Nov. 21 Class

Today I discussed what will be on the test on Monday.  Here is a handout outlining what you will need to study.

Handout: Unit 2 Test Review

You should all be completed your printmaking by tomorrow.  Those who are not done should be making the time to come in after school to do the printing.

Nov. 15 Class

Today we watched a bit of a video on some advanced printmaking techniques.  What we are doing with our plexiglass plates is a simplified version of what the professionals do with copper plates.  Here is a link to the video:

Intaglio Printmaking Techniques

We then discussed the marking scheme for your etching and prints.

Handout: Rubric for Printmaking

This rubric will be used to assess your final prints.  Everyone should aim to complete their prints by the end of next week.

Nov. 6 Class

I hope you all enjoyed our trip to the AGO today!

Here is a link to the show we saw so that you can tell all your friends:
http://www.ago.net/frida-diego-passion-politics-and-painting

I know some of you were missing the handout for the assignment, so download it here:

Handout: Assignment on Frida and Diego

Nov. 1 Class

Today I collected and marked everyone's preliminary work for the Hero project.  You should all be ready to start on the final drawing as of today.

I also took some time to talk about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.  They are the most famous Mexican artsits and we will be seeing their work on the field trip next week!

Handout: Questions on Frida and Diego

Here are examples of their work that we discussed.

Starting with Diego who was inspired by the Renaissance frescos to paint large scale murals:

He painted murals that represented the history of Mexico on a grand scale.

Man, Controller of the Universe.   You can find hints of his political and religious views in this piece.  He belonged to the Communist Party in Mexico and he was an atheist.

You can see his fondness of depicting working class people at the centre of his images. 

Liberation fo the Peon.  Read about this one on page 529 of your textbook.

Now for Frida Kahlo.  She was not very famous when she was alive, but in recent decades she has gained immense polarity.  In 2002 a movie was made of her life called Frida.  Whereas Diego painted the Mexican society, Frida turned her artistic talents inwards to paint her inner struggles and torment.  She contracted polio at the age of 8 and was seriously injured in a bus accident at the age of 18.  The accident broke almost every bone in her body and made it impossible for her to have children.  Her injuries caused her to experience intense pain throughout her life.

Most of her works are self portraits because she claims that is what she knew best.

Two versions of herself; one with a broken heart, one that is whole.

Can you feel her pain and torment in her work?

Frida and Diego Rivera.  Read about this one on page 532 of your textbook.

 Their relationship was a tumultuous one.  They were married, divorced and remarried, both having multiple affairs.  He was 20 years older than her and was already a famous figure when they met, while she was still an art student.  She died in 1954 and he died three years after.

Oct. 30 Class

Today we looked at some examples of prints that students made in previous years and the etched plates that produced them.  At this point you should all start planning your compositions by producing at least 4 thumbnail sketches.

Oct. 29 Class

Today we discussed a bit more about Greek art to give you some inspiration for your Neoclassical hero images.  Keep in mind images of Greek pottery, sculpture and architecture.

You can also draw on Greek myths and legends such as the Greek gods and Olympians as inspirations of ways to depict your hero.  Here are some steps that I will be looking for in your process:


Sketchbook Work:

• Self portraits (3)
• Source images of Hero
• Source images of Greek/Roman Art
• Other support images if necessary

At least 4 thumbnail sketches of composition (Formative).

Final plan completed in full size to be transferred to etching (Summative).

Oct. 26 Class

Today we talked more about the Neoclassical period.  To fully understand it we have to know a bit about the Rococo period that came before it.  The Rococo was characterized by highly ornate and decorative art.  Rococo paintings depicted love, romance and party scenes.  Here are a few examples of the Rococo style.

This style was popular among the French nobility.  However, during the French Revolution, the nobility was overthrown and a new form of art emerged in revolt of the Rococo style.  This was the Neoclassical style led by David.  His goal was to depict heroic scenes that would inspire the revolution.  These images included the Death of Marat and the Oath of the Horatii that we discussed previously.

The Neoclassical style favoured order, calm and rationality.  They preferred the use of bold lines instead of colour.  Their subject matter consisted of stories from the ancient Greeks and Romans.  They considered the Rococo party scenes to be frivolous.

Homework:

• Complete the worksheet.
• Find source images for the hero of your choice.
• Find source images of Greek and Roman art.