LESSON 3
Recording Personal Events
Artists often create works of art as a reaction to a personal event. Leo Twiggs drew on
his personal experiences with his sons when
he painted Blue Wall (see Figure 5–7). Look
at the image for clues. What are the two boys
doing? Notice how the boys are facing away
from one another, yet they are touching. Notice the curved lines that outline the two figures. What clues are given about the boys?
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
You will select and use a variety of appropriate art materials and tools to create a
painting in traditional ways. Illustrate a reaction to a personal experience, such as a
school or community event. You will apply
design skills to effectively communicate ideas
and thoughts in everyday life. Use the principle of rhythm to organize both positive and
negative space in your work. Emphasize your
positive shapes using warm colors. Create
contrast by using cool or neutral colors in the
negative spaces. Use balance to organize the
art elements of shape and color.
background, so simple? What do you
think was his intent when creating
Blue Wall?
2. Make a list of personal experiences or
school and community events that have
had an effect on you. For example, the
watercolor shown in Figure 5–8 conveys
loneliness the student artist felt while
attending a school dance. What clues
does the student provide to show that
emotion? Look over your list and select
one experience. Think about the details
of the event. Apply design skills by
using the art elements and principles to
communicate your ideas and thoughts.
Make several sketches based on your
selected experience. Use the principle of
rhythm to organize the positive shapes
and negative space in your composition.
Use repeated shapes to create rhythm.
Use formal or informal balance when
you organize your shapes and colors.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
●
●
●
●
●
●
Sketchbook, pencil, eraser
12 16-inch heavy white drawing paper
or watercolor paper, water container
Watercolor paints, mixing palette
Various-sized paint brushes
Paper towels, newspaper
Fine-line permanent marker or oil pastels
WHAT YOU WILL DO
1. Look closely at Figure 5–7. Notice how
the boys are drawn using simple shapes.
They are both sitting quietly. Twiggs uses
informal balance in organizing the shapes
of the boys and the wall. Why do you
think he left the negative space, or
100
Chapter 5
Art Criticism and Aesthetics
Figure 5–7 Twiggs creates his paintings using batikdye and wax-resist techniques.
Leo Twiggs. Blue Wall. 1969. Batik painting. 61 76.2 cm
(24 30). Private collection.
3. Select your best sketch and transfer it
with pencil onto your paper. Use your
fine-line marker or oil pastels to outline
your image. Add warm colors in your
positive shapes, using watercolors and a
brush. Paint some areas of your painting
with bolder colors by using less water
with your paints. Use your palette to mix
colors. Use a cool or neutral color in your
negative space.
4. After your painting has dried, write a
brief description of your intent on the
back of your work. Explain the event and
the emotions you experienced.
5. Title and display your work with those of
your classmates in a group exhibit.
Figure 5–8
Evaluating Your Work
●
●
Describe What personal experience did
you choose to illustrate?
Analyze How did you apply design
skills to communicate ideas and thoughts
in everyday life? How did you use the
principle of rhythm to organize positive
shapes and negative space? What colors
were used to create contrast? What type
of balance did you use to organize your
shapes and colors? Which is the most
important element in your work? Explain.
Student work. A watercolor recording a personal event.
REFLECTIVE THINKING
Critical Evaluation. Analyze the original artworks of your peers displayed in your class
exhibition. Form conclusions about formal properties, historical and cultural contexts, intents,
and meanings. Do the artworks reveal anything
about the artists’ culture? Discuss your responses with classmates. Ask your peers to explain their intents and the meanings of their
works.
Becoming an art critic is one artrelated career you might choose.
Survey and identify other career
choices or opportunities in art at
art.glencoe.com.There you will also
find:
●
●
Artist Profiles
Interactive Games
Lesson 3 Recording Personal Events
101