Creative Journal Assignments:
Many of the assignments require direct observation
Draw frequently
Look for new subjects and viewpoints
An entry must be made in journal everyday to reflect on your day (either visual or literary)
1. What is art? In your own words answer this question. Create a list of as many
things as you can as to what art is.
2. Choose a functional object (cookware, a chair, eating utensil, drinking glass, etc.)
and write an art criticism of the object. You must fully perceive you object. You
must include the following four aesthetic theories: Describe: it without naming it.
Analyze: what elements are used to put it together. In order to do the
Interpretation you must try it out. What is it used for? How does it work? At the
Judgment stage you must make two decisions: Is the object aesthetically pleasing?
Does it function properly?
3. Choose an element of art, such a line or color, and create an abstract composition
emphasizing that element by limiting the other elements. For example if you
choose shape you could vary the shape but keep the color uniform. Plan and
organize your work so that it uses positive and negative space.
4. Write a story about yourself.
5. Write a list of twelve things you care about.
6. Use an ordinary pencil; make a value scale by starting with the lightest gray and
processing to the darkest gray. The different values can be found by varying the
pressure of the graphite pencil. You must find 5 to 7 values.
7. Select one of the following periods and do research on the art of that
period/culture. Design the letters of your name in the style that reflects the
chosen period. The media for this assignment is your choice. Use the entire page
for your composition. (Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, Japan, Greece,
Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Islam, Native Americans, Baroque, Rocco,
Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism,
Africa, Cubism, Surrealism, Pop Art, and Op Art).
8. With sketchbook and sharp pencil in hand, listen to a favorite song while making
a continual pattern of lines. Let the music inspire the lines, and use the space on
the sketchbook page in whatever manner you wish. Remember: Lines can be
thick, thin, slashed, dotted, etc. in areas. You do not have to use the same type of
line throughout, however, it should appear that one line continued (even though it
was changing) in order to form the pattern/design. At the bottom of the work
write in the title to the song you were responding to.
9. Use the object from the previous assignment and draw it directly looking at it.
Use the best composition you can and use your entire page. Do not simplify the
drawing look at the edges carefully. Notice proportions. Put in values and
textures.
10. Do blind-contour drawings of a complicated subject of your choice. Sit side ways
in a chair and have the sketchbook on a table beside you. Place the drawing hand
on the sketchbook, but look only at the subject you are drawing. Do not look at
the drawing. This will force you to think about the contours of the object. I can
easily tell if you did not look at every “bend” and “turn” of the line that defines
the edges. Contour drawings never look good at first, but with practice, the
quality of your drawings, as well as the quality of your perceptual skills, will
improve.
11. Make a line drawing of a landscape, either real or imaginary. Draw this scene 3
more times (your page should be divided into quarters). Color all four pictures,
using a different color scheme for each one. Compare the results. How does your
feeling toward the scene change as a result of different color combinations?
Which combination do you like best? Why? Do some combinations give the
mood of a storm, sunny day, or disaster?
12. Do a drawing of the human figure. Try to capture the position and proportions of
the model (friend or family). It is wise to give the model a prop or some kind of
costume (hat, robe, etc.) to make the subject interesting. Do not worry about
facial features.
13. With eyes closed, imagine you are in your studio and suddenly one of your pieces
starts to talk to you. Write down everything the piece says, no matter how absurd;
keep your hand moving across the page. Allow yourself to be awkward. It’s the
beginner’s way. Tell yourself that your are free to write absolute junk. (Hofsted,
J. 1999)
14. Close your eyes and imagine that someone from your childhood, whom you have
not seen for a long time, comes into your studio while you are working. What do
you want to tell this person about your work? Write like one possessed. So much
to tell, so little time. (Hofsted, J. 1999)
15. With eyes closed imagine a piece of your work has come to life in the studio.
What does it do? Write for the child in you, the one that loves adventure and
magic. (Hofsted, J. 1999)
16. Write about a weird dream that you have had. Write about as much of the dream
as you can remember, even if it does not make sense, just keep writing.
17. Write about what you think in your head but would not say out loud.
18. Write about a pretend or fantasy experience you remember having when you were
a child.
19. Doodle….doodle….doodle. What ever comes to mind. Don’t think about it, just
doodle. Make notes a to why your attracted to what you are drawing.
20. Research a Surrealist artist of your choice. Research their life, their way of living,
their accomplishments, their downfalls. Write your findings on the sketchbook.
How can you/can not relate to the artists life or their r style of artwork. Make
sketches to reflect artists style.