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Project #4A: Composition Abstractions, Media Exploration & Gestalt Theory


Part ONE
Objectives + Goals
Students will create a non-objective, abstract design using India ink on paper.  

Through the image distribution across the pictorial plane, students will recognize the value of placement perspective, while making use of Gestalt theory.  

Students will create a dynamic abstract work that is driven by wet material and their experimental mark making to imply a highly textural driven design.   

Students will activate negative space by making use of a variety of scale, value, pattern, and rhythm in the creation of a non-objective composition. 

The completed designs will emphasize:
Placement Perspective 
Variation of value 
Spatial relations
Full value range and Mark Making variety

Paper Orientation =
Vertical with interior image area floated

Process:
Part 1 
Methods for creating and making a non-objective mark




i. Using your compass, string and yarn, draw a number of circles in varying sizes no smaller than 2" to fill one piece of paper

ii. Experiment with different marking devices using India Ink on dry / semi-dry / dry media using different tools

iii. Towel up some areas with newsprint or paper towels, mask other areas with paper cement that is removed when ink + H20 solution has dried

iv. When dry, cut out each of your circles carefully

v. Make sure you have an excellent variation of VALUE and PATTERN... trade with your colleagues

Process
Design Composition


Do the Math:
Bristol or Drawing pad 18 x 24"
You need an image window that is 12" x 9" floating in the center of your paper substrate

i. Experiment with different values of India Ink in your circles

ii. Add salt for variation and organic effects

iii. Mask off gutter with painters' blue tape -- the outside border beyond the image window with tape - only if you add a value to your background

iv. Make use of one of your favorite ink variations as the background for this design. It should be a light value (below a middle grey)

v. Arrange cut circles on the second Bristol page making use of a variety of VALUE, SCALE and PATTERN VARIATIONS

vi. Activate NEGATIVE SPACE, allowing for VARIED SPACING between objects 

vii. Experiment with OVERLAPPING and CROPPING of your figures on the edges of your image 

viii. When you have found the most varied composition that describes the criteria of this assignment best, glue thoroughly down with paper cement (glue neatly to the edge).

Materials
14" x 11" Bristol or watercolor paper
salt and dish detergent
compass
string or yarn
India ink
scissors
paper cement
Variety of mark making tools including masking tape, brushes, chopsticks, typeface, screws, twigs, et al.

WARNING
Pay close attention to the CRAFT of your design
Title on left lower edge Abstract Variation and Placement Perspective 
Date and sign on the right lower edge


INSPIRATIONAL RESOURCES
The surface of the Moon and other lunar planets
oil slicks on roadways
organic textures
water patterns

Previous Student Work Examples 






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