Layers Pro

 

 

This picture was done on an ipad using a program called Layers Pro. I am aware that it is unfinished, however, we had only a limited period of time to work on it in our Media Center. This project was actually quite tricky to do. Layers Pro is a really neat app to work with; it lets you have different layers for the background and features, you can mix and smear colors, and choose all different types of virtual tools to work with. However, I had a tough time successfully mixing the colors; they almost always came out too light or too dark. In contrast, using real oil pastels, which sounds much harder, was actually easier, and mine turned out beautifully. I didn't have the problem with over-blending the pastels, and everything felt more controlled and manageable. However, technology is important to art. Many amazing things have been created lately that could not be done without the ability of modern technology to manipulate colors, lines, and overall image. Layers Pro makes this picture blended and created simply and beautifully, and a picture is produced that has a sharpness that cannot be produced through other art materials or media.



 

Contour Shoe Drawing

 

This shoe was done with a technique called contour line drawing. In doing this technique, the artist is supposed to draw all the lines and creases in the object, without picking up their pen. This is much more than just a simple outline! Although this may sound tricky and tedious, the contour technique is a valuable skill that can help to enhance an artist's abilities. In drawing a contour, an artist learns to look at the lines, folds and depressions of an object, helping to see the true shape. This can prepare an artist to succeed at shading, because shading should fit the shape of the object drawn. Shading value is, in my opinion, the most important element of art, because it adds dimension and is the first step in bringing a work of art to life. Contour drawing can help you get to this step, and if done well, can produce just as satisfying a product as a fully - shaded piece.

Drawing a cartoon's skeleton probably isn't the first thing on most peoples' minds when they think of an art class -- they might think, "oh, cool, a bunch of high school kids painting pretty pictures!" The thing about drawing a skeleton is that it make you think; you have to really look at the bones and, as Ms. Rossi explains it, draw what you see instead of what you think you see. Drawing a cartoon skeleton is taking it one step further -- not only do you have to imagine what the skeleton should look like, you have to exaggerate the bones to fit that image. I chose Tod from The Fox and The Hound. (Tod is the fox, and I used a baby picture of him.) I was hoping I'd have to exaggerate a lot for this, but unlike some of the characters that had enormous heads or elephant feet, Tod is pretty proportional. I mostly had to exaggerate the shape of his bones, like his head and paws. The most exaggerated feature proportionally are his huge eyes (so cute!). The hardest part by far was figuring out how to draw his hips when his legs were all folded up like that. I figured it out, but I still think the angle at which I drew his legs could be improved. Overall, I really like how he turned out and I'm very happy with the final drawing! :)