Painting Projects

Landscape Painting

2/26/2018

Part I: Monochromatic Atmospheric Perspective Landscape Painting

Objective: Create 1 landscape study in Watercolor that demonstrates atmospheric perspecitve. This study will be achieved with a constrained color pallet.

Directions (Part 1):

Stretch watercolor paper.
Establish color pallet. For the first study we will use 1 primary, 1 complimentary and the color black. For the second study our color pallet will be open ended. Meaning you are free to experiment with a range of colors.
Begin your painting with the Wet on Wet technique. Establish a soft focus blurring effect of blending colors while using a flat brush. Your initial application of color should be light in value.
Allow the first application of color to fully dry. Next, glaze a new application of color over the previous. Each consecutive glaze should get darker while gradually establishing contrast.
Towards the end of the project start using your round brush for smaller details such as water ripples, tree branches, etc. The final application of color should be at its strongest range of vaule.

Rubrics:

Glazing: Final product should demonstrate multiple applications of glazing.
Atmospheric Perspective: Final product should demonstrate a range of values/contrast to establish the illusion of space.
Overlapping Shapes: Demonstrate multiple layers of overlapping forms.
Hue/Saturation: Hue and Saturation should be greyed out in the background and gradually strengthened as forms approach the foreground.
Diminishing size: Shapes such as trees should gradually get smaller as they reach into the background.

Watercolor by Dan Dressler

Part II : Full Color Landscape Painting with Water Reflection

Objective: Create a watercolor study that depicts an atmospheric perspective landscape with water and water reflection.

Directions:

Stretch a sheet of watercolor paper.
Establish color pallet. Consider a range of warm and cool colors. See video below for color suggestions.
Start the painting with a wet on wet technique. Apply a strong saturation of color. Once dry, the color will soften. Cooler / grey colors should be applied to the background, while warmer colors should be applied to the foreground.
To contrast the soft blurred application of paint, apply hard edged applications of paint. Consider increasing the color saturation and value for darker patches of contrast.

Rubrics:

Demonstrate atmospheric perspective: (a) overlapping forms, (b) objects getting smaller towards the background, (c) diminishing detail and color saturation, (d) cool/grey colors in the background, (e) warm colors in the foreground
Evidence of glazing
Contrast between soft and crisp applications of paint.
Craft: Clean and even boarders. Even application of paint with minimal blotching of color.

Collaborative Module

12/18/2017

Project Goal: Create a collaborative mural with common linear movements that connect all panels.

Directions:

Begin by establishing an underpainting. A similar color pallet should be used by all students for the underpainting, though the value of the color may vary.
Students join canvases on a flat surface to determine the shape of the final mural.
Once an order has been established, students should write their names and a sequential number on the back of the their panels.
While the panels are still sitting side by side, Students should collaborate by rolling out masking tape across the surface and connecting edges of panels. Creating random geometrical shapes.
Using an exacto blade, carefully cut the connecting edges of tape so as to free the canvas panels (while keeping the tape on the surface of panel).
Students paint their individual canvas panels. When painting, students should consider tinting an shading of color, mixing down colors to create neutral tones along with bright jewel effects.
Carefully pull of masking tape to reveal stenciled unerpainting and apply final glaze to canvas panel.
Hang work based on the numerical order and enjoy!

Rubrics:

Group participation.
Evidence of tinting and shading of color.
Use of augmented and jewel effect colors.
Evidence of original thinking / use of imagination.

Acrylic Transfers

12/12/2017

Project Goal: Combine acrylic paint and transfered black & white printed images onto a canvas panel.

Directions:

Explore the internet for a variety of visual information to be used as transfers within your painting study.
If needed, use Photoshop to scale information to size and/or apply filters to achieve specific visual effects.
Apply a skim coat of acrylic gel medium directly on the canvas. Apply a skim coat of gel medium onto the face of the printed image (be careful not to get any acrylic gel on the back side of the paper). Place the printed imaged face down onto the acrylic gel surface. Take a clean sheet of paper and place it directly over the top of the printed paper surface and firmly rub the surface flat. There should be no bubbles or elevated surfaces between the canvas and the printed image.
Once dried, dip a textured cloth such as burlap in water. Apply this over the top of the dried paper surface. Gently rub away at the damp paper until all of the paper remnants are rubbed off.
Once you have applied the transfers, incorporate paint into and around the printed
forms.
These steps are interchangeable. For example, you can start with an underpainting, then transfer images, paint, more transfers, etc...
Once project is completed, apply a final varnish over the surface of the painting.

Glossary of terms for Acrylic Painting
Painting Class with Mr. Dressler

Underpainting: In art, an underpainting is an initial layer of paint applied to a ground, which serves as a base for subsequent layers of paint. Underpaintings are often monochromatic and help to define color values for later painting.
Hue: a color or shade that is independent of intensity or lightness.
Saturation: refers to the intensity of color in an image.
Tinting and Shading Color: In color theory, a tint is the mixture of a color with white, which increases lightness, and a shade is the mixture of a color with black, which reduces lightness. A tone is produced either by the mixture of a color with grey, or by both tinting and shading.
Complimentary Color: colors directly opposite each other in the color spectrum, such as red and green or blue and orange, that when combined in the right proportions, produce white light or neutralized tones.
Analogous Colors: are groups of three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, sharing a common color, with one being the dominant color, which tends to be a primary or secondary color, and a tertiary. Red, orange, and red-orange are examples. ... An analogous color scheme creates a rich, monochromatic look.
Glazing: A GLAZE is a thin TRANSPARENT color used over another dry color to create a third color.
Opacity vs Transparency: Transparency in 2D design is simply the quality of being able to see through (or partially see through) one or more layers in an artwork. Opacity is a similar term but refers to the inability to see through a layer.
Acrylic Transfer: Apply the acrylic gel or paint to the surface receiving the image. While it is still wet, place the image face down into the wet medium and allow to dry thoroughly. When the application is completely dry, dampen the paper with a wet sponge. Give it a few minutes to allow the water to penetrate the paper pulp.
Acrylic Varnish: Non-removable. Gloss Varnish — This water-resistant varnish delivers permanent, highly-durable protection that is flexible and non-yellowing when dry. A 100% acrylic polymer varnish, Liquitex Gloss Varnish is water-soluble when wet and can be thinned.
Acrylic Gel Medium: Acrylic Gel medium is acrylic polymer minus the pigment. It is used as an extender to make acrylic paint translucent. Acrylic gel medium comes in a range of thicknesses, sheens and textures.

Rubrics:

Utilize a variety of transfers. Consider size variety, variety of visual subject matter, variety of textures, etc
Demonstrate tinting and shading with color.
Demonstrate use of analogous colors.
Demonstrate use of glazing.

In Progress. By Dan Dressler

By Watertown Art Student

Objective:

Create a watercolor study that incorporates:

Hard edge graphic elements
Designed within a circle
Has overlapping shapes resulting in glazing
Is either symmetrical or asymmetrical
Uses harmonious, one complementary and the color black
Develop a stronger visual vernacular by exploring a variety of geometric and/or organic forms.

Directions:

Stretch a sheet of watercolor paper
Using provided template, trace a circle shape in the center of stretched watercolor paper
On a separate sheet of drawing paper, use the same template to trace out another circle.
If you are making a symmetrical design, Use a ruler to divide the circle vertically in half. Work out design within one half of circle. Use a sheet of tracing paper to copy and re-trace to the opposite side of the circle, giving it symmetry.
If you are making an asymmetrical design, simply draw your design with the sheet of drawing paper .
Once you have worked out your design, use a sheet of tracing paper to copy design to stretched watercolor paper.
Select your color pallet. Use two analogous colors, along with one compliment and the color black.

Rubrics:

Watercolor design is either symmetrical or asymmetrical
Incorporates two analogous , one complementary and the color black
Demonstrates use of glazing
Edges of shapes are sharp and crisp

Student Samples:

Random examples of circle designs:

#2 Primary & Complementary Color Schematic

9/5/2017

Primary & Complementary Painting Challenge

Project Goal: Create a botanical or vegetable/fruit watercolor painting that utilizes Complementary and Secondary colors. Also, painting should address Glazing, color blending and Tinting and Shading

Directions:

Prepare and stretch a sheet of watercolor paper
Select 1 complimentary, 1 secondary color and black to be used for painting
Using a #2 pencil, very lightly draw out subject matter, or work free hand.
Working from light to dark, fill in the shapes with watercolor paint.
Utilize Glazing techniques to produce a "layered" effect of colors. Each previous layer should be dry before applying the next layer of paint.
Utilize Blending techniques to create gradients when needed.
Preserve the white surface of the watercolor paper when needed for highlights. Remember, there is no white watercolor paint!
Blend complements and secondary colors to create grayed down hues.
Blend or glaze black with colors to establish Tinting and Shading.

Resources:

Artists that work with Complementary Colors: http://artcuratorforkids.com/color-in-art-examples/

Student Samples:

Lemon still life Watercolor Demo by Mr. Dressler

#1 Monochromatic Watercolor

8/29/2017

Project Goal:

Create a monochromatic watercolor painting that demonstrates multiple glazed layers of paint and range of tonality.

Directions:

Using a flat brush and a single color, create multiple GLAZED layers of shapes. When overlapping a new layer, be sure that the previous is dry. Use a hair dryer between applications if needed. Control the saturation of paint by considering the ratio of water to paint before applying to paper.

The final result should be multiple overlapping forms that create a range of shapes and tonality.

Vocbulary:

Glazing: Apply wet washes of translucent color over previously dried washes of color.
Value / Tonality: The range of tones from light to dark in a painting.
Monochromatic: Meaning one color.

Rubrics:

Final painting should demonstrate multiple applications of glazes
Final painting should demonstrate a range of value from light to dark.
Final painting should demonstrate use of craft. Edges should be crisp. Each glaze should have a consistent application of paint. Try to avoid blotching!

Painting I Projects

Landscape Painting

Collaborative Module

Acrylic Transfers

Circle Design Watercolor

Objective:

Directions:

Rubrics:

Student Samples:

Random examples of circle designs:

#2 Primary & Complementary Color Schematic

Primary & Complementary Painting Challenge

Resources:

Student Samples:

Lemon still life Watercolor Demo by Mr. Dressler

#1 Monochromatic Watercolor

Project Goal:

Directions:

Vocbulary:

Rubrics:

Visual Art by Dan dressler