Sometimes you create an art project that is so simple in its nature, yet the results are great…like this one. Maybe it’s because teens seem to like gory stuff? Regardless, my x-ray vision project has a really simple basis: Using images of bones and/or organs and the opacity function on Photoshop layers, show the model’sContinue reading “X-Ray Vision (Computer Art Project)”
Tag Archives: ArtEducation
Beyond the Color Wheel
James Turrell, Mark Rothko, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse….so many of the titans of the art world are who they are because of color. Mike Tyson famously said “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” and color is what often gives artwork its punch. So what do you teach students after theyContinue reading “Beyond the Color Wheel”
Having fun with Tessellations!
Tessellations get a bad rap sometimes and I’m not sure why. Maybe the repetition comes across as unartistic or too predictable? Perhaps art teachers don’t realize how easy they are to plan? Regardless, once you get going, sky’s the limit. There are so many wonderful things you can do with tessellations and pattern is oneContinue reading “Having fun with Tessellations!”
Matisse Cut Outs: Teaching Abstract Art
One of my all time favorite art pieces is the cut out “Icarus” by Matisse. Brilliant in its simplicity. The black figure of Icarus could be any of us, and is he falling or floating? The blue looks more like water than sky to me. The piece bridges life and death, and like most ofContinue reading “Matisse Cut Outs: Teaching Abstract Art”
Teaching the Role of Composition in Art
Artistic composition is a fundamental part of my pedagogy. Perhaps that’s because it was looked over for most my own art education and I had to painstakingly pick it up through intuition and osmosis. Admittedly, that’s what you want though…an informed but intuitive approach to art making. Anyway, I teach my kids about composition andContinue reading “Teaching the Role of Composition in Art”
Theme Park Posters
This is one of my favorite intro to Photoshop projects and offers an opportunity to teach all kinds of valuable things like typography (display fonts), layering, and royalty free images/copyright infringement. I have some simple perimeters: pick a city and using at least 6 layers and engaging typography, design a poster for an amusement park,Continue reading “Theme Park Posters”
Draw, Paint, Think 