Composition Zone

1. Composition Study
1.1. Draw out an non-objective design on a half sheet of paper which demonstrates the principle behind the compositional formula of:
1.1.1. Leading lines
1.1.2. Golden Mean
1.1.3. Repetitive patterns
1.1.4. Parallels and Perpendiculars
1.1.5. Simplicity
1.1.6. Rhythm
Label each example to the above title.

2. Expressive Non-objectivity
2.1. Using the four words provided by your teacher, visualize the emotion associated with each of the words using pure nonobjective elements.
2.2. Use a combination of curvilinear, rectilinear, thick, thin lines, shapes, forms, and color to create a variety of rhythms, values, textures and depth of illusion.

3. Speed Drawing
3.1. Using a timer, find an object of your liking and render it as well as you can for 20 minutes.
3.2. Draw the same object in 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 5 seconds, and 2 second.

4. Text Study
4.1. Draw out a significant phase, which is emotionally laden in a distinctive font of your own creation.
4.2. Draw out the same phrase with an established font.
4.3. Draw out another page with the same phrase and another established font.
4.4. Respond in writing, how does the font selection affect the viewer. You may have to ask friends and family to respond to this question.

5. Word Angst
5.1. Select a word that has an emotional tie to it.
5.2. Draw out the word in a way which illustrates the emotional content.

6. LocoMotion
6.1. Find an example of your favorite mode of transportation.
6.2. Sketch it from three different angles.
6.3. Find the most interesting angle and render the transport.

7. The Parties Over
7.1. Finish you dinner on day this week.
7.2. Render the finished setting on one page.
7.3. Include as much details as possible.

8. Texture Collage
8.1. Create a collection of 12 half-sheets of sketchbook paper texture patterns.
8.2. Create a one design using the collage technique from the 12 half sheets of paper that creates a full background and images on a whole sheet of sketchbook paper.

9. Get Your Mojo Going
9.1. Find an object that is important to you right now.
9.2. Set up the object with dramatic lighting.
9.3. Render the object completely with the background included.

10. Under the Sea, Under the Sea
10.1. Find photographs of underwater objects and scenes as studies for the drawing.
10.2. Compose an image that has strong composition.
10.3. Render out the image.

11. Plant Life Study
11.1. Select a living plant to draw.
11.2. Create three boxes on the drawing paper with thick dark borders.
11.3. Render three parts of the plant in close-up that captures the entire plant.

12. Surreal Deal
12.1. Recall some of the dreams you have had.
12.2. Select one that could be illustrated in a surreal way.
12.3. Create a composition that demonstrates the dream-like world of surrealism.

13. Drapery Study
13.1. Create a still life at your home which has objects completely draped in a sheet.
13.2. Render out these objects in full tonal range using graphite.
13.3. Follow the folds and especially pay attention to the curves at the end of the folds. The folds establish the realism of the drawing.

14. Letter Composition
14.1. Select your initials or monogram from your name.
14.2. Sketch out the letters in a design, which has symmetrical balance.
14.3. Sketch out the letters in a design, which has asymmetrical balance.

15. Fractured Fairy Tale
15.1. Take assigned grid drawing and grid the image to the sheet provided.
15.2. Draw in the image in full value and tonal range.
15.3. Accuracy is a must for this assignment as all parts will be assembled into one drawing.

16. Magnifying Glass
16.1. Select a portion of a small object that you will scale much larger to take up the entire sheet of paper.
16.2. The object should be abstract up close and clear when viewed across the room.

17. The Usual Suspects
17.1. Select ten objects that you use everyday.
17.2. Render them all with one object per page or doubles or triples composed on a page.

18. Open Agenda
18.1. Choose a theme of your own.
18.2. Draw 60 minutes worth of drawing.

Color Studies

19. Color Wheel
19.1. Create a color wheel by mixing watercolor paints on the sheet provided.
19.2. Create all the appropriate tints and shaded of the colors.

20. Homage to a Square
20.1. Create four concentric squares on the sketchbook page
20.2. Paint in a monochromatic scheme
20.3. Repeat 7.1 and paint in a complementary scheme
20.4. Repeat 7.1 and paint in a split-complementary scheme
20.5. Repeat 7.1 and paint in a triad scheme
20.6. Repeat 7.1 and paint in a neutral scheme

21. Stamp Matrix
21.1. Using the provided sheet create the matrix for a four postage stamp set.
21.2. Draw out the design lightly with a pencil and use watercolor to create the color.
21.3. The set should hold together as a group or individuals.
21.4. The set and individual stamps should be strong enough to be clear when viewed from the other end of the room.

22. Wonderful World of Disney
22.1. View a Disney animated movie.
22.2. Figure out the color combinations of the major characters and the background.
22.3. Describe in a one-page paper, what was the Disney team doing with color to create vivid.
22.4. Sketch one scene with colors indicated on a single sheet of paper.

It’s All a Matter of Perspective

23. Perspective Drawing
23.1. Draw your room in two-point perspective. Get as much detail as possible in this drawing.
23.2. Draw your room in one point perspective as you’ve done above.

24. Hockney’s Reverse Perspective
24.1. Draw your family room/ living room in reverse perspective.
24.2. Establish the vanishing point away from the viewer and draw the perspective lines to the vanishing point.

25. A New Perspective on Things
25.1. Draw a normal object in a new light.
25.2. Turn it, force the perspective, or flip.

26. Atmosphere
26.1. Draw out a scene from nature.
26.2. Lightly sketch foreground, mid-ground, and background on the paper provided.
26.3. Plan out a watercolor painting using washes of color.
26.4. Create a sense of atmospheric perspective in the painting.

27. Utopia
27.1. Draw out a cityscape for an outer-space colony.
27.2. Use two or three point perspective in the drawing.
27.3. Add details which make the city look real.
27.4. Add an outer-space background.

Figure Drawing

28. Gesture Drawing
28.1. Using a 4B pencil, draw out gestures of a figure so that it takes up the full sheet of paper.
28.2. Watch not to overwork the drawing so it is too dark. Glean just the important lines in these studies.
28.3. Draw 6 figures in this style spending 15 minutes per study.

29. Portraits in Pencil
29.1. Focus on the face and shoulders of 4 people.
29.2. Render four portraits of friends or family.
29.3. These images should be one sheet each in the sketchbook.

30. Kid’s Stuff
30.1. Find a younger child (sibling, cousins, or neighbors).
30.2. Render a profile image of the child’s bust.
30.3. Render the child’s bust in a 3/4 profile

31. Self Portraits
31.1. Using a mirror sketch five self-portraits.
31.2. Using a mirror render two self-portraits.

32. Hand Studies
32.1. Sketch five hand gestures.
32.2. Render four hand gestures.

33. My Left Foot
33.1. Remove your shoe and sock and have your bare foot ready for drawing.
33.2. Sketch 4 versions of your foot.
33.3. Render the best perspective your chose.

34. Man’s Best Friend
34.1. Sketch out two images of a pet from life.
34.2. Render one of the sketches.

35. I Read it in the New York Times
35.1. Using a newspaper as the background, draw out a composition with people in it.
35.2. Work one line drawings and some field colors in magic markers.
35.3. Work one with just line drawings using a medium Sharpie pen.