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AF1.A.M5 Value- Animal Eye in Color

3/2/2020

Animal Eye Study:   Color Blocking and the 'Chuck Close' grid method. Links to an external site.

Using the grid method, we will break down a seemingly complicated image, into small manageable pieces. You will break your image down into a small grid, and draw one square at a time onto your final paper. You will color block, or draw each color as it's own shape. Draw these shapes as outlines, using the grid method. No shading in! You'll be using oil pastel for that :)
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Reminder:  It is VERY important to go one square at a time!
Steps:
  • Draw a 2 inch by 2 inch grid on your black toothed paper. Label them 1-6 along the top and 1-4 along the side.
  • Draw a 6x4 grid on your small animal eye using any measuring unit you would like. Usually a 1/2 inch is great. You may need to crop your eye to fit a 6x4 grid onto it.
  • Start color blocking:  Outline each color so it become a shape.
  • Make a key:  Cut a square, the same size as one square on your small animal eye,  out of the center of a post-it note. Repeat as needed.
  • Start drawing one square at a time. Use your key to block all the other squares.

Chuck Close Note to self

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=milXH-433vs&feature=emb_err_woyt

Picture
You will be assessed on your ability to apply the grid method. Start by color-blocking, or outlining the shapes of various colors in your animal eye photo. You will draw those shapes onto your black grid paper going one square at a time. Your paper should look like a coloring book page. 

HINT:  Make a key using a Post-it note:  Cut out a 1/2 inch square from the middle of a Post-It note and use it to cover your animal eye photo as you work one square at a time.

Video of the grid method
When using oil pastel, build up your colors use light-medium pressure. The first few layers are considered your under-layers, and usually use the scrumbling method. Use various techniques you'll learn in class, to create different textures. Remember that it is easy to max out your layers if you press too hard too fast. Hard pressure should be reserved for your last layer. If done correctly, no paper should be visible through your layers, which means all under drawings, including your grid, will be covered up with thick opaque layers of oil pastel.
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Remember:  Your first few layers will look a little crummy. Don't be discouraged! Something magical happens in the last layers that brings it all together.