronger and secure a spot at the college of your choice. It is an excellent experience. I wholeheartedly recommend going.

by Sara Francis

Snake jar by Matilda Grow

by Danielle Bauke

by Gabby Robertson

by Jacqueline Wonson

by Alannah Allen

by Jadin Aubrey

by Alexis Doyle

by Jayla Lok-Price

By Alexis Orlando

by Olivia Casey

by Matt Gately

by Bella Tocantins

by Greer Viau

by Jessalyn Silveira

Drawing from Observation

by Fulton Cunha

It's been a long time since my last blog entry, but I am committed this year to keeping you all informed about what is happening in Artroom 3111. We have exciting new students this year and our experienced, honors students, have started the year off with great enthusiasm!

September is all about drawing from observation. Yes, actually looking at what you are drawing- not looking at a picture of what you are drawing. My biggest challenge is always asking students to look up as they draw. Many students think it's "easier" to take a picture of their still life with their phone and draw from the picture, but any artist will tell you that the quality of that drawing will never measure up to a true life drawing from observation. My Drawing 1 students started off with learning about line, qualities of line, space, and composition. They created thumbnail sketches of a still life I arranged with different chairs. They then filled in the negative space in each thumbnail sketch black. After they had completed a page of thumbnail sketches each student picked their most successful compositions to enlarge. The enlarged, final works included zentangle line designs in the negative space or positive space depending on the composition. Check it out!

Thumbnail sketches

by Katey Latassa

on display outside Artroom 3111

By Jessica Oliver



*** all bold highlighted words are vocabulary words that each student is responsible for knowing**

Honors Art Exhibit

On Saturday, May 3rd the Honors Art Class held an art opening, exhibiting their work at the Sawyer Free Library. The room was filled with amazing art from every student in the class. It was a beautiful display of the creative journey we have taken this school year. Family members and friends came to celebrate with us and commend these students on an incredible year. Alec Anand, Andrew Caden, Taylor Cognato, Rosie Margetson, Caity O'Leary, Jennifer Palazola, Jessica Palazola, Sydeny Iwohn, Nina LoGrande, Matt Santos and Emily Russo~ You all hold a VERY SPECIAL place in my heart! Take a look at the unbelievable art that was on display and video I surprised them with! 

Honors Art Exhibit Slideshow

It's a dirty job

Mike Rowe would agree: it's a dirty job. Reverse charcoal drawings, that is. Last week my honors studio art class began to cover their paper (and themselves) with charcoal. This drawing technique creates a dramatic effect and accentuates lights and darks in the drawing. The stubject matter is a bit of a challenge as well. I selected a 1970's style tuxedo men's shirt that is now pinned to the wall. (Below)

Students then began to sketch out the shirt in 3 different compositions. Even the thumbnail sketches make an interesting layout. Just look at Jennifer Palazola's sketches below.

Once the student had decided on the most successful composition, they began to use an eraser to draw that sketch on their prepared charcoal paper. The majority of this drawing is done with an eraser, charcoal and some white and grey tone pastels. Take a look at the beginning. 

I am looking to showing you the finished products!

Even clean up is more interesting when we are using charcoal!