Into Abstraction

Self-Portrait as a Shoe

Self-Portrait as a Shoe

As an introductory project to refresh our observational skills, we are addressing this essential question. Could you create a painting or drawing using a shoe (or shoes) as an anthropomorphic device to become a self-portrait? Can a shoe take on or represent an aspect of your life or personality. Shoes already begin to take on some personality through being worn. Shoes are often worn for specific activities: running shoes, flip flops, etc... Can you accentuate those possibilities to more specifically comment on some aspect of who you are or about your life?

Process: 

• Look at your own collection of shoes. Pick some that might work for this project. Do some drawings of those from different angles getting to know what they actually look like.
• As you are doing these exploratory begin to brainstorm your concept. Is this a portrait of who you are now? Is it more of a life story? Is it a contrast between you as a Haverford Student and who you are in the summer? Are you doing a family portrait with shoes?
• Once you have a concept and some familiarity with the shoes, plan out your composition.
• Develop your final drawing and painting with the media you think will work best (probably not oil paint).

Research Terms: 

Anthropromorphic
Shoe Design
Artists' Shoes

Submitting Blog Posts on Canvas

Blog Post Assignments in Canvas:

The easiest way to let me know that you have completed (or updated) a blog post.

• In Canvas go to Modules or Assignments on the left side column.
• In the new window, click on the assignment.
• In the Assignment window in the upper right corner click on “Submit Assignment”

That will bring up the following window.

• Insert your blog address in the “Website URL” box. Your blog address will be something like “mrfoxfoundations.blogspot.com”
• If you are updating a previous graded blog post and want to let me know you can add a note in the “Comments” space.

2D Art: Portfolio Introduction

Narrative Shoes

Introduction

2D Art: Portfolio Information

“The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done - men who are creative, inventive and discoverers”

Jean Piaget (Swiss psychologist and pioneer in the study of child intelligence, 1896-1980)

Two-Dimensional Art: Portfolio* - is the third level (and most advanced level available to Fifth Form students) in the sequence of drawing and painting based art courses. This course focuses on using the art elements and design principles stressed in lower level courses and developing the skills needed to communicate effectively and passionately. Students will learn to coordinate subject matter, color theory and two-dimensional design to support an overall concept. New artists’ materials including oil paints and gouache will be introduced. Students will begin building a portfolio of high caliber works covering a range of art concepts suitable for college applications, outside exhibitions and competitions and will begin developing a possible theme to serve as the core of future work in the “2-D Art, Senior Thesis” course. Students will document their finished works and the process of creating them using web sites and blogs. Prerequisite: successful completion of one or more year-long art courses and approval of the instructor. “2-D Art: Portfolio*” is intended for the most dedicated students, as successful course work is the result of enthusiasm, focus, and a significant investment of time and work. 

*Honors Level Visual Art: means you must be willing to dedicate as much time outside of class for your artwork as you do for other honors level course work. With our goal of producing “portfolio quality” artwork that demonstrates you range and depth of skills in the visual arts, class time is not enough. Look at your schedule, figure out where you will schedule extra time in the studio and begin using it regularly. We will work to produce the quantity and quality of artwork sufficient to make an impressive portfolio and to have work ready for the many yearly exhibitions and competitions in which we participate. Your actual artwork is the primary means by which we demonstrate your work in the course. Invest time, energy and thought in all of your work, success (and grades) follow.