Merry Christmas

http://www.youtube.com/user/lytleab#p/a/u/0/tX-H-j66D1M

My brother and I worked on a stop animation video.

Merry Christmas!! Enjoy!

The block print for Canterbury Road has gone public

So here is the final version of the design for the new musical Canterbury Road. I have been keeping it under wraps so to speak, since it was still being developed . But now it has been recorded digitally and will be sent out to several different places for publicity, so I decided to publish it.

You will probably be seeing a lot more of it so I hope you don't get tired of it. :-)

The block was cut from that soft rubbery stuff and took about 13 hours just to do the cutting.

The actual printing will be a limited edition of prints. The series will stop at 10 prints.

Mr. P and Mr. G will each get their own original print on rice paper. This one is on regular drawing paper. I tend to like the rice paper better. It has an interesting look and feel to it. But I needed a super clean, sharp print, so that's why I used the drawing paper for this one.

The look of the block is reminiscent of the period of time in which the musical took place. In those days it might have been an etching on a metal plate, or maybe a wood block cut. They didn't have this man-made material at that time. They did often use a paper similar to rice paper.

If any of you would like to do a more elaborate block than the one you did in Foundations class you should try it. Remember though that if you have text, or are very particular about the way it prints, you should probably reverse the image before cutting. We can talk more about that if you decide to do one. I think this would be an awesome addition to your portfolio!

thumbnails.

Changed my animal to a toucan

Thumbnails!

My animal is a seahorse and the predominant characteristic I am focusing on is it's head and neck.

Thumbnails from class!

I Understand!!!!

Depth of Field is the range of distance with in an object that is acceptably sharp. This varies depending on the camera, a perture and focusing disctance, although print size and viewing distance can influence our perception of it. Everything in front or in back of the focal point begins to lose sharpness.
Now that I understand, i look forward to taking amazing pictures with great depth of field!

Information Location

If you are looking for some information concerning what was done in class, or what your homework is, or when things are due, please be sure to check Edline. I am posting every day with a short report of what we accomplished during the class. At the end of that report is listed what is due for homework and when it is due. The report can be found under the section titled CONTENTS, under the heading "Today in class we..." Click on that and you will be able to see each day's report.

Handddssss!

One of my hand pieces. I chose to do a collage because I love finding all the different peices that make it work. Overall I'm happy with this one.

ink drawing

This is my ink drawing not to happy with it. The values look off to me and the composition also. Working with ink was challenging since you can't erase your mistakes.

Background?

An ink picture of a girl in a swimming suit. i think i could have gone darker in places but i liked how the face turned out. didn't know how to do the background without all the ink bleeding into the girl.

Some heels are too high

here is one of my foot sketches that i put a lot of detail and time into. used my ebony pencils and graphite. (was in a cousins wedding and i liked the shoes.)

Question?

When did you want us to bring in our assignments?

It's been busy here lately!

Several of you seem to be busy! That must mean school will be starting soon.
hmmm... what would summer assignments look like if the kids didn't wait until the last minute to get it all finished?
I'm also wondering... What kind of assignment would you do eagerly, or willingly?
Maybe I need to rethink the whole thing. or.. Maybe that's just the nature of the summer experience.
I'm just sayin'....
Any thoughts, anyone?

A Time in My Life

... building the tree house with my brother and my Dad. I am not happy with this at all. I would like to re-do it. Here is the problem: I used Guache and colored pencil on this poster paper. They did not work well together at all. I didn't even want to fill in the faces of the people. It was a disaster. Any suggestions?

Oil Pastel

This is my oil pastel landscape of outside a restaurant I went to in Michigan. My family and I go to this restaurant every year and every year I look forward to seeing this view.

Self Portrait

This is my self portrait. I didn't know how to rotate it? This wasn't what I first had in mind to do. I thought painting a face would be kinda scary but it turns out it wasn't that bad. (This was done on two separate canvases. The black streak is just the background. Its not part of the piece)

uurs

country music

this was the still life with music but i used acrylic paint instead of ebony pencil (sorry mrs brauer!) i chose acrylic paint instead bc i feel the sturdiness represents my family more..this being my family room. i listened to country music bc i felt like that is also family oriented.
sorry its tilted

finished

so i decided to completly turn my peice upside down..literally

earrr

i like ears

need help again

once again i need help..the idea of this piece was to draw my feet..but only my left one. I drew 2 left feet to represent my dancing skills..enough said. what i need help with is the background. i was thinking about doing little feet to represent a feet pattern..but for some reason i dont feel totally committed to doing that..if anyone has any suggestions for a background please let me know!!

Has anyone done Number ten??

I went down to Sawyer point. I was there for probably 4 hours. I did something... It could be art, but I want to hear what everyone else was thinking of doing?

Schools starting! Can't wait to be in the best class ever!!! Art!!!

Have you noticed?

I haven't posted any comments or critiques lately.

I am trying to hold my opinion, hoping that some of you will begin to talk about each other's work.

I'd like you to begin thinking, dissecting, suggesting, cheering about what you are seeing from each other.

The more you write, the easier it gets. So, jump on in and share your opinions.

I will not judge for right or wrong answers, but would love to read some discussion!

unrealllll

Okay, so this turned out pretty good. I used newspaper, acrylics and sharpie. I'm really happy with the colors in this but i feel like somethings missing.

finally, my first post: moody still life

I've been so busy with school i've only been able to work on things a little at a time. But I'm finally done with one of the assignments. yay!

Something Unreal

This one turned out a lot differently than i originally saw it. It was supposed to be just a girl standing by a road at sunset except a little trippier. But as always i decided i wanted a little drippy paint. This is the nearly finished result. I'm going to be adding a real 3-D paintbrush in the girl's hand as soon as i figure out how. Anyway it's brighter and more detailed than it looks but i am generally satisfied with the finished result. Any suggestions?

Oil Pastel Landscape

This piece was particularly difficult because the pastels didn't like the water color paper i used but it turned out a lot better than i expected. It's a portrait of the bridge in downtown loveland by the canoe rental thingy and was taken from inside a canoe. It was really frustrating to get exactly right but i think it turned out well.

Unreal!

Ok so this is the Marc Chagall assignment! The nouns and verbs I used were swim, clock, float, wind, grass, and building. I had a lot of fun thinking of ways to make it look unreal, and overall I had fun doing this assignment! 

excuses, excuses

just wanted to write *something* since i havent put anything up in a while. im working on the memory drawing and the surreal painting at the same time and both are taking a while and almost done. ive also been reeeeeally busy because i *finally* got a job! just wanted to update and let y'all know im not totally ignoring the summer assignments.

another : )

this is the ink drawing piece. this is in my sketchbook and it started out as a thumbnail but i really liked how it turned out. could it be my final piece or do i need to have it on a separate piece of paper?

finito

its a little dark..but it is finished. i really need to get photoshop

My face...

This is one of my projects that i've done over the summer. its me in sunglasses. some of it is done with ink and some is with paint.

A Word to the Wise....

I would like to take a few minutes to point out something. You all know quite a bit about art. How could you NOT???!!!!
But you forget to USE what you know. You get so wrapped up in following rules, and trying to please the teacher you forget to THINK! You just do. You do something, anything. But does it have meaning to you? Have you made it relevant? Have you pushed the boundaries of what the material can do? Are you having fun? Do you know what you want your work to say?
Think about the tools you are using. Think about what makes them different from other media. Think about what makes watercolor, or charcoal, or whatever so special. How is it different from other stuff you use? Then push it.
Use those characteristics to the breaking point. For example: because charcoal is "movable" use that quality, when you use charcoal. Put it on the paper and allow it to move; force it to move. Don't try to make it look so perfect. The ability to show fingerprints and smearing can make your drawing look more emotional, more expressive, and your own mark making makes it so much more personal!
When painting, don't always blend everything perfectly. Being able to see brush marks is exciting in a painting. That's what keeps us so interested in the Impressionists' work.
Play with your materials. See what they can do. Experiment, enjoy, think!!!!

I'm Baaaaaaaaack

Okay. I'm back from traveling. I'm in Cin'ti now, for tonight. I have driven for about 10 1/2 hours today and am mentally fried. I hope to get up tomorrow and put some comments on here for the ones who have posted. Stay tuned.....

Nouns and Verbs

I Spy: Think, Love, Adore, Laugh, Jump, Music, Car, Waterfall, Flip flop, Smile, Heels, Nail polish.

Acrylic on Canvas.

I LOVE PAINTING!!

A Big Thank You

Thanks to the two of you for posting.

I'm sorry it may take me a few days to answer because I am off for Memphis tomorrow morning - EARLY!!!!

I want to give you a thoughtful answer so I will wait until I get back. Keep making good art!

What should i do?!

This is the self-portrait assignment. I think it does sort of look like me, but I feel like something looks funny about it and I'm not sure what to do to make it better... any suggestions?

Now Hear This!

My Mom's ear! I don't know if I'm done yet?

Any suggestions?

The Ear is a hard body part to draw!!!!!

Jackie and I went to the Art Museum today.  I think we were expecting something totally different.  We wanted to see more modern art? We got bored with the portraits. But we both ended up finding something  interesting to draw!

Ummm... where am I? Really!

Starting on Sunday I will be out of town and even far from Columbus.
I am going to a class for experienced AP teachers in Austin, Texas. I will return on Saturday the 18th, only to leave again on the 19th for a computer class in Memphis.
Although I am away I will have my tablet and will be able to check what's going on with you. So... be sure to work and post what you have done for all of us to see and share.
I too will be working and may even post some things once I get a chance to sit still long enough.

I look forward to seeing your work!!! Hope your summer is going well.

Ink Still Life

This still life is set up on my kitchen counter.  The ink was hard to work with because you can't erase your mistakes.  I didn't understand how to make the ink a lighter gray.  I think I did the best on the spatula. Ink is not my speciality but I would like to experiment more. 

need help

This is the oil pastel assignment..i cant tell if the image is blurry or not but i need help!! its from a picture of a lake and trees..i know were not suppossed to worry about small details but it just seems unfinished and i dont know what else to do.

Off the Radar...

I am going to be away from my computer from Sunday until late Wednesday night. If I don't write to you don't think I am uninterested.

Actually, I am suddenly encouraged by the recent postings. Good work, you two!!!!

Remember you are making art for you not for me. It should be something that has meaning to you.

Mary's advice was good. Doing a small piece to get back into it again is a good idea. Then jump in with both feet and really go for it. Try to make art making a habit. It will get easier and more interesting. We have a lot to accomplish this year. Let's make it fun... not a drag.

Look at other people's work. THINK about what you want to say. then figure out how you can make that happen.

And please don't get hung up on "rules"!!!!!

Self Portrait: take two

These are my first two attempts at the self portrait, neither of which turned out exactly how I wanted. The original sketch looked a lot more like me but I think there is sort of a resemblance in the second painting.

Attack of The Thumbs!!

I know. I know. This wasn't in the assignment. I just have been putting this piece to the side and finally decided to finish it.  I recommend to all of you. before you do the assignments do something small on your own. It gets you to start to think and be back in the mood again. I'll put an actual assignment up soon! I promise! 

The picture explains how people are about their cellphones!! This is a message to all people who are on their phones 247. Stop!! People hate it when you are constantly on the phone while you are with them.  It's rude!!! After looking at this you should have learned a valuable lesson to not ever be on the phone when other people are present. Thank you for your time :). You think I should send this in to a cellphone supplier?? for an ad? 

P.S. I am not pointing any fingers at the girls in our class. (Just in general) 

jsyk... just so you know

I am going to be without internet access for the week... or at least until Thursday.

I will be back in touch after that. My tablet is in for a "tune up" this week at school and I will be in Columbus - so I am without my MAC. If I get a chance I will try to check in at a local library to get online. I have looked at Google maps to see where one is in the area.

Besides I need to get a Columbus library card. Hmmm... that sounds strange, but stranger things have happened in life.

PS. Trish, if you read this, I hope you're having a good summer and let me know if you hear about AP before I do. (Yes I noticed you are a follower. Right now I could use a couple of good leaders!)

tc all

make some great art

Maybe I didn't make it clear...*scratching head*

Well it's getting close to 2 weeks since school has let out. Interestingly enough, I still don't see any new artwork on here. Maybe I wasn't as clear as you needed me to be. Maybe you are waiting so that you are not the first one. Maybe you're thinking "Age before beauty". Maybe you're not thinking at all. I don't know. But here's what I'm thinking:

Work is always better when it is thoughtfully made. A little research, a few thumbnails, a bit of hocus-pocus and there ya' go - Artwork! It's not all that hard, but you do have to put forth the effort. As I am thinking about the summer assignment, I remember there being enough pieces assigned that there is one for each week. Some of you may not have done the math yet. Some of you may need a bit of a break from school before you jump back into the process. But the truth is you're starting to make me wonder.

I wonder if they are going to do those pieces?

I wonder if I wasted my time making that whole summer assignment packet?

I wonder if they have lost it already?

I wonder if they are going to wait until the last minute to do them all?



Keep a few things in mind:

*Whether or not you are fulfilled when doing ANYTHING depends on your state of mind. If you approach the event with an open mind and a positive outlook, or hoping to learn something, then you will probably enjoy the experience more.

*You make better art if you don't wait until the last minute and try to rush to get everything done in a short amount of time.

*This is an opportunity to keep in touch with each other throughout the summer in regard to the topic of art. You can blog about whatever, but I will not be joining you on Facebook, so if you want some feedback, here is where I am.

*Art in the fourth year, whether AP or Portfolio, is an elective. That means it is YOUR CHOICE to be a part of this. That is a cool deal but as with all cool deals it carries some responsibility. You have to participate in a MEANINGFUL WAY.

*As you apply to the schools you hope to attend, there will be many others fighting for a spot too. They may have spent some of their summer making art. Who do you think will fare better?

*Then there's the issue of the grade book... enough said about that.

So again I "invite you to get involved. Make some art, read about some art, do anything that you can post and write about on here. Let's get this thing going. Who will assume the leadership role(s) for the group this year?
... just wondering...

the art exam

this is my kitten macy. macy likes to attack anything that moves. she saw me with colored pencils and was intrigued. this is her trying to eat the colored pencil as i color

Exam

I finished my exam! I chose to put up the first strawberry.  I think if I chose any of the other ones, it would have been to random. But I do like this one the best! Chocolate strawberries are probabbly the healthyest dessert invented.  I love to paint the strawberry. My favorite part of the peice is probabbly the background.  I love working with the pallet knife.  The background looks like it tastes as good as the strawberry would taste.  I have offically decided that I love to paint! along with all the other mediums like oil pastel and color pencil.  Well thats my exam. I want to see everyone else's!!!!!

Butterflies and Tea Parties

This weekend i went to a tea party at Bon Bonnerie! It was something different then just hanging out and going to the movies. we got all dressed up and even had hats. after tea and sweets we went to the butterfly exhibit! Felt like a little kid again!

well now awesome i'm finally on! decent picture coming soon...

.....?

so i FINALLY joined the blog :) but im a little confused how to get a picture for myself..and if i stay on for much longer my computer might malfunction. ill try again later..and add pictures so we can all stay updated!

Bad hair day?

Sorry, i just had to put this up!! this sums up our art class.

Here's the Reality of It

I couldn't have you thinking that I was really neat when I seriously am not.  I am posting a picture of my drawing table as it is most of the time.  My painting area is really on hold right now.  Truth be told, I am uncomfortable calling myself a painter.  I am okay with watercolor, but not so much with acrylics and oils.  My goal every summer is to just jump in and do it.  I do however usually find something else to distract me.  Maybe being in Columbus will help.  I won't have as much to do since I am am not at home.  Heck, I might even find I'm not as stinky at it as I thought.  In any case here is my REAL work space, aside from the computer I mean.  I'll post a picture of that some other day.

My space

Since you posted what one of your working spaces are, i wanted to show a contrast from how neat your looks to my cluttered area. This is stuff I've done, stuff that inspired me, and the rest of it is just stuff.

One of my work spaces

So here is the first entry. It is done for experimental purposes only.

I am demonstrating how to work with the blog.    This is an alcove on my second floor.  I have the space set up for painting.  This area is just outside of my studio room, in the hallway.