Friday, January 17, 2014

The Design Process - reminder for year 3 and 4

Year 3 and 4s, please review your notes on Elements and Principles of Design for the exam.
Also remember the Design Process and what's involved during each step.
1. Understand the goal
2. Research
3. Brainstorm
4. Analyze and Test
5. Finalize
6. Reflect

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Digital Surrealism Artist Statement - Year One TGJ 1OP

When you have finished your digital surrealism work in Photoshop and have approval to print, you are ready to write your artist statement/analysis.

Discuss the following in your artist statement. Please submit a printed copy of this, with a title page along with your final PRINT of your digital surrealism photo.

1. Discuss your concept. What was your intended message? Explain the meaning behind the images you used and any symbolism that was embedded in your image.

2. Explain your procedure from beginning to end. Begin with your sketches and thought process and take us through the technical aspects of completing the work. Include information about how you used Photoshop. There should be evidence of knowledge and understanding here!

3. Explain what your learned while completing this project - both technically and conceptually (if applicable). Also discuss whether or not you are satisfied with your end result. Why or why/not?

Monday, January 6, 2014

Year Four Portfolios

1. Demo Reels (Year Four option)
It seems likely that while you may not be ready for a demo reel, some of you may want to try it out as your final portfolio. It's a very effective and snazzy way to show your work, but with everything motion related, timing and quality are so important, as is an appropriate soundtrack.


Things to ponder about Demo Reels

Some Awesome Animation Demo Reels

2. Online Portfolios

For those of you who want to incorporate some motion, but mostly still, check out these sites below. Consider how professional and slick your portfolio can look on these sites and choose wisely. For instance, while many of you browse and may even have portfolios on Deviant Art, it is NOT an appropriate site for a professional portfolio for the purposes of this programme.


15 Free Online Portfolio SITES

35 Amazing Portfolio sites to inspire you



Digital Surrealism - Year One


Surrealism is an artistic movement that was founded in the early 1920s. It's influences include Sigmund Freud (famous psychoanalyst who was fascinated by the subconscious mind and dreams). "Surrealism style uses visual imagery from the subconscious mind to create art without the intention of logical comprehensibility." In other words, it doesn't make sense in the real world, only the surreal world. Surrealism includes an element of surprise and uses unlikely juxtapositions and blends dream and reality.

Please research Surrealism in Art and/or photography and create a prezi presentation that includes the following: (Please post your finished presentation on your blog by Thursday, January 16, 2014. Ready to present please!)

1. What is Surrealism? (In your own words please!)

2. Pick one Surrealist artist and:
  • briefly discuss their view on surrealism
  • the years they produced art (or birth-death)
  • and what their interests were as artists--subjects they addressed, issues they focused on
  • were they part of other artistic movements?

3. Show 8 examples of Surrealist art by the artist you have selected.

Please pick one artist each so that we can cover all of them. Or, you might find one on your own.

  • Max Ernst
  • Andre Breton
  • Man Ray
  • Maurice Tabard
  • Dorothea Tanning
  • Salvador Dali
  • Rene Magritte
  • Joan Miró
  • Marcel Duchamp
  •  Giorgio de Chirico
  • Leonora Carrington
  • Alberto Giacometti
  • Hieronymus Bosch
  • Yves Tanguy
  • MC Escher
  • Erik Johansson (modern day photographer)
  • Jerry Uelsmann (modern photographer who worked with negatives to create surrealist photos)
  • Dada (the movement)
  • Zev Hoover

4. Please include any and ALL links that you have used to find your information. Please do not copy and paste directly from these links!! That's called plagiarism and it's a big fat NO-NO!

5. You can include a reference list at the end of your presentation, but you MUST embed a minimum of 3 links (they could be videos, audio interviews or just other websites with more information) into your prezi presentation.

6. Make the presentation surreal, but make sure we can clearly see and identify the artist's works, as well as the text that answers the questions above.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Before the break!! Year One Tech

Make sure that before the break you submit your finished photoshop exercises (.psd files) with your blended image posted on your blog with the full procedure written down - step by step.

AND - please ensure that your finished stop-motion animation is in the drop folder and that your final report (group and individual) has been submitted.


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Photoshop - where to begin

10 things 

1. Retouching blemishes - spot healing brush. Understanding layers.
Choose one of the two retouch portraits in the Photoshop Practice folder. The male portrait may be a little more challenging. Or try both! Put your finished work in the drop off folder.

Then check this out to become aware of how much retouching is done on celebrities!
Celebrity retouching


2. Filters - liquify for subtle effects.
Use the liquify filter on one of the portraits to create subtle effects that improve the photo, then try using the liquify filter to create a fun and wacky effect.

3. Using adjustment layers and masks - to lighten or darken certain areas.
Find the mask_exposure photo in the folder and make adjustments using the exposure tool.

4. Find an image and try removing an object from the background using the content aware fill tool. Repair any remnants of the object with the spot healing brush or the patch tool.

5. Take a portrait of a person and place them on a different background. Have fun with this, but don't spend unnecessary time looking. This is a technical assignment. You should be finished by Monday at the latest. When you're done, save as a psd AND save for web and post it on your blog. Write about your procedure, step by step so you reinforce the learning.

You should have 2-4 images to submit. You might have used the selective adjustment/layer (#3) on your retouching image. That's fine. You might also have removed the object from the blending two images assignment.
In all you should cover these 4 things:
1. Retouching - spot healing brush. And liquify.
2. Adjustment layers and masks for selective adjustment.
3. Remove an object from a background.
4. Place a person on a different background.



Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Year One Painting research

1. Find 3 painting from MOMA or SFMOMA websites that use a style of art that you are interested in recreating. These works will influence your own painting style for your narrative artwork

2. Post the three works on your blog with references (artist name, dates, title, medium, etc)

3. Write a short statement under each artwork that explains what attracts you to this style of painting. What do you find interesting about it?

4. If you are finished, you can make more snowflakes :)