Art Fundamentals
Elements of Art and Principles of Design
Elements of Art
1) Download this elements of art handout
2) Watch 'Elements of Art' YouTube video by Art Heros
3) Download these additional handouts on the elements of art: line, shape & form, texture, space, value (note: colour will be expanded on in a lesson below)
2) Watch 'Elements of Art' YouTube video by Art Heros
3) Download these additional handouts on the elements of art: line, shape & form, texture, space, value (note: colour will be expanded on in a lesson below)
Principles of Design
1) Download this principles of design handout
2) Watch 'Principles of Design' YouTube video by Art Heros
3) Download these additional handouts on the principles of design: pattern, emphasis, variety, unity, balance, rhythm & movement, proportion.
2) Watch 'Principles of Design' YouTube video by Art Heros
3) Download these additional handouts on the principles of design: pattern, emphasis, variety, unity, balance, rhythm & movement, proportion.
Assignment
Divide a single piece of paper into six equal quadrants. Label the quadrants as follows: line, shape & form, texture, space, value and colour. In each quadrant you will draw an appropriate example of the specified element, in addition select a principal of design to add to each quadrant. For example: in the 'line' quadrant you can also include the principal 'pattern'.
Colour Theory Basics
1) Watch 'Colour Theory Basics' YouTube video |
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Image Development Strategies
Image-development strategies are the processes used to transform ideas and experiences in a particular way for a particular effect. Below are definitions to some of the image development strategies we will address in this course. Throughout this course you will find it useful to return to these definitions.
- abstraction—art created from a realistic situation but represented unrealistically. Abstract art images are "abstracted" from real life images
- compression—the effect, result, or consequence of compressing an image
- distortion—misrepresenting and pulling out of shape any part of an image
- elaboration--embellishing or adding detail to part or all of an image
- exaggeration--over-emphasizing or intensifying a portion or aspect of an image
- figurative--Artwork based on the human form
- fragmentation--detaching, isolating, or breaking up part or all of an image
- free association--
- gesture--
- juxtaposition--placing like or contrasting images or elements side-by-side in a way that changes the meaning or effect of each
- magnification--increasing the apparent size of some or all of the elements in an image
- metamorphosis--changing an image from one form to another
- minification--decreasing the apparent size of an image
- multiplication--reiterating or restating part or all of an image
- personification--giving human characteristics to nonhuman forms
- point of view--positioning the viewer physically relative to the created image
- reversal--turning inside out, inverting, transposing, or converting to the opposite an effect in all or a portion of an image
- rotation--revolving, moving, or rearranging an image or parts of an image
- serialization--repeating multiple variations of an image in connection with each other
- simplification--making an image less complex by the elimination of details
- stylization--
- thumbnail sketch—
The slideshows below provide examples of some of the image development strategies defined above.
For more information on image development strategies read Myra Eadie's article 'Image Development and Design Strategies'
For more information on image development strategies read Myra Eadie's article 'Image Development and Design Strategies'
Assignment
Audience
- the role of artist and audience in a variety of context
- the influence of visual culture in social and other media
- the influence of visual culture in social and other media
Assignment
Collect a variety of advertising images aimed at a particular demographic (e.g., teenage boys, women with children). Think about the following questions: Do the images portray stereotypes or assumptions about this group? If so, how? Create an advertising image that challenges or contradicts the original stereotype. The image can be created using any medium (watercolour, acrylic paint, coloured pencils, clay, digital media, etc). The image can be 2D or 3D. The image must employ at least 3 'elements of art', 2 'principles of design' and 1 'image development strategy' (identify these in your write up). A 300-400 word essay must accompany your image, use the following questions to guide your writing: What was the original stereotype you were aiming to challenge? How did the advertisements you collected portray these stereotypes or assumptions? Explain what your image is, what it means and why you chose it?
Symbolism
The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines symbolism as: the art or practice of using symbols especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations.
Symbolism can be found in many works of art. Watch the video 'How to Create Art with a Message - With Meaning - Symbolism in Art'
Symbolism can be found in many works of art. Watch the video 'How to Create Art with a Message - With Meaning - Symbolism in Art'
Assignment
Download and complete the following assignment: Symbolism Assignment.
Difference between Art and Craft
1) Read the article 'Difference between art and craft'
2) Watch the YouTube video 'Is there a difference between art and craft? - Laura Morelli' by TED-Ed.
2) Watch the YouTube video 'Is there a difference between art and craft? - Laura Morelli' by TED-Ed.
Assignment
Answer the following questions in complete sentences and/or paragraphs.
1) How does art historical terminology shape our views of objects? What do you think of when you hear the words “fine art,” “folk art,” “primitive,” “artisan,” “innovative,” “craftsmanship,” “decorative arts,” “masterpiece?”
2) What are some of the ways in which Renaissance culture changed people’s views of the role of art—and artists—in Western society?
3) In the Western world today, what are our expectations about the function of “art” and the role of “artists?” Is it the same as in other cultures? How and why might it be different?
Artist Biography
What is an Artist Bio?
An artist’s bio is a short paragraph, written in prose, and in the third person. It tells more about the way your life has influenced your work than a CV (aka resume), which is in point form. A bio is about you, the artist, as opposed to an “artist’s statement” which is more about the work and the themes behind it, and is written in first person.
1) State the basics. The components of a bio are quite straight forward. Of course some of these may not apply to you, and you may want to change the order.
2) Find your nugget
There is something about you that makes your art unique. Make sure it’s in your bio. Do you use unusual tools, materials, techniques? Are you tapping into an extraordinary childhood or event from your past? Are you inspired by a place, person, or issue that might resonate with clients or jurors?
3) Emphasize relevant experience
Who are you writing for and what is important to them? You may need a different bio for different events. If, for example, you are applying for an outdoor exhibition where you will be your own salesperson, such as Guelph’s Art on the Street, be sure to emphasize any similar events so the organizers know you can deal with crowds, weather, etc.
4) Use the delete button
Editing yourself can be painful, but it’s necessary. You want to paint a clear picture of who you are now as an artist. Unless you’re just out of high school, your secondary school experience is probably not relevant. If you’re applying to show your acrylics, the sculptures you created in the ’90s may not do much for you. A website bio should be 200 words or fewer. Some applications will limit you to 100. Trim your bio and see if it reads better. You might be surprised.
5) Grab a proof reader
Make sure to get another set of eyes on your bio before you post/submit it. Typos make you look careless and unprofessional.
That’s it! Still not sure you hit the sweet spot? Check out samples of artist’s bios on in our Member Directory or your favourite artist’s web site.
(Adapted from www.guelpharts.ca/how-to-write-your-artist-s-bio-in-5-easy-steps)
An artist’s bio is a short paragraph, written in prose, and in the third person. It tells more about the way your life has influenced your work than a CV (aka resume), which is in point form. A bio is about you, the artist, as opposed to an “artist’s statement” which is more about the work and the themes behind it, and is written in first person.
1) State the basics. The components of a bio are quite straight forward. Of course some of these may not apply to you, and you may want to change the order.
- Where you are from; where you live and work
- Name and medium you work in; special techniques
- Key themes; what you hope to accomplish with your art
- Art-related education; any well-known teachers, influences
- Awards; other professional achievements
- Other art-related work, such as being a curator or art writer
- Significant projects you are working on, upcoming exhibitions, collaborations
2) Find your nugget
There is something about you that makes your art unique. Make sure it’s in your bio. Do you use unusual tools, materials, techniques? Are you tapping into an extraordinary childhood or event from your past? Are you inspired by a place, person, or issue that might resonate with clients or jurors?
3) Emphasize relevant experience
Who are you writing for and what is important to them? You may need a different bio for different events. If, for example, you are applying for an outdoor exhibition where you will be your own salesperson, such as Guelph’s Art on the Street, be sure to emphasize any similar events so the organizers know you can deal with crowds, weather, etc.
4) Use the delete button
Editing yourself can be painful, but it’s necessary. You want to paint a clear picture of who you are now as an artist. Unless you’re just out of high school, your secondary school experience is probably not relevant. If you’re applying to show your acrylics, the sculptures you created in the ’90s may not do much for you. A website bio should be 200 words or fewer. Some applications will limit you to 100. Trim your bio and see if it reads better. You might be surprised.
5) Grab a proof reader
Make sure to get another set of eyes on your bio before you post/submit it. Typos make you look careless and unprofessional.
That’s it! Still not sure you hit the sweet spot? Check out samples of artist’s bios on in our Member Directory or your favourite artist’s web site.
(Adapted from www.guelpharts.ca/how-to-write-your-artist-s-bio-in-5-easy-steps)
Assignment
Near the end of the year after you have created several art pieces and you are getting ready for the art show, write a 150-200 word artist biography to accompany your exhibition.
Artist Statement
What Is an Artist’s Statement?
- A general introduction to your work, a body of work, or a specific project.
- It should open with the work’s basic ideas in an overview of two or three sentences or a short paragraph.
- The second paragraph should go into detail about how these issues or ideas are presented in the work.
- If writing a full-page statement, you can include some of the following points:
- Why you have created the work and its history.
- Your overall vision.
- What you expect from your audience and how they will react.
- How your current work relates to your previous work.
- Where your work fits in with current contemporary art.
- How your work fits in with the history of art practice.
- How your work fits into a group exhibition, or a series of projects you have done.
- Sources and inspiration for your images.
- Artists you have been influenced by or how your work relates to other artists’ work. Other influences.
- How this work fits into a series or longer body of work.
- How a certain technique is important to the work.
- Your philosophy of art making or of the work’s origin.
- The final paragraph should recapitulate the most important points in the statement.
