Surreal Drawing Requirements

• Draw/shade as realistic as possible.
• Use a wide variety of value. You should have light, medium and dark.
• Drawing must be on cardstock WITHOUT value scale
• Fill space
• No background is necessary.

Week Three: August 25,27, 28

Monday, 25th

What is Surrealism? 
-Surrealism is a style in which fantastical visual imagery from the subconscious mind is used with no intention of making the work logically comprehensible. -artcyclopedia

 -A 20th-century art form in which an artist or writer combines unrelated images or events in a very strange and dreamlike way. -webster dictionary

-Though the movement was officially started in 1924 by poets, the visual artists who came later made Surrealism known to the world.

Was the Surrealism movement considered somewhat anti-Christian? 
Yes, Definitely! This is unfortunate as it could have been very beneficial to Christians.

Were there any Christian Surrealists? Yes!

• The poet Pierre Reverdy was a Christian. Though Pierre was not technically part of the Surrealist movement, he influenced André Breton, who wrote the Surrealist Manifesto, as well as other surrealists.
• The painter Salvador Dali became a Christian later in life and contributed a number of profound pieces of surreal Christian Art. His works highlight why surrealism is important for the Christian Church.
• The psychologist Carl Jung considered himself a Christian, and incorporated surreal techniques in his practice with patients.

Salvador Dali- The Persistence of Memory, is a painting that most people are familiar with.

Surrealism is a surprising aspect of Christianity.

In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.
Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), Rev 4:6-9

I could probably pick more, but this will do. These show a positive side to surrealism that I don’t think is touched upon, namely:

Surrealism and dream logic is how finite humanity often processes spiritual reality.

The seraphim’s wings in the first verse are described in a way that is surreal. Six wings, two to fly, and four to shield themselves from the glory of God (averting their eyes, and shielding their feet from touching holy ground.) In this case, as in the other verse and in similar passages, a mortal man is witnessing this.
What  I believe is that in order for Isaiah and John to process the visions, they had to render it in dream logic. I think maybe because since the spiritual is a higher order than the physical, we as human beings simply can’t fully comprehend God and spiritual experience:

The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”
The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.
But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Exodus chapter 33. God goes on to only allow Moses to see Him from behind, literally stuffing him into a rock’s crevice and covering him until He passed by. In other words, direct experience of Him we can’t handle, and it’s transformed into a form we can. I think sometimes even the lesser spiritual realities and visions are similar, and we can only handle it by reducing it into surreal modes of thought. Somehow in the same way dreams can transmit meaning despite the lack of things like continuity, logic, or sense, spiritual things can be understood too. (A Christian Defense of Surrealism)

Juxstaposition- Placing two or more objects next to one another

In Class Project:
Create a value scale. Sketch ideas for drawing- An animate object (something living) and inanimate object (something man made). We will print your images for you to use as references in class or you can do the printing at home.
Journaling Bible: Cover expectations for first pages.

Wednesday, 26th

In Class Project: Start out with a value scale mini lesson. 2 worksheets. Surreal Graphite Drawing- Draw an inanimate object combined with an animate object. Use a wide range of value. Lights and Darks. Draw as realistic you can. Learn shading techniques.

Thursday, 27th

In Class Project: Continue drawing

Journaling Bible: Jonah 4:2, Highlight scripture, Use color, Use the spread- Fill both pages. Remember don't cover scripture with solid color, you want to see the scripture through the illustration. IDEA: Whale would be a good choice or ocean, text is ok for this assignment too.

Principles of Design- Balance, Unity and Emphasis

BALANCE
Balance often refers to symmetry in art.
Does one side of the design have more "weight" than the other?

UNITY
Unity helps all the elements look like they belong together. Readers need visual cues to let them know the piece is one unit-the text, headline, photographs, graphic images, and captions all go together. The concept of unity describes the relationship between the individual parts and the whole of a composition.

EMPHASIS

Emphasis is what stands out or gets noticed first. Every layout needs a focal point to draw the readers eye to the important part of the layout. Too many focal points defeat the purpose. Generally, a focal point is created when one element is different from the rest.

Principles of Design- Pattern, Rhythm/Movement, Scale/Proportion

Pattern- The repetition of  visual objects/shapes
Rythym/Movement- The regular repetition of an element that creates a sense of movement. How your eye moves throughout the artwork.
Scale/Proportion- Used as a size relationship to other objects, relating size to a particular measurement.

Week Two: August 17, 19, 20

Elements of Art: Color, Texture, Space
Color

Space

Texture

Journaling Bible Homework:
Here are some samples of name covers. Please no characters or icons here. 

Elements of Art- Line, Shape/Form and Value

Instructions: After cutting and folding accordion book we will use the first side for Elements of Art. Either choose an object and repeat on each page or choose a theme that flows. Samples will be passed around class. Make sure to label each page. The front of the accordion book should be given the title: Elements of Art.

The first 3 pages of your accordion book will be Line, Shape/Form and Value. Below are samples of these.

 

2. Shape

Week One, August 10,12,13

The Elements of Art and Principles of Design

The building blocks used by artist to create works of art. 

The elements and principles can be defined and identified.

More about Elements of Art can be found here. 

MONDAY

IN CLASS ASSIGNMENT:

Project: Personalize your portfolio!

Description: Fold your poster board in half so short sides touch. Name must be on the right along the short side.

Your portfolio is where you will place your dry artwork. These are stored in supply closet.

JOURNALING BIBLE:

Intro to Journaling Bible- Handout with instructions will given in class. Our Journaling Bible will be used as our sketchbook this year. This is where ALL homework for art will be completed.

Journaling Bible Handout

Bibles will be handed out in class, everyone should have paid for one with Smart Tuition.

JOURNALING BIBLE HOMEWORK: 
Homework assignment: Try different supplies in back of your Bible. This will allow you to see which supplies work and don't work. It's ok to use sharpies and markers to see the results this time. 
Due Date: Monday August 17th. 
(Homework will be highlighted in yellow for easy viewing.)

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY

IN CLASS ASSIGNMENT:

Project: Elements of Art Accordion Book, Principles of Design half will be started on Monday.

Description: Folded Accordian Book with the Elements of Art on each panel/page.

Samples

Welcome

Welcome to RECA High School Art!

This is where you will find:

Weekly Art  Lessons, Slideshows, Visuals, Links and more!

Check back soon for updated information!