Monochromatic Acrylic Still Life - Tinting & Shading of Color

Project Goal:  Using critical observation paint a grayscale monochromatic still life. Once the three tonality system has been addressed, apply thin translucent layers of paint over the surface to create optical blending (tinting & shading).

Directions:

1. Select a photographic image from the internet of simple fruit or other still life.  Make a B&W printout to reference.  Save the original color file to your email. Eventually you will be using your laptop to reference color file.  
2. Prime canvas by applying a ground.  Establish local tones to establish future layers of paint on top of.  
3. Next, begin painting the forms.  Start by blending paint on your palate to establish grey tones that match up with your subject matter.  
4. While the paint is malleable, blend tones to create smooth gradient transitions.
5. Once the grayscale rendering is complete, apply thin translucent washes of colored acrylic paint over the surface of painting.  This will result in optical blending (tinting and shading of color).
6. Once painting is complete, apply a thin varnish over the surface to complete project.

Rubrics:

1. Critical Observation: Painted forms resembles reference photo.
2. 3 Tonal System: Final grayscale painting demonstrates ranges of tone from pure white, to grey and pure black resulting in contrast and pictorial space.
3. Glazing: Evidence of translucent color glazing resulting in tinting and shading of color.
4. Craft: Final work demonstrates control of brush. Crisp clean edges.  Smooth even gradient transitions and even applications of paint. ​

Video Demo on Tinting and Shading of Color
www.youtube.com/watch?v=33_OjNxC15k

Vocabulary Terms for 2D Visual Art Acrylic Painting Project

1. Tinting & Shading: Adding white to color produces tinting. Adding black to a color produces shading.
   
2. Tonality: The color scheme or range of tones used in a picture.
   
3. Figure Ground: The initial layer or surface of the painting which serves as a barrier between the canvas and the paint.  
   
4. Opaque: An application of media that completely covers the surface below.
   
5. Translucent: An application of media that allows the color below to see through.
   
6. Blending: The process of mixing adjacent colors to eliminate abrupt divisions and create a smooth gradation from one color to the next.
   
7. Glazing: Is the process of layering thin transparencies of paint. It creates luminous effects because light can pass through them and reflect back from the surface of the painting.
   
8. Matte: A dull surface as opposed a shiny surface.