Value and Realism Unit continues

This week 7th grade artists have been working on their still-life compositions. They are using shading techniques,the concept of overlap,texture,value,and realistic color layering techniques to make their forms look 3-D and life-like.

In addition, students have read about a 17th-18th c. Baroque artist named Caravaggio who used dramatic spot lighting to achieve emphasis and a strong focal point in his realistic works.
Also, this week, the 7th grade students have seen a video on the life and work of Cezanne, who was a French post-impressionistic artist who is most known for his fruit still-life paintings. We have explored his relationship to the development of the modern movement in art and modern interpretations of the still-life as an art form.

Students also practiced color layering and shading techniques with crayons this week to be used as an option in individual student projects to show realistic color.

Realism unit continues

Students are currently still working on their realism and still-life unit of study.

For our art history and art appreciation unit this week we have explored the life and work of Post- Impressionsits known as Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Seurat who were part of the pre-modern period of art.

Students have started to practice using some value on their still-life studies.

In the area of realism and art history, students have read about the life and work of the Italian Baroque artist named Caravaggio who worked from the l7th-18th century. Students learned about foreshortening, dramatic lighting, and spotlighting on subjects for emphasis and dominance. These techniques were used by Caravaggio in his realistic works of art during the Baroque period. The 7th grade art students will use this knowledge to enhance their still-life compositions.

Value unit continues

Lakeview 7th grade art students have continued their unit on value, realism, and still-life drawing.



During this week, students read about the famous French artist named Cezanne who was a master of the still-life painting in the 19th to 20th century. He is considered the father of modern art in the western world.



Each student has completed a value scale this week that shows a range of values or tones from dark to light. This knowledge of tonal values and shading is integral to the study of realism and the illusion of 3-dimensional forms in a still-life compostion.



Students have begun sketching layouts of a variety of still-life objects and geometric solids in preparation for their final composition

Realism and the shading intro

This week Lakeview art students have been learning about geometric solids and geometric shapes and how they relate to drawing a realistic still-life.

Students have viewed a video and read material on the life and work of the famous 17th century artist named Rembrandt. Rembrandt was a master of realism and used lighting in an innovative way to highlight his subjects.

Students have also begun exercises in value and shading techniques which will enhance their knowledge of realistic value drawing. In addition, students have reviewed the Principles of Art and how they relate to the study of a still-life composition and works of art.

In the area of community news, the Indian Prairie Library has an exciting art contest opportunity for student artists in grades 7-12th grade in the community. They are looking for original design ideas for the entry way walls for the new teen lounge.

For complete information and an application for go to: http://www.ipplteenlinks.org/
Appications must be received by October 10,2008.

The Element of Line and Modern art

This past week students finalized their contour line shoe drawings. Several 7th grade students also assisted in the matting and preparation of artwork for display.

In the area of art appreciation and art history, the 7th grade art students explored the Pop Art movement of the 1960's with an art video and class discussion. Students learned about the work of pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein who used contour line and everyday objects in their work. Students saw the connection between the use of contour line in advertising art,comic book characters and the work of the Pop Art period. Students used accentuated contour lines that were both thick and thin to create emphasis and drama in their artwork much like these modern pop artists did.

Also, in another way students were also exposed to another 20th century modern Dutch artist named Piet Mondrian who used line in a good part of his later work. Students explored this artist's intense use of line,shape and color through an art video and later class discussion about his work.

7th Grade Drawing unit

This week 7th grade artists have been working on their drawing skills. Students have been busy using their skills of observation and interpretation in a contour line expressive drawing of their shoe.
Each student is using the elements of line, shape,form,color, and texture to create their interpretation of their favorite shoe. Also, some students are adding expressive color effects and personal embellishments to their shoe drawing to give it a sense of their personality and interests.
Samples of these student drawings can be viewed in the Lakeview Jr. High showcases and Lakeview artroom.

7th Grade Drawing Unit begins

In 7th grade art we began our Drawing Unit with quick contour line drawing exercises of the face and human form. We also reviewed the basic elements of art and how they relate to drawing.

This week art students have been reviewing basic simple geometric solids and 3-D forms as they draw with a cartoon video. Students have begun to practice introductory shading techniques on their cartoon drawings.

In addition students began a worksheet on contour line drawing steps. After a review of sketching layout techniques the 7th grade students have begun to draw their own shoes with a focus on line,shape,and form this week in art.