PastelAbstractions

=Abstracted Pastel Compositions=

//When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not.// Georgia O'Keeffe

//Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time.// Georgia O'Keeffe

Essential Learning Question: How do you use LINE and VALUE to show VOLUME and COLOR to show MOOD?
Further Goals for this project: 1. achieve 3-D form through manipulation of hue, value and line direction 2. achieve dynamic compositions by cropping (dynamic/active negative and positive shapes) 3. achieve tension/interest between realism (from rendering 3-D form) and abstraction (through cropping, composition color hue and enlarging) Student Examples

__Step One: gridded thumbnail sketches__ • Using low-tack tape, mask off the four sides of an 18 x 24 piece of charcoal paper, then tape to create six chunky rectangles. • Using a viewfinder and natural object(s) of your choice, look for, and with vine charcoal draw six unexpected views of your object in your six rectangles. You may concentrate on one fruit/veggie/natural form or different ones. • Each composition should be selected for the following three reasons: 1. the negative and positive shapes within the composition create a dynamic space 2. the three-dimensional forms are clearly described 3. by looking for an unexpected view (and possibly cropping a part) of the object you have drawn an image that becomes somewhat abstract (think Georgia O’Keeffe…)

__Step Two: enlarging / abstracting the chosen sketch__ • Select the composition you feel is most interesting compositionally. You may choose at this point to “crop your crop.” • Enlarge your composition study to proportionally sized larger paper. (There are several colors and shades of pastel paper (paper with a “tooth”) from which to choose. The color of your paper can be an active element in the drawing so make a thoughtful decision.) • Using your original sheet of compositions for information and your imagination for inspiration you will apply pastel color to your drawing. • By manipulating hue, value and line direction you will describe believable 3-dimensional form. • You may use any hues that you wish to describe your forms and negative space and create the MOOD of the work. For instance, using violet as a base color for a bunch of bananas can add increased abstraction to your image as well as give a different mood than using orange as the base. You can take clues from your originals but be sure to use your imagination, memory and intuition as well.