AVI 4MI
Sketchbook Assignments and Deadlines
Each AVI 4MI student is required to keep a sketchbook or organized duotang/folder of
sketchbook assignments for the term. Not only will we be completing the following
sketchbook assignments in this book, but we will also using it as a place to show your
creative process for in class assignments.
The following list of topics are your sketchbook assignments for the term. Each drawing
is due at the beginning of class and must be at least 6 inches by 8 inches in size unless
otherwise stated. If you are absent, your drawing is due the first day you return to
school. You may complete these assignments in any medium that is suitable for your
sketchbook (eg: pencil, pencil crayon, charcoal, pastel, etc…) unless otherwise stated.
These are not meant to be 3D in nature or to be done on alternative surfaces such as
canvas, board, etc… This collection of sketchbook assignments is designed to not only
encourage your art making skills but also your problem solving and creativity. Each
drawing is to be a complete drawing including the use of value to create 3D form and
show the skill expected of a grade 12 college/university student. These are to be
fine arts works suitable for a portfolio, CARTOONS, GRAFFITI AND TATOO ART WILL
NOT BE ACCEPTED since most colleges and universities will not accept these works in
portfolios! ALWAYS BRING YOUR SKETCHBOOKS TO CLASS but you will not typically
be given in class time to complete sketchbook assignments, these are to be completed
during MSIP or for homework and a minimum of 1-2 hours of concentrated work is
expected for each. Think of this book as a place to show your creativity since this is
what post secondary institutions are interested in. Going with a well thought out plan or
something totally unique is preferable to just doing the “easiest” idea or something that
is typical or expected. BE CREATIVE!
Each sketchbook assignment will be marked in the categories of:
Image:
Concept
Skill of Medium Use
Level of Completion/Presentation
Creativity
Written Component:
Strength of Reasoning/Expression of Views
Statement of Intent for solving the Problem and Successfulness
Clarity of Writing – sentence structure, spelling, grammar, etc…
These sketchbook assignments will be assessed at a college/university level so take each
one seriously. Challenge yourself! Some may be more challenging for you than others but
thinking outside of the box will help you grow as an artist.
Sketchbook Topics and Due Dates
Sept 12 – Zoom – (Note: each of these drawings should be no more than 13cm X16cm and
they should all be the same size). Pick a complex object and complete a drawing that
shows the entire thing. It should be drawn in detail using pen, pencil or pencil crayon and
have a full range of values represented. Next, pretend that you are viewing it through a
camera with a zoom lens. Focus in tighter so that you are only showing part of the object.
Draw a second picture, again using a full range of value and detail using the same medium.
Now, zoom in one last time so that you are showing an extreme close up of the object and
draw it again. This drawing will need to show minute details and very likely will be
abstract in appearance. Write a short paragraph describing why you chose that object
and what was your reasoning for zooming in on that section of it. Write a critique of how
you think your last extreme close up turned out and what you would do to improve this
drawing if you were to do it again. (Approx. ½ page in length)
Sept 26 - Box That Ferret, Please – It’s all about the packaging these days. Packaging
carries the burden of informing us what the contents are, why they’re great and what we
can use them for. It even tells us if we’ve seen it on TV. Almost everything comes in some
form of prepackaged form. Except things like…pets. Animals rarely come packaged. Pet
stores might place the new little hamster in a carry-home container, but that critter
didn’t come to the pet store that way. What if they did? Your challenge is to choose the
pet you identify most with, and create the package for that animal if that animal was to
come to the store prepackaged. Think about the size of the package, the type of
package, the marketing messages on the outside and the needed elements on the inside of
the package. And don’t forget the air holes. You weren’t going to forget were you? Write
at least ½ a page explaining why you chose the animal you did (how do you identify with
it?). Write in detail about why your chose the package you did including the material it
would be made of, special features (Does it have a window? Why?) and how successful you
think you were? Remember: This is NOT a carry home box but something unique to
that pet. Think about shape, specialized materials, etc…
Oct 10 – Being Emotional – Think back to an experience that was very emotional for you.
What did you feel emotionally? Physically? What were you thinking at the time? Write a
descriptive paragraph about this moment (remember that others will read this). Now,
create a composition about this emotion. Remember, you are not representing a snapshot
of what was happening, you are trying to represent the emotion you felt. This needs to
be at least a one page composition and you may choose to do a 2 page spread depending on
your choice of mediums and techniques. Lastly, write a second paragraph fully explaining
how your composition represents the emotion you felt in your experience (eg: your use of
colours, line, etc… why you chose this way to represent the emotion-what are the
symbols, etc…). Evaluate how well you think you solved the problem and what makes it
work so well and/or what could be done to make it stronger in message.
Oct 24 – Pictography – You work for a company that creates instruction manuals for
people who can’t read. Pick an everyday task (such as baking a cake, changing a tire,
folding and putting away laundry, etc…) and draw step by step instructions for how to
complete that task by showing the main steps (eg: you need to show taking clothes out of
the basket but not shaking the wrinkles out). Below are some ideas if you need to use
them but make up your own to be more creative. This can be completed in any medium
you feel is suitable for graphics. NOTE: YOU CAN NOT USE WORDS TO SHOW
DIRECTIONS BUT CAN USE WORDS TO LABEL ITEMS).
-washing and styling your hair
-making Kraft Dinner
-checking a book out of the library
-making a phone call
Nov 14 – A Day in My Life –What would it look like if you meticulously chronicled a day
in your life? Take your sketchbook, a pen or pencil and a paper clip or glue stick (to help
gather any extra remnants of the day like the receipt from buying your lunch) and walk
we through a day from your point of view. What did you do? Where did you go? Who did
you see? What was the day like for you? This must be a 2 page spread and combine text
and images into a unified composition using any mediums you feel are appropriate. It
could be done as events are happening or you may use your sketchbook to jot down events
and emotions, sketches of items, etc… from the day and create a composition later.
After your day is over, reflect and go back into your composition to polish and refine it.
Write a page about your day and explain your choice of mediums, colours, images, text,
etc… Explain why you chose to represent your day the way you did and if you successfully
conveyed the feeling or meaning of your day.
Dec 5 – Who Inspires/Supports You? – Everyone has an individual who they admire or
who is there for them when they need support. Who is this person for you? Pick one
person who has an impact on your life and create a composition as a tribute to that
person. It may or may not include a picture of that person so do not feel like it is meant
to be a portrait. Your composition should include text somehow (eg: individual words or a
poem, letter, etc…). It may be completed in any medium you feel is suitable for
representing your ideas and creativity. Write a full explanation about this person; who
are they, why do they impact your life, why did you portray them this way, is there any
symbolism that needs explanation? How successful were you in portraying this person
accurately (maybe physically, maybe personality characteristics).