art blog @artleaguemdcnorth - Tumblr Blog

2D SUMMER CLASS - LAST CLASS/

6 -2026

Summer Art , 2026/ 2D

ALBUM COVER

BOOKS

2D CLASS / FINAL CURATED PORTFOLIO - 6/15/2026 ( DUE DATE , 6/17/26 Weds at 9am )

This is the last part of the class. As I stated on the first day, today through Weds student will review their portfolio and submit a corrected and labeled Curated Final Portfolio with an final artist statement.

CURATED FINAL PORTFOLIO -

Your artwork should reflect your visual sensitivity, your intellectual curiosity, your creativity, your motivation and self-discipline.

Your selections in a good portfolio allow you to present your technical and creative prowess.

In curating your own portfolio you

select work that expresses those qualities.

You are showing what you have learned and how you have perfected those techniques.

Most of you will be continuing your education in the arts.

Learning how to select your best work will be an asset to you later on and this assignment gives you an opportunity to practice .

As you begin to select your assignments, choose those artworks that best show your skills and progress in class throughout the semester.

This final Curated blog will close the semester as you show your participation in the studio courses.

Below are some tips on perfecting your portfolio:

-Choose your best completed work.

-Use correct lighting at home to photograph your work.

- Make sure you frame your work correctly.

- Do not show floor , bed sheets, slanted images , or images with poor lighting.

This is the wrong way of framing your work . This is an example of how NOT to take a picture. Do not show floor, table, pillows or a slanted image.

Note: Both images created by the late great Jean Michel Basquiat c.1982

This is the right way of framing your artwork.

Stand in front of your work.

Make sure the image is not distorted.

Use a good light source.

Near a well lit window or area would be best.

Crop any surrounding information that does not refer to the work.

Note:

If you are missing any of these required pieces, note it in your submission with an explanations as to why you did not complete the work.

Complete your entry with a final artist statement regarding your learning experience throughout the semester and a final thought on your goals and expectations for next semester .

Missing work will result in a lower grade.

FINAL ARTIST STATEMENT

In your learning experiences, you will want to comment on the following:

A) Your favorite materials

B) Your favorite assignment

C) Comment on some obstacles you may have experienced this semester (learning wise) and how you were able to overcome those obstacles.

D) How you were able to overcome any challenges you may have had using materials or with a particular assignment during the semester.

E) Final thoughts regarding your learning experience throughout the semester and a final thought on your goals and expectations for next semester or if graduating going forward in your career.

2D Class Assignments -

1) Video Reflection responses

2) Franz Klein sketches (3)HW sketchbook.

3) Franz Klein inspired paintings (2) starting w/ White / starting w/ Black (HW)

4) Line Assignment (4) acrylic or ink

5) Chaos & Order (2) *paint, cut & paste

6) one Drawing a day/ Principles (7 drawings )HW

7) 5 White Shapes on Black background /

8) 5 Black Shapes on White Background

9) 6 inch square Swatch study (sketchbook) acrylic

10) Color theory studies /2.5 inch square w/ 1nch insert (24 squares sketchbook) acrylic

11) Albers Inspired square Analogous (2 (6) in squares ) sketchbook HW

10) 3 colors become 4

11) vibrating Edges

12) Personal Color Wheel Abstract Painting (Bristol).

13) Color studies for midterm

14) Midterm

15) Virtual Museum inspired paintings (3) in lieu of Collage

16) Final assignment - Book & Album Cover with artist statement.

17) FINAL Class artist statement ( this is different than the statement related to final assignment )

Curated portfolios will be turned in on Wednesday 6/17/26 at 9am.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

2D FINAL ASSIGNMENT CRITIQUE / MONDAY 6/15/26 2/2

2D Class , Final Assignment will begin at 9:00 am.

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · 2D Class Finals

--CB---

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · Final Assigment · Book Cover: The Odyssey by Homer Album Cover: Doo-Wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars Artist Statement:

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · Final assignment Artist’s Statement These two paintings are part of an ongoing inquiry into the re-interpretation of trea

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · For this project, I chose the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and the album CTRL by SZA. I selected Persepolis

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · 2D: FINAL · Artist Statement: For this assignment, I chose a book I recently finished reading, and an album that holds lot

GABRIEL

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · 2d class final · Artist statement For the book cover I chose The Bfg by Rohald Dahl, for me personally the book matches wh

KRYSTEN

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · 2D Class: Final | 6/13/26 · Book Cover: Album Cover: Artist Statement: For my final assignment, I chose the novel The Fi

TIFFANY

💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · Art 1202c: final 06.14.26 Book: Mexican gothic Álbum: How to be: Love, Friends, FreeFall. For my final I chose to mak

2D FINAL ASSIGNMENT CRITIQUE / MONDAY 6/15/26 - 1/2

2D Class , Final Assignment will begin at 9:00 am.

Book Covers and Album

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PART 1

No Work

2D CLASS. FINAL ASSIGNMENT - BOOK & ALBUM COVER - (WEEK 5) 6/8/2026

Good Morning students, you have made it to final part of the semester.

We will have a virtual meet at 9:00 am on Monday . Please try to enter the chat ten minutes before.

We will go over the Midterm Critique and then the last instructions to submit the Final Assignments for the semester.

In addition to completing the Final, students will also use this final week to submit the Museum artworks on Weds.

Also, students can resubmit works you feel need to have a grade revision and submit all work that is late.

Please use your time wisely.

The Final Critique will be on Monday 6/15/26 at 9:00 am.

Next week on Tuesday (6/16) students will submit a final Curated Portfolio

following guidelines stated in a post I will add to the class blog on Monday.

The final assignment consists of

CREATING TWO WORKS OF ART ON TWO CANVAS BOARDS.

Students will choose their favorite of the following to create this final assignment:

1) A favorite book. 2) A favorite music band.

BOTH ASSIGNMENTS WILL REQUIRE THE following materials:

2 CANVAS BOARD

16 x 20 (book) & 15 x15 (album)

(one for each project)

Acrylic paints & Brushes

A) BOOK COVER

Imagine that an agent is hiring you to create a book cover. How would you approach this project?

What imagery can you create that can engage an audience to buy the book?

If you were hired to launch Alice in Wonderland for a new generation what imagery would you create to attract readers of the 21st century.

During class this morning, start brainstorming ideas.

Think about the imagery you would use, as well about typography.

What lettering would best suit your concept.

How large or small should they be.

Do some preliminary drawings in your sketchbook .

Once you have zeroed in on your idea , begin the project.

Once you decide on an idea, begin working on the book cover.

B) ALBUM COVER

Choose a favorite band.

Decide on the imagery to create an Album cover.

In the spirit of 70’s Album Art you will create your own original idea.

Research different ideas regarding Album art of the 70′s.

Create a few sketches and ideas in your sketchbook.

Once you have decided on a specific band, you will create a poster style Album Cover.

Final important points for this assignment:

You are free at the end of the semester, to use any style for this assignment.

That means you can express your idea in any of the following styles below:

Representational imagery Abstract Non-Objective

You are creating a work of art with a specific purpose and function.

You need to think about incorporating typography (lettering) accurately .

Language can not be an eye sore.

Words in this assignment need to complement the artwork not compete or win over the design.

At this point in the semester think about what you have learned.

Use that knowledge to create two amazing art works.

This is will be your FINAL Assignment.

All work with an artist statement is due at noon on SUNDAY, JUNE. 14th, 2026 by 5pm.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The Artist Statement is a self reflection on your art process.

What book and album did you choose and why?

How did you approach the project.

Finally close your statement by commenting how you feel about the outcome your project both the book and album cover.

This is a college level writing assignment.

NOTE: Please keep in mind that I need time to collect the work and create a Critique Blog for Monday’s class.

Due date is non negotiable.

Here are examples from previous semesters:

BOOK COVER

ALBUM COVER

DUE DATE FOR ASSIGNMENTS:

WORK SUBMITTED TO YOUR TUMBLR PORTFOLIO BY SUNDAY JUNE 14TH 2026 @ 5PM for ARTWORK AND ARTIST STATEMENT.

Books from a bookstore :

This year’s competition saw students and emerging creatives reimagine classic fantasy novels Night Watch and A Wrinkle in Time

2D CLASS, MIDTERM Critique - Monday June 8th, 2026

Below are the submissions for the class that we will review at the critique today at 9am.

2) L

3) G

4) EM

5) CB

6) CS

8) AZ

9) AA

10) J

NO WORK

2D Class, Assignments Completed up to this date- 6/4/2026

Here are the assignments completed up to now for this class.

The assignments will provide a percentage of both the classroom management and Portfolio grade up to now.

Check LIST

1) Video Reflection responses

2) Franz Klein sketches (3)HW sketchbook.

3) Franz Klein inspired paintings (2 works) starting w/ White / starting w/ Black (HW)

4) Line Assignment (4 total )

A)Horizontal / Vertical

B) Diagonal

C) Curved

D) Use al all lines. acrylic or ink

5) Chaos & Order (2 total) *paint, cut & paste

6) One Drawing a day for 7 days showing your understanding of Principles of Art (7 drawings ) HW

7) 5 White Shapes on Black background

8) 5 Black Shapes on White Background

9) 6 inch square Swatch study (sketchbook) acrylic

10) Color theory studies /2.5 inch square w/ 1nch insert (24 squares sketchbook) acrylic

11) Albers Inspired square Analogous (2 (6) in squares ) sketchbook HW

10) Assignment 3 colors become 4

11) Vibrating Edges

12) Personal Color Wheel Abstract Painting (Bristol).

13) Color studies for midterm

14) Museum inspired paintings (3) in lieu of Collage ( still pending but must be completed Sunday).

This list will allow students the ability to check their work to make sure you are on track to finish the semester with a good grade.

2D Class, Midterm Assignment: Create a Non-Objective Composition with a limited Color Palette - 06/01/26 (Monday)

In regular semesters we plan the midterm for halfway through the semester.

During the short summer program, this happens during week four.

Beginning today and through this week, students will use ALL available class and HW time to complete this assignment.

NOTE that the Midterm is the largest grade of the semester.

As you decide on how to develop a successful idea consider the factors involved in providing you that grade.

I have noted them below.

This assignment will not get done in one class.

You have today to start planning .

You will begin working on this assignment immediately after class..

Students will need to use the following days to work on this:

Monday (06/01/26) - Begin the assignment and work through the following week.

You will have this week and weekend, to get this done.

Monday ( 06/08/26) - We will have the Midterm Critique at 9am .

Post your final work by 5 pm on Sunday, June 7th with a brief artist statement.

I will be using Sunday to collect the assignments from your portfolio.

That is why the work needs to be posted promptly on that day to your Tumblr.

Immediately after the critique we will review once more the instructions regarding Museum assignment ( this assignment needs to get done between this week and next) and instructions for the Final assignments for the semester.

MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT:

Create a Non-Objective Composition with a Limited Palette.

MATERIALS

Bristol Paper - 4 sheets

Acrylic paints

Brushes

Glue stick

Scissors

ILLUSTRATION Board (15 x 15 or 16 x16 )

Note : The illustration board comes in a standard size of 15 x 20 or 16 x 20 . You need to ask the store to cut it for you to 15 x15 or 16 x 16 .

illustration board

The outcome of your work needs to show that you have spent time considering all options to create a successful working composition.

This assignment will require proper planning to develop a concept that shows you have learned and understand the principles of art and how they work together to create successful works of art.

Throughout this assignment you also will highlight your understanding of color theory , line and shape, the principles of repetition, variety, balance , emphasis, scale and compositional unity.

Go back to the video on Ethel Adnan and look at the way she uses color for additional inspiration.

What color combinations does she use?

Etel Adnan “ Yosemite ”

E A

Go back on your notes and review those concepts as you work to develop this idea.

All the work you have been doing since the start of the semester has prepared you to complete this assignment.

For this assignment, color, line and shape will be the driving force behind your design to create an interesting composition.

Create FOUR ( 6 INCH ) SQUARES:

You will create a Non-Objective composition , using ONLY FOUR (6 INCH) SQUARES in a cut and paste design that also utilizes a limited palette of only FOUR COLORS.

Choose FOUR COLORS:

THIS IS THE KEY TO THE ASSIGNMENT, it is important to choose four good colors.

There is no limit as to how much of any of the four colors are used in each composition as long as all four colors are represented in each 6 inch square.

The FOUR COLORS should be harmonious and should represent a full range of value. Each of the four ground sheets (6 inch square) will consist of one of the four colors.

You will represent each of the four colors in each square as your background color.

The additional three colors in each square will be used to balance the visual weight of each color as you create your design and you balance the composition.

You will have four different compositions that can stand on their own but can also work and relate to each other. THIS IS A CUT AND PASTE ASSIGNMENT.

You will use glue stick to attach the shapes to your surface sheet.

You will layer each color.

That means that, if the ground sheet is blue and I am also using green, yellow and pink , I can lay the (green , yellow and pink) on top of the surface sheet and each other depending on my design.

YOU WILL HAVE UP TO FOUR LAYERS OF COLORS IN ONE DESIGN FOR EACH 6 INCH SQUARE.

NOTE:

NO NEUTRALS MAY BE USED (BLACK, WHITE, GREY , BROWN)

1) Start by choosing four colors.

Review the blog on Color theory again to choose your colors.

Remember the properties of colors and how they interact with each other. That will be important when you create your design.

2) Use FOUR BRISTOL sheets.

3) One 9 x 12 Bristol Page for each color.

4) Apply each color uniformly. (No brush marks)

5) Now cut out 6 inch squares from each color.

These will be your surface sheets , all four of them.

6) The remainder colors will be used to add the design to each surface sheet.

ALL FOUR COLORS NEED TO BE REPRESENTED AND BALANCED IN YOUR COMPOSITION.

All compositions have the constant of using the same palette (color group ).

The trick is to figure out how to balance each color so that not (one) color becomes predominant.

In doing so all colors work with each other in a balanced act.

You might add an additional constant of a Shape , or Line.

Remember the principles of Variety, Repetition , Scale.

Have a variety of Shapes and or Lines.

All FOUR COMPOSITIONS need to stand on their own uniqueness but also work together as a group.

Once all four square compositions are completed, YOU WILL MOUNT THEM ON THE ILLUSTRATION BOARD.

MOUNTING ON THE ILLUSTRATION BOARD:

KEEP ½ inch between EACH SQUARE as you center design and frame the work within the 15 x 15 illustration board.

You will earn your grade by mastering the following components:

CRAFTMANSHIP - is important, you will loose points if there are mistakes

related to it. Work needs to be glued without any sides lifting.

ORIGINALITY - This is your own idea not copied from anything I have posted on the blog.

CREATIVITY - You’re ability to come up with a creative solution to this assignment while creating a harmonious balanced composition. A solution that expresses your understating of how these principles are elements are used to create design.

MIDTERM is DUE ON TUMBLR on Sunday 06/07/26 by 5 pm with a brief artist statement on your intentions .

ARTIST STATEMENT

Your artist statement will address the following information:

a) How did you approach your project ?

b) Why did you choose those specific colors?

c) What preliminary work did you do to work out a successful idea?

d) How do you feel about the outcome of your design?

e) How did your understanding of the Principles of art play a role in helping you develop this idea?

I have posted some examples of student work to give you an idea.

As always come up with your own original IDEA.

DO NOT COPY ANYTHING YOU SEE BELOW.

Notice in the first assignment how each square balances color.

Remember that some colors are louder

and some quieter.

See below some successful ideas below:

DUE DATE SUNDAY JUNE 7 BY 5PM

2D Class Wk 3, Vibrating Edges - 5/28/26

Vibrating Edges

Create a cut and paste design using two colors that when placed together can create simultaneous contrast.

Vibrating Edges is Due by 5pm on Thursday

Materials needed for Today’s assignment:

2 Sheets of Bristol Paper

Acrylic Paints and

Brushes

Scissors

Glue Stick

This will be a paint and then cut and paste project.

A) Paint two large Bristol papers ( 9x 12) with contrasting colors.

**Look at your color schemes, to find two colors that can interact in complementary or harmonious manner.

B) You will use color one, as a surface sheet .

C) Use the second color to create shapes that you lay over your surface sheet to create a vibrating effect .

Think about the following:

What colors can cause vibrating reaction to each other?

Bright colors or opaque?

Cool colors in contrast to warm ?

Complementary colors ?

And then what shapes when painted in those colors could create a vibrating , animated, active edge.

The final result should give the viewer a sensation of a vibrating effects by use of repetition and variety to create such an effect.

See below several examples from previous students :

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 1

Create a Personal Color Wheel

The Personal Color Wheel will be inspired by your own Color Chart.

Looking at your color swatch that you created on yesterday for homework , create an Abstract composition using your choice of twelve colors (12) on a Bristol paper measuring 8 x 10 .

The end result should be a harmonious and engaging Non Objective Art Work.

Look at the way the color wheel is created and build your own color combinations.

Do not create a wheel .

Instead, break up space through a series of 12 abstract shapes that can create a balanced composition.

Remember your options for balancing space:

Variety, Repetition, Balance.

Variety of size or shape.

Repetition of the same.

This should be second nature by now.

Use only 12 shapes for your choice of twelve colors.

When finished make a black border to each color within the composition and to also frame the work.

Do not use black, white , grey or brown as color.

This wheel needs to be completed by Friday in preparation for the midterm lecture to be given on Monday.

See Below a couple of student examples:

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT # 2

PREPARING COLOR STUDIES FOR MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT

Beginning Friday afternoon students will begin color studies for the Midterm Assignment.

You will need to come up with four colors that can work with each other in a harmonious way.

The studies will be done in the sketchbook.

Select a total of six sets of four colors.

This means you will come up with six sets of 4 colors that you feel will work effectively in an abstract composition.

Once more go back to the color schemes to find possible solutions for this exercise.

MATERIALS TO BUY FOR MIDTERM

The Midterm will require that students buy an illustration board that measures as follows:

16 x 20 or 15 x 20

**The difference in size is dependent on the company that makes the board.

At the store have them cut your board to make a perfect square ( 15x15 or 16 x 16) .

You are basically asking them to make one cut to square the board .

Additional materials for Midterm:

acrylic paints

brushes

glue stick

scissors

2D CLASS - MUSEUM ASSIGNMENT - 5/27/26

We will discuss this tomorrow during our virtual talk.

I spoke about a museum assignment for this class at the start of the semester.

This class will attend this venue at the freedom tower.

It is free for MDC students , you will have to show your student ID to attend.

I am giving students ample time to complete this task.

This means time to plan when you will attend and when you will have the time to complete the assignments related to it.

Image: Virginia Jaramillo, Sidereal Inscriptions #1-213, 1988. Linen fiber with hand ground earth pigments on paper. Image courtesy of the artist and Hales Gallery.

ABSTRACTION AS LEGACY Celebrating America 250

NOW ON VIEW | NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK FREEDOM TOWER

Step into a powerful exhibition exploring abstraction across generations of influential artists. Abstraction as Legacy brings together iconic voices in modern and contemporary art, highlighting its lasting impact as part of MDC's America 250 initiative.

FEATURED ARTISTS Young-Il Ahn Sam Gilliam Carmen Herrera Hans Hofmann Virginia Jaramillo Lloyd Kiva New Willem de Kooning George Morrison Noemí Ruiz Zilia Sánchez Vaughn Spann

Location Freedom Tower 600 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL

On View Through October 18, 2026

RESERVE TICKETS

Complimentary tickets for MDC students and employees

Beginning this week through Friday of week 5, students will be encouraged to plan a visit to the art venue included above.

This will be a required assignment in lieu of the collage assignment that follows after the midterm.

I will be assigning the Midterm next week on Monday.

In addition to the midterm, students will find time between now and during the Midterm week to complete this task.

You will have beginning this week, enough time to attend and to create the assignments that will be due on Friday , June 12 at 5pm to your tumblr portfolio.

VISIT TO A MUSEUM

Students will visit a museum in person.

During your visit, you are looking at the way artworks are composed. Using the skills you have learned in class, analyze the work in terms of Principles and Elements of art.

You will create sketches of various works of art that you enjoy in your sketchbook. These are preliminary ideas for paintings.

You will look analyze the composition paying attention to the following:

a) how the picture plane is utilized

b) how space is used

c) what stories are being told through color and form in painting, drawings, and mixed media .

You are there to study the works in detail.

Plan to spend about two hours doing this in person

Once you have completed the visit, you will create artwork as stated below.

This class will create THREE distinct Artworks inspired by this visit.

Materials for this assignment

Bristol paper or any other suitable material.

Size: 9x12 (smallest) 16 x20 (biggest)

Acrylic paints and other mix media materials.

Each work needs to express the following:

1) Exploration of harmonious balance between negative space and positive shape.

2) Ability to use mixed media. (acrylic paints and other materials of your choosing)

3) Harmonious use of color as an element for design and balance.

4) YOU ARE CREATING THREE WORKS, inspired by what you see in the museum.

Do not copy anything, let the work you see inspire you to create an original work of your own.

Extra Credit

To improve the class grade, those students who attend in advance of the due date,

( meaning this weekend or next ) they will be given additional points to improve the overall grade.

All students will do the following to prove their attendance participation:

1) Take a selfie inside the venue at the start and share it via threads with hashtag #2DMDCNorth.

2) Take a final selfie once you have finished the activity and shared it via threads with the #2DArtMDCNorth hashtag .

3) Once all three paintings have been completed they will be posted to the student’s Tumblr portfolio by due date, June12th, 5pm.

see examples below of student work :

2D CLASS - 3 Colors that become 4, Weds 5/27/26

On Tuesday, students developed several color relations via the color theory charts.

Today, Wednesday, you will be referencing those color studies to create this assignment.

Through the color studies you should have witnessed how some colors influence others.

Some colors when placed next to each other create the illusion of receding or moving forward.

In today’s assignment you will be creating a design using color and shapes that create an optical illusion.

Artist Victor Vasarely used these optical illusions when creating his paintings.

Colors placed next to each other influenced the way we perceived reality in his work.

When you analyze his color combinations you notice that he is playing with different color schemes as well as a variety of shape and design :

Bright vs. Dark

Cool vs. Warm

High Key vs. Low Key

Circles and Squares

As you begin to plan for today’s assignment, I would like for students to think about ways to use color to influence the way we perceive color and how those colors can relate or affect each other.

Materials needed for Today’s assignment:

2 Sheets of Bristol Paper Acrylic Paints and Brushes Scissors

Ruler

Glue Stick

This will be a paint and then cut and paste project.

Class Assignment :

THREE COLORS THAT BECOME FOUR

Students will create a design composition using ONLY Three Colors that when placed next to each other create the illusion that Four colors have been used instead of only three.

During your color studies I was hoping that students would notice the power of color to recede or stand out.

For this assignment, using the knowledge you acquired on Tuesday, students will create a Non Objective composition using three colors to give the illusion of Four.

Students will then choose three colors that when placed next to each other, will create the illusion of a fourth color.

You will use the entire Bristol sheet .

For this assignment you will need two papers.

One for groundsheet with two colors.

Another sheet for the cut and paste third color.

Do not create a border for this assignment. You are using the entire sheet.

You are working with paint today , you can refer to the Color blog posted on last week.

You will choose THREE colors ONLY.

Think of 3 colors that can alter or affect each other when place against it.

Sometimes this means a darker value of a color and it’s lightest hue contrasted by a complementary of the color in the color wheel.

Ex. Dark blue, Light Blue and Orange.

Divide your groundsheet (Bristol paper) using TWO distinct colors ( from your choice of three), and paint it accordingly.

You will then bring in a third color .

Paint another Bristol sheet , the entire sheet in one SINGLE COLOR

Tips on How to begin the assignment:

- No preconceived ideas.

- Take two sheets of Bristol paper.

- First Bristol paper will be painted with two colors.

- On a Second sheet of paper paint the entire sheet with one single color ( third color. )

- The third color when placed on the two color groundsheet will give the illusion of change.

You will then add this second sheet via a cut and paste design , that when placed on this groundsheet will give the illusion of change.

The result should appear to be a total of four colors though you have only used three, in other words, three colors that give the illusion of having used four.

NOTE:

This illusion will occur if the right three colors are at play.

** If you use colors that are bright in contrast to colors that are opaque.

**If you contrast a darker value of a color with its its lightest value.

Refer to the color blog to decide how you will work with various color schemes to create your design.

Think about how you will divide the page to put down the two base colors.

See the pictures attached.

50/50

30/70

15/40/15

30/70

How you divide the surface sheet is up to you.

The third color will be placed and added on top of the two colors via a cut and paste design.

You are still balancing space with shapes , but now color becomes an additional element to work with.

Keep in mind that Color has visual weight as well.

Decide how you will introduce the third color with an interesting design and color choice.

Review your square color assignment from the Monday.

Look at the color schemes as you decide in the color combination to use.

TIPS to think about as you develop this assignment:

As always go with the flow.

Contrast a dark shade with a lighter shade.

Non Objective No preconceived ideas

See photos below of student work:

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Students will work on Color swatches after the class assignment.

Using a ruler and acrylic paint , make a 6 “ square in your Sketchbook.

a) Now fill the square with small swatches of mixed color.

b) No color should be repeated.

c) Do Not use Black, Brown, Grey or White as color, these are known as neutrals and are not included in the color wheel.

d) Mix as many colors as you can, the more colors that do not repeat themselves the better.

Complete and post all work as follows:

Class work today by 5pm

Homework today by 10 pm

Our next virtual meet is tomorrow Thursday 5/28/26 at 9am.

This is a very short week , stay focus as we need to get ready for the Midterm assignment to be given next week on Monday.

2D Class Introduction to Color Theory & Concepts - Week 3, Tuesday 5/26/26

For the assignments related to this particular lecture, students will do all work on their sketchbook.

Materials for this assignment is as follows:

Acrylic paints

Brushes

Ruler

Sketchbook

(** refer to first day of class for specific materials and suggestions mentioned on the first day.)

NOTE:

All the assignments this week will prepare you class assignments and for the Midterm coming up next week .

Quick intro into Color Theory.

Students will be working on various class assignments and HW this week.

MDC offers a course which can be taken after this one that delves further in Color.

In this class we will review the concepts briefly for the purpose of completing several assignments .

Brief introduction to Color Theory -

The Color wheel is made up of 12 colors composed by the following:

3 Primary Colors -

RED YELLOW BLUE

3 Secondary -

ORANGE GREEN PURPLE

6 Tertiary Colors -

Y-O O-R R-P P-B B-G G-Y

All together they compose the color wheel.

When Primary Colors are mixed together these colors create Secondary Colors. .

When Primary Colors are mixed with Secondary Colors they create Tertiary colors .

Color schemes

Monochromatic :

Color gradation using only one color and adding black or white to darken (shade) or lighten (tint) the color.

Red can be made to be pink vs brick color , from darkest hue to lightest hue.

Analogous :

Using one color in the color wheel and the color adjacent to it .

Y + YO + YG R + OR + RP B + GB + BP

Complementary :

In any given color the color directly across it in the color wheel .

Yellow + Purple Red + Green Blue + Orange

Split Complementary:

In any given color, the color adjacent to its complementary.

examples:

Purple and YO + YG Blue and YO + OR

Triadic :

Any set of three colors at equal distance from each other on the color wheel .

Primary , secondary and Tertiary colors used together compose a Triadic Composition.

Warm :

The following colors Yellow to Purple-Red are warm hues.

Warm colors create the illusion of objects being closer and up front in a composition.

Cool :

All colors in the color wheel from Yellow-Green to purple are cool colors .

Cool colors give the illusion of distance.

Things look far away when we use cool colors .

Space appears to move away when cool color schemes are used.

Note :

ALL colors in the color wheel can be made to be bright or opaque, lighter (high key) vs. darker (low key) thereby changing the temperature from warm to cold.

Example:

Blue is a cool color in the color wheel . Neon Blue which is brighter and lighter is a warm hue.

Final Note:

Black, White, Gray and Brown are Neutral Colors and as such they are not found in the color wheel .

The additional class Assignment for today is below.

After you complete the assignment started yesterday, (5 white shapes on a black surface) students will complete the assignment below.

Class work:

COLOR THEORY CHARTS- Starts TODAY.

The color assignments can be done in your sketchbook.

They need to be done in order to complete the class assignments for Weds and Thursday.

Each day this week you will dedicate class time to assignment and then homework time to complete all HW on the same day.

Students will work color theory charts as follows:

a) Color Studies

b) This will be done in your sketchbook or on the Bristol paper.

c) Using 2.5 inch squares with a 1 inch inserts create color combinations using various color schemes discussed in class lecture.

student examples

Create color combinations side by side .

For Example:

1) Red square with blue insert , blue square with red insert.

2) Yellow square with purple insert , purple square with

yellow insert.

3) Orange square with green insert , green square with orange insert.

As you can see , I am combining colors as seen in the color wheel starting with Primaries and so on.

Primary Secondary Tertiary

How does it change when we put blue inside red vs. red inside blue?

Assignment for today:

Students will do 30 color combinations in the sketchbook. ( That is a set of 15 color combinations representing two colors.)

a) Blue/Red and Red/Blue

b) Yellow/ Blue and Blue/ Yellow

c) Red/ Yellow and Yellow /Red

d) Yellow/ Blue and Blue / Yellow

e) Orange/ Green and Green/Orange

d) Purple/ Yellow and yellow/ Purple.

As you can see , I am simply adding the primaries, secondary etc.

A) Use a ruler to do your boxes.

B) Align color combination next to each other.

Example : R+B next to B+R.

You are doing a scientific experiment to understand color in the spirit of Joseph Albers.

Look him up on google for reference, he’s one of the founding fathers of color theory.

You can also add some color combinations from the color schemes mentioned during the lecture.

Color Schemes:

1) Monochromatic 2) Analogous 3) Complementary 4) Split Complementary 5) Triadic 6) Cool 7) Warm

Homework

(2 assignments using a 6 inch square with two inserts )

You will create 2 assignments, using a 6 inch square to depict an Analogous color scheme within a square composition.

Only three colors are used inside the square.

Each assignment will be created using the following:

6 inch square

with 2 inserts

Showing only three colors.

Remember, Analogous schemes are colors on each side of any given color.

You will have three colors in each six inch square.

This will be done in the Sketchbook.

The Josef Albers painting below is using four colors , you will be using only three.

The outcome will look similar to this painting below.

All the assignments done this week are helping you create visual scientific experiments to understand color theory in the spirit of Joseph Albers.

These assignments are helping students develop color schemes and ideas that are going to prepare you for the midterm.

All this work will be done today in preparation for the assignment tomorrow.

I will review the Assignment for tomorrow after the lecture in the next post.

Post as follows:

*class assignment - today by *5

**Homework - today by **10 pm

Class work for tomorrow will be in the next class post.

CRITIQUE Part 2 - 5/21/26

CRITIQUE WILL START AT 9 AM

note AZ - No work

CRITIQUE Part 1 - 5/21/2026

1 - excellent

good

Redo

The work below is a cool design

2D Expressing creativity with shape - Assignment for Weds 5/20/2026

Note:

We will review this post and assignment on Monday but assignments for this post will be completed and be due on Weds and Thursday.

Compositions with black and White backgrounds.

Similar to the assignments students did on Monday and Tuesday, students will create two compositions reversing the order of the negative to positive ground relations .

1) Five White Shapes on a Black Surface sheet

2) Five Black Shapes on White Surface sheet

For this week’s assignment, you will use today and Homework time to complete the following assignments:

Assignment One & Two :

Create two compositions that utilizes 5 shapes on a contrasting background.

1) Use Five Black Shapes on a White Surface Sheet.

2) Use Five White Shapes on a Black surface sheet.

Students will continue working with balancing shape within the negative space in a new assignment.

You need to spend the entire class on each assignment to create and develop a good idea/ design.

This is slightly different from the previous assignment done on Monday & Tuesday , in that here you can use an entire sheet of paper for your shapes, so you are not limited by scale.

As you look at your surface sheet measuring 8 X 10 , how will you balance space to be in harmony with the shapes you are including in your art work.

You will develop TWO different compositions where you create the illusion of the merging spaces between positive shape and negative space dimensions.

- All work is Non Objective

- Stay away from recognizable objects, forms or symbols.

- This is also a Cut and Paste assignment.

( You will cut out shapes and then using a glue stick to place them on the surface sheet.)

- Keep your cuts clean

- You are ONLY using FIVE shapes in each composition.

You will need to prepare two sheets for this assignment.

Prep your papers first in the following way :

1) First sheet of paper:

Paint the entire Bristol paper black .

All the paper without a border.

Make sure you apply paint correctly trying carefully to not leave any brush marks.

The paper needs to be pitch black .

If you keep the brush wet at all times you should be able to accomplish this. I wet my brush slightly and keep the paint fluid as I do this.

2) Second sheet of paper :

Create the 8 x 10 frame.

Now paint the inside of that frame black .

Same as above do not leave any brush marks.

See example below:

1) On the Left the entire sheet is black.

2) On the right only the 8 x 10 surface is black, the outer frame is kept white.

First Assignment to be completed starting on Wednesday :

A) BLACK ON WHITE

Black Shapes On A White Surface

In the first composition you will arrange the composition as follows:

5 Black shapes into a, White surface sheet that measures 8 x 10 inches.

You will ONLY use FIVE shapes, no more and no less.

You need to create the illusion that both the shape (positive) and space (negative) are in complete harmony.

Second Assignment to be completed after lecture on Thursday :

B) WHITE ON BLACK

White Shapes On A Black Surface

In the second composition you will arrange the following:

5 White shapes into a Black surface sheet that measures 8 x 10 inches.

You will ONLY use FIVE (5) shapes, no more than that.

As you work with this assignment you will notice how indistinguishable negative space and shape becomes.

When you are able to fool the eye between these two realms , that is when the artwork is successful.

As always the grading components for ALL of your assignments in this class are:

** Creativity

** Originality

** Craftsmanship

All three are paramount to earn a good grade.

Those are the components I look for in grading the assignment.

NOTE/TIPS:

Make sure you isolate the 8 x 10 parameter in your paper for all assignments.

Make sure you are using a ruler.

Submit first Assignment with a brief summary of your approach to Tumblr by end of each class on Weds. ( note this can be added after posting work in an edit.)

Continue submitting assignments for each day with a brief statement of your progress with each assignment by end of each class day.

You can post all work by Thursday at 5pm.

See below examples of previous student assignments:

Composition A

Black on White surface

Composition B

White on Black surface

I will go over the Homework assignment for the weekend after the Critique on Thursday.

Next week , we begin working with color.

Make sure you have your acrylic set on hand and brushes.

2D CLASS (Week 2 )- Working with Shape 5/18/26 (Monday)

Everyone did a good job last week with the assignments. I will review some assignments on Thursday.

Today we will go over the work to be done in week 2.

WEEK TWO - Working with Shape

I will begin the class lecture at 9:00am.

We will go over the assignments for today together.

For week two, students will work with negative and positive space relationships.

Using the element of Shape and the principles of Balance, Repetition & Variety, you will create various compositions that allow for a harmonious aesthetics where shape is balanced within space.

Think of symmetry with relative sameness on both sides.

Or the opposite of that.

How would you create an engaging composition where balance is prominent within an harmonious design.

Using either an symmetry or asymmetrical approach where space relationships are in harmony, students aim to engage the audience by making conscious decisions regarding the principle of balance.

All the assignments on for this week will require the following preparation and materials before starting.

I will explain in class the preparation for the first set of assignments.

ON MONDAY during class, students will be painting several sheets in all black, first.

Each of the assignments for these week will require working in a cut and paste approach.

On Monday and Tuesday, students will start by creating an 8x 10 space inside the 9 x12 Bristol page.

The First two assignments called Chaos and Order will require the following materials :

1) Scissors 2) Glue stick 3) Two separate 8 x 10 surface sheet frames 4) A third Bristol sheet needs to be painted in black.

For the third sheet of Bristol, Use black acrylic paint and cover the entire sheet of Bristol paper in black.

Try to avoid creating any directional lines as you paint the entire sheet black, in other words a clean black sheet without any blotches or marks. ( I will show in class how to do this.)

Using the black sheet , measure and cut out the following:

(TWO ) 4 Inch squares ONLY.

With each 4 inch black square, you will now create the following:

TWO compositions where the identity of the square is presented as in these two different categories :

CHAOS

ORDER

First assignment- You will work on it during class and Homework and finish by tomorrow early classtime.

A) Chaos :

In this composition the identity of the square cannot be identified.

You will deconstruct the original shape.

Imagine if the square all of a sudden exploded .

How would you create balance with the pieces as you create the illusion of such an event?

Think about that as you begin the first assignment. Second Assignment:

B) Order :

Create a design that looks as if the square is re-organizing and coming into itself.

How can you create the illusion of a deconstructed square re-assembling itself?

How would that happen?

In both assignments you are using ONLY the 4 inch square.

Use the entire 4 inch square.

Do not leave any parts out and do not add extra parts.

This will be a cut and paste assignment .

You will cut the square and re-assemble it in the 8 x 10 surface sheet.

Think about how that 4 inch square can be placed in harmony inside that 8 x 10 space.

How ill you balance the space around it.

How will you give reference to the starting or ending point (square).

Take your time to come up with an interesting composition.

DO NOT USE ANY EXAMPLES BELOW AS INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SPECIFIC DESIGN.

YOU NEED TO COME UP WITH YOUR OWN ORIGINAL IDEA.

Chaos

order

Chaos

Order

Homework for Weds:

Paint 1 full sheet of paper in black.

Paint an 8 x 10 surface sheet in black.

Do this ahead of time so that work can begin at start of class.

We will review the assignments for Weds this morning and do class critique on Thursday of week 1 & 2.

Assignment for weds will be due on Thursday at 5 pm.

On Thursday we will have a review of the work and talk about HW for the weekend as we prepare for week 3.

This week we will shift to having class on Monday and Thursday, since Monday of next week is a holiday.

Then Next week we will meet Tuesday and Thursday.

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