CRAFTSMANSHIP

What is Craftsmanship?An ability that has been acquired by repeated practice, careful observation and proper training.

Any learned thing requires practice and patience to do well. And while creativity is an important element of Art, without the knowledge of tool and media use, and the skills to produce quality work, your creativity will never reach its full potential.This slideshow highlights basic skills every artist must master in order to produce quality work. Your teachers will design lessons based on the suggestions shown here. Those lessons will help you develop a sense of craftsmanship to improve your physical skills and increase your knowledge of tools and media that may be new to you. The lessons will require from you a significant degree of concentration, creative thinking and, most of all, patience. If you take your time and try your best you will be rewarded with a higher quality of work and a better understanding of what separates good art from bad.

What does good craftsmanship look like?

What does good craftsmanship look like?

What does good craftsmanship look like?

What does good craftsmanship look like?

What does good craftsmanship look like?

Measuring UpObjective: Understand how to measure using a standard ruler.Every art student must learn how to use a ruler, not just for drawing straight lines but for making correct measurements. The key is to understand all those little markings on the ruler. The standard English ruler is divided into inches (starting at zero). Each inch is divided in half. Each half is divided in half to give you quarters. Each quarter is divided in half to give you eighths (many rulers divide again to give you sixteenths).

Supplies: pencil, paper, ruler, 2-D images to measure

0 1”2

1

41

43

81

8

385

87

16

1 1

6

3 1

6

5 1

6

7 1

6

9 1

6

11 1

6

13 1

6

15

Patterns 1: Triangle to SquareObjective: Develop eye/hand coordination, scissor control, precise measuring, clean gluing technique Cut out 32 triangles (16 of one color, 16 of another color). Create a square pattern. All pieces must fit together perfectly and have no left over pencil marks. Supplies: One 12”x 12” poster board (backing), two pieces 8”x8” Poster Board (2 colors), scissors, ruler, pencil, glue.

Patterns 2: Triangles to SquareObjective: Develop eye/hand coordination, precise measuring, clean painting or coloring techniqueEach student will draw or paint a square using 32 triangles (16 of one color, 16 of another color). They must be colored cleanly with straight lines and show no left over pencil marks. Supplies: 12”x12” drawing paper, watercolor, acrylic or marker, ruler, pencil.

Patterns 3: Repeated PatternsObjective: Develop eye/hand coordination, copying skillsUse an interior cut out of a shape as a viewfinder. Lay it over a photo or painting and use tracing paper to copy what you see. Re-copy that drawing over and over each on a separate piece of paper so that they touch in the same place each time. You will need to think about mirror images and rotation.Supplies: Drawing, photo or painting, drawing paper, tracing paper, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencils or marker, pencil.

Line QualityObjective: Understand how varied line quality enhances the dynamics of an image.Varying the line quality (thick, thin, light, dark) allows you to describe textures, movement, light, space, etc. Using many different kinds of lines in your drawing can also add visual interest. How interesting can a drawing be if everything is the same? In the drawing below notice how Rembrandt uses varying types of line to add visual interest to this simple landscape.Supplies: Drawing pencil (not mechanical), paper, subject

“I can’t draw a straight line!”Objective: Learn to draw clean clear and consistentlyIf I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that complaint I would be retired and living in a mansion in Florida. The truth is, drawing or painting a straight line (or anything else) is just a matter of practice AND some simple drawing techniques. Supplies: pencil or marker, paper

Start with basic shapes and lines then moveup to more complicated shapes and images.

Practice using the little finger as a guideto support the hand as you draw.

When you do these exercises do not drawby moving your wrist. Draw by movingfrom the elbow.

Once you start, continue the movementtill the end. Do not hesitate or start andstop. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Adding Value

Value contrast is a powerfultechnique that will dramatically improveyour drawings.

Most beginning artists create drawings thatare too light or have an overall samenessof value.

Use the “squint test” to determine the areasof light, medium and dark value on your image

Objective: Understand how value improves the quality of a drawing

Supplies: pencils (H, B, 2B), paper

Breaking down a subject into simple shapesObjective: Learn to recognize the basic shapes that make up all objects and imagesA basic method to learn how to draw any object is to break it down into simple shapes. Draw these in lightly at first to get the general outline of what you want. Later you can clean up the sketch to create a more refined image. Do these rough practice sketches without worrying too much about the pencil marks and you'll learn to draw the finished piece more realistically.Supplies: pencil and paper

Visual VocabularyObjective: Learn to control the tool and media through precise repetition of simple shapes and designsPractice precise, uniform textures and strokes. It is important to have uniformity of shape, line and sizeSupplies: pencil or markers, ruler, paper

Build a House of CardsObjective: Develop coordination and a steady handWork with a partner or team to build a house of cards to a minimum of three tiers highSupplies: new deck of cards, flat surface

This practice will require cooperation,sharing of responsibilities and a gooddeal of patience.

Pen and InkObjective: Develop an understanding of proper hand pressure and control to produce a design incorporating a variety of ink lines and shapesPen and ink designs require strict control to avoid splashes, spills and ink runs. This practice is designed to develop that skill.Supplies: drawing paper, quill pen, India ink and lots of patience.

Seeing TreesObjective: Learn how to draw what you see, not what you think you see.Have you ever really looked at a tree?If so you will see that it looks nothinglike the trees most people draw. The reason is that most of us rely on an internal mental library of symbols rather than realistic images.

In this lesson you will go outside or use a photograph and draw a tree as it really is. Start small, concentrate on a single branch or section of the trunk.

Supplies: pencil, paper, trees or tree photo

Folding PaperObjective: Learn to measure and cut paper evenly and fold with precision to createa small box with lid.Supplies: pencil, 2 sheets construction paper (one 12” x 12”, one 11.5” x 11.5”)

Simple instructionson next slide

Paper Boxwith Lid

Box uses construction paper that is 11.5” x 11.5”

Lid uses construction paper that is 12” x 12”

Cutouts and PopupsObjective: Learn to use an X Acto knife to make precise cuts and foldsIn this lesson you will create a design that can be cut and folded to create a “pop up” design.

Supplies: pencil, construction paper (2 colors), X Acto knife

Created by

Knightdale High SchoolVisual Arts Department

Dan DeProspero, Department Chair ddeprospero@wcpss.nethttp://www.tinyurl.com/deprospero