Second Element of ART... SHAPE, Lessons in Art by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Lesson Two

Seven Elements of ART

SHAPE
( We have done Line and this week we are doing Shape.)

When contemplating shapes and all the many times I have taught shape to younger students, it consisted of drawings of three shapes and creating a composition with it.  

For the example I chose a rectangle, a circle and a triangle.  You can see there are endless combinations for those three objects, but the key is training your eye for composition and what really works with balance to the eye.  There are also other factors, is the surface a square, a rectangle horizontal or vertical?

Going a little bit further sharing some ideas that are more fun, and maybe this week I would have time to explore it too... is the idea of creating a mandala.  Originally Hinduism/Buddism, Mandalas have come down through the centuries as part of our art, with many parts filtering into all faiths.   

Painted 17th Century Tibetan "Five Deity Mandala

Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

Mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल Maṇḍala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T.  Mandalas often exhibit radial balance.  The term is of Hindu origin. It appears in the Rig Veda as the name of the sections of the work, but is also used in other Indian religions, particularly Buddhism.   In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.  In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.

Why Mandalas?  They use shape to create the art... reflecting shapes that leave balance to the soul and the eye.  

When I look at the Book of Hours, the Celtic cross (one is around my neck), the rosary, the halo, the crown of thorns, and rose windows.... you can find it crossing into the Christian faith by design.  See below....

In my art classes we study the Book of Hours for a six week period, delving into the history and the creation of our individual pages for our own Book of Hours, a prayer book.

You can see in the repeating shapes and design the similarities to the Mandalas using repeating shapes and patterns. 

As I mentioned, the Celtic Cross is another example of the designs used from the Mandalas, as well as the Rose Windows found in many Christian churches.

 

Why Mandalas?  They use shape to create the art... reflecting shapes that leave balance to the soul and the eye.  

So as you do your shape studies this week, you might want to try a Mandala.

I found this wonderful blog of Mandalas to color.  

http://coloringmandalas.blogspot.com/

 

I also found many samples on YouTube but my favorite was this one. Enjoy your week and think of all the different things to do with shape this week. Keep it simple and have fun.  

Laurie Pace

A Texas Artist

Pace Studio 

Graphics One Design

My Blog        My Website      Giclees on Canvas, Prints and Cards     CFAI.co   

GALLERY LINKS

Mirada Fine Art Denver CO,  

The Rare Gallery Jackson Hole WY 
The White Dog Gallery Carbondale, CO.

The Dutch Art Gallery Dallas TX 
South Hill Gallery, Lexington, KY

SR Gallery Hong Kong

Contour Drawings, Element Line with Texas Artists Laurie Pace

CONTOUR DRAWING   Element of Art: Line

  © G.O.D. Laurie Justus Pace      Graphics One Design 2013

Thursday... it is Thursday right?

I decided today to try something different. I have zero idea if I can keep up with it or keep up with you, so let's give it a try.   I have taught workshops for a few years now, but my strength is teaching art.  Not just painting, but teaching art. I have taught art for over 35 years. Just typing this makes me feel old, but I truly have. I have taught in my studio all this time, did about 5 years in private school and probably 6 years in public school in Art.  Having you paint with me daily like other artists do is good, but strengthening your composition skills and sharpening your knowledge in art really gives you a stronger foundation as an artist with your paintings, drawings, sculpting etc.

When I teach a workshop much goes into prep for the class and I stress how important it is to set up an area and be ready to make art. I hope you will go ahead and do that if you do not have an area.  This first lesson is using only two things.. a pencil and a sketch pad. Nothing more or less tool wise, but add to it your eye and learning composition and line and we will jump right in.

There are seven elements in art. Every time I teach a lesson, you need to figure out what elements we are using in that lesson. This first lesson is on something simple, "line".  We are going to do a contour drawing...actually I hope you will do them for a few days.  Find something in the room to draw and pick up your pencil and begin.

  

BUT... you cannot look at your sketch pad and you cannot lift your pencil. The line is ONE CONTINUOUS LINE.  You start and when you stop or lift your pencil you are done.  No cheating and no looking at your sketch pad or you defeat the purpose of strengthening your eye and 'feeling' your way through a drawing. No erasing, no looking...only one continuous line. Start to stop. You can go soft, hard, or in between but you cannot look or lift your pencil.

This first one was drawing my mug of paint brushes in my studio. I knew it would be both fast and fun.  This is suppose to be fun. 

This was of my easel and quite a bit harder.  Then I spotted those paints and my paper palette. I pulled my chair close and put the pencil to the sketch pad.

This should be quite freeing to you. Sketching fast is totally different than one continuous line.  You hand is moving and NOT looking at anything but the object you are drawing. You are after the CONTOUR of what is there. You are studying LINE.  Good luck with yours and let me know how you are doing. This will be the first time I use the InLinkz Link up.  

So please join me by sharing yours. 

An InLinkz Link-up


 A Texas Artist
 Laurie Pace

http://ellepace.com

Coming Soon! Art Lessons with Laurie Pace

COMING SOON... Art Lessons will be appearing!  Join me when you can... we will start once a week starting this coming Thursday.

Positive and Negative Space by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Sharing the gifts...

On Monday night I attended a Girl Scout meeting. I had not been to one of those since I was Stacey's girl scout leader many years ago.

It was my honor to work with these  incredible young scouts with a project and a sharing of my work and history.  With me came paints, canvas, brushes and a story about a box.

We talked about doing things backwards.
We talked about closing ourselves into a box and how we could not see anything altho we could still hear things.
We talked about gifts from God.
We talked about donuts and donut holes. (Positive and negative space)

Main idea was to paint the canvas with lots of color...and while it was drying I told them about myself and my art.  Then we came back to the semi dry canvas with color.  We blocked out the table background and then blocked out the vase and area for flowers. It was successful because they all had fun. Pretty sure at least 75% of them 'got it'.

Enjoy the side show... and don't forget to share your gifts.

Words of my heart, Laurie

Realize you have to climb out of your box... you cannot possibly know what God has for you if you are stuck living in your box.

"But it is as scripture says: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, what the mind of man cannot visualize; all that God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Print Making for the young and old! Art Lessons from A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Printmaking

Once your student completes this lesson they will learn some basic things about print making from the experience.  They will develop a good clear print and they will learn that you can print with many different objects. Two different types of printing will be completed.

You need:

Thick String
Glue
Wood block
Small paint brush
Tempra Paint
Small pieces of thick cardboard
A Brayer
InkPaper to Print on

Make sure your string is thick string. Thin string could be used later once the student understands the process.

You cut off a length of string that allows you to wrap around the block several times creating some type of design.  My students use a paper plate with glue on it (not a lot of glue, just a little bit) and literally drop the string into the glue and using their fingers begin to wrap the string into designs around their block of wood.

This image I found on a blog While the Sun Shines   The writer had found a similar lesson on another site and gave it a try.  I cannot tell that glue was used as I see tape, but I advise using glue. After the glue dries you use a small brush and paint tempera paint on the thick string and you can press it onto the paper to create a pattern.

After you try this print, then use a piece of cardboard and glue the string down in a rhythmic line design.

This time have the student roll an inked brayer over the string and then press the cardboard down onto the paper.

Doing both procedures gives them the ability to see different ways to do simple printing.




For Younger Students I always resort to veggies and fruits

You can cut potatoes in half and apples and other interesting shaped foods. This is Apple Season... so lets get busy with the little guys.  Maybe Terry and I will do this with Lady L next weekend.

I found this lesson very well done on Make and Takes   She has all the pictures and process there for the younger ones.

Chalk and Buttermilk Art Lesson Paul Klee by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

CHALK and BUTTERMILK and Paul Klee by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

As you can tell the inspiration for this lesson would be Paul Klee's work...and I have only named two but there are many.

This first image is "The Red Balloon" painted by Swiss Artist Paul Klee.  His works on paper have a light hearted whimsical look and are radiant in color. His balloon even seems to defy gravite.

While his works seem whimsical, it is rooted in deep thought. When he portrayed a wide-eyed cat sitting back observing a bird in a powerful way, Hitler was in power beginning to ponder out his own prey.


Take time to research some of Paul Klee's work before beginning this lesson.



While contemplating Paul Klee's work, point out to your students how he covers the entire paper he is working on. He uses the full surface.

Vocabulary:  Chalk, Buttermilk, filling space, color choices, shapes

Subjects to consider: Circus, Masks, Balloons, Self Portraits, Parades

Supplies: 

Buttermilk           Chalk in all Colors (discards if you have them)    

Manilla Paper or heavy paper that stands up to 'wet' at least 12 x 18 in sizes Newspaper        

Clean up Buckets filled with water   Sponges, Paper Towels  

Optional Paint brushes for those not wanting to get their fingers gooey or wet.

Before beginning have each student discuss what they will create on their composition... a cat, a mask etc.  Then have them think about the colors they want to use. Have them choose most of their chalk (colors) and put them in their work area.  Have newspaper spread across the area for each student.

Place paper on the students newspaper.   Pour a puddle of buttermilk about two inches in diameter in the center of the paper.  Have the student spread the buttermilk out with their hands quickly. It dries fast. You can add more buttermilk if needed.

First the student will use chalk to draw out the main focus of their work...for example a cat, or a balloon or a mask.  Have them begin filling in color mixing and rubbing the chalk into the wet buttermilk surface on the paper.  If the chalk colors do not mix with the buttermilk, that area that dries with out color are dark and dirty.

Make sure the student fills every area of the paper with colors using their chalk.  (The chalk should be washed and rinsed in water once this lesson is complete...or thrown away.) 

Be prepared for a mess to clean up, but the finished works are incredible.  Send me  pictures of what you do....A Texas Artist

Laurie Pace

Sketch Books are a Must!

Sketches in every Moment for the old and the Young!

Sketching is essential to capturing events and things around you all through the day.  I like to write on my sketches the date and thoughts I had to make me want to sketch away.

My first suggestion to you is to always have a small sketch book in hand.  

I remember when we traveled to New York for the first gallery show of the Five Graces, Conni Togel had her sketch book in hand at all times and in most places.  It was valuable for me to realize that as an artist, it is a tool I need all the time.

You can find them small or mid-sized. The smaller ones will fit in your purse or backpack and not take up much room.

 This is one of my favorites and it is available on Amazon.  It is only 3 x 5 inches in size.

Click here to see this on Amazon.

Moleskine Small Sketch Notebook

Technical Details

• For drawings. 80 pages of fine quality white paper. Imported from Italy. 3" x 5"
• Purchase in quantity today to best build your Moleskine bookshelf. The future is unwritten. Take up your pen and shape it.
• Each Moleskine has a rigid, oilcloth bound 'moleskine' cover, and the acid free paper pages are thread bound.
• They also have an elastic closure and an expandable inner note holder made of cardboard and oilcloth and a removable card with the moleskine history.
• A great way to get things done! Pocket-sized - junk your PDA!