∆• 2013-14 Visual Art Summer ‘PRE-SEASON’
IB HLA yr1 and Visual Arts Major
the…
Reference < http://wfsibvartspreseason.weebly.com/ >
• Please send me an email to acknowledge your email address for summer contact.
My email: cstanmellow@wilmingtonfriends.org should you need to have any questions answered
or you might just want to send me an update on your work.
• Pick up your summer packet, which will contain stickers, assignment sheet, handouts to
read/ use, an Investigation Work Book (IWB) and materials for your studio projects.
The summer requirements of the Visual Arts courses IB-HLA year1 and Visual Arts Major are
designed so that students will exercise their skills and talents chartering a path that will benefit
the continuation of work as we return in September.
All students enrolled in these courses for the 2013-14 school year are required to complete this
summer study for their course preparation. The activities outlined should be completed with a
sense of creative ‘play’. It will be advantageous for you to have fun while you are doing this
creative work.
All work is due for submission Monday, September 9, 2013. This will be turned in on this day
to Cynthia Stan Mellow. This work should not be late and will be evaluated for required first
semester’s requirements.
The web site < http://wfsibvartspreseason.weebly.com/ > to access for continuing
information and updates.
Set up a mini- studio area at home. This will make your at home work much easier, as your
materials will be out and ready to go when inspirations strikes and wet work can be left to dry.
You will need to purchase some of the following materials:
- a supply box or tackle art box > something that can store and transport your art supplies.
- Acrylic brushes and a basic set of acrylic paints.
- 2B, 4B and 6B sketching pencils
- White vinyl eraser
- Glue stick
- Black pens
* Begin collecting a range of materials that you think that you will use for your beginning summer
studio work.
Think of this as ‘pre-season visual arts’
and think with creative energy
in this serious play!
the…
Investigative Workbook (IWB)
= 40% of IB HLA / Visual Arts Major coursework
• Your involvement in this IWB will begin this summer.
• You will use the sketchbook with blank pages 9”x 12”.
Do not tear any pages out of your book.
This sketchbook (IWB)
was given to you when you picked up your pre-season IB art packet.
• Label this with your name, address, and a return to me message. This is IWB is 40% of your IB
exam evaluation so it is irreplaceable.
• All written entries should be done in black ink so as to easily be read and reproduced.
• Entries should be dated and any research given the appropriate notations. You must cite
your sources. Vary your sources > do not just use the internet and Wikkipedia.
Your pages are to be numbered.
• When using other art media/ materials make sure that it is used so as to be seen.
• Both sides of the pages are to be used.
• If you have drawings that are created, which need to be protected use a transparency page to
separate them.
• If you collage materials or images, interact and manipulate. Do not just produce a scrapbook of
magazine images or images created by other people. All images should have an interactive
written analysis or commentary as to why it is in your IWB.
• All work that is part of your IWB that is collected for inclusion needs to be attached. (this should
pass the shake test and not fall out of the IWB)
IWB Investigation EntriesThis should become your healthy addiction. It is a ‘working out’ / getting in shape’ of your visual
skills, observations, and thought process.
Personal interaction with your research workbook will include analytical statements, cultural
context/ content and written content that will create a beginning visual arts journey.
You will be expected to make page entries of investigation during the summer.
The total number of pages should be approximately 18- 25 pages for the summer entries.
These pages will relate to visual research (artistic historical/ artistic influences), compositional
studies (small sketches of plans), design concept research, elements and principles of design,
context of cultural studies/ background, techniques and media experimentation.
This should include written and visual entries. This IWB can have sketches, analysis and ideas
for your summer work, as well as idea sketches for possible future work. Refer to the explanation
for the content of the IWB. During the school year this IWB will be turned in and checked each
cycle for comment and evaluation. Utilize the components of Visual Expression that are in
your packet.
the…
Investigative Workbook Summer Assignments:
Each IWB Assignment that are completed should have
approximately 4-6 pages.
The categories of this investigation should include the following:
• Include analysis of art from different cultures and context identified on a timeline.
• Include investigated connection to historical and contemporary artists and various visual
‘styles’.
• Demonstrate the development of skills and investigation of media and techniques.
• Present focused visual and theoretical investigation of concepts.
• Include development of ideas, in the presentation of the visual images, demonstrating breadth
and depth.
• Demonstrate the use of specialist vocabulary, i.e. elements and principles of design.
• Include all sources for content and images must be cited. Use of a broad range of sources
beyond the internet.
• Demonstrate the organization, analysis and depth of the investigative workbook.
• Connection and relationship of the investigative with the studio work.
1. The beginning of the IWB should begin with a form of
autobiography.
Please reference explanation of the Investigative Research Workbook.
This should include an examination of yourself through a possible analysis of things that
you collect, likes/ dislikes, the interior of your living space, a cultural connection in your
family, goals, dreams, or any other area to use for this reflection.
What is your definition of the visual arts and design.
Who are you? Do you consider yourself a creative thinker? Why?
If someone was to write your biography now…
How and what images represent you?
What kinds of images are you drawn towards?
What historical artists or artistic styles have you been exposed to and relates to your
interest in visual images?
What media and techniques are you familiar with through previous experimentation and
what new or different media/ techniques are you interested in manipulating?
Create your own guiding questions to begin your visual arts experience in this course.
2. Read: summer reading requirements –
(These books can be purchased from a local bookstore, online @ amazon.com or from
the WFS online book sales.)
‘Believing is Seeing, Creating the Culture of Art’ by Mary Anne Staniszewski
ISBN 0-14-016824-9
‘Priceless’ , How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures
by Robert K. Wittman
ISBN 978-0-307-46148-3
•Take notes on the readings and write analysis of the content of the specific book.
This should be active reading. One of these books will be the free reading book for your English
class. You will be involved in the visual arts reading group for this book in September.
3. You have been given 5 stickers that read, “this is art” and 5
stickers that read “this is not art”
As part of you interaction and understanding of the concepts that you will read in the assigned
book, ‘Believing is Seeing, Creating the Culture of Art’ by Mary Anne Staniszewski
and any relationship in concepts to the book ‘Priceless’, place these stickers with thought to
demonstrate the understanding of these concepts that are presented.
• In the IWB document with visual image the places, images or objects that you choose to tag
each sticker either with a photograph of the placement or a sketch.
• In your IWB comment…Why did you place this statement here?
(Please understand and do not ruin property or be destructive with the stickers. If you cannot
stick them to something then just place them)
Think of this as ‘pre-season visual arts’
and think with creative energy
in this serious play!
the…
Studio Work Summer Assignments
= 60% of IB HLA / visual arts major coursework
Each Studio Work Assignment that is completed should have
approximately 4-6 pages.
The categories of this Studio Work should include the following:
• Demonstrates application of idea and techniques in the studio work
• Illustrate personal connections with investigative contexts that uses limited appropriation
• Research and development of ideas and approaches
• Evidence of creative resolution in the body of work
• Technical competence (skill)
• Inventive and independent approaches in the studio work
5. Complete the summer project for IB-HLA (yr1), and Visual Arts
Major which is:
‘the ‘6+3 Variations composition’ Project’
This is the beginning of the studio component (60%) of your IB visual arts work.
This is an introduction to ideas, concepts, creative thinking – making and doing!
This project is to teach you to think, have new ideas, problem solve and develop quick working
methods. It is experimentation with media, techniques and concepts/ principles of design.
The first 6 pieces are to allow you to experiment with the possibility of the different media and
also compositional structure.
• 6+3 variations ………
Part A: Select one subject matter from the drawing journal
book, ‘642 Things to Draw’, that you feel has possibilities to
explore visually. These are your doodle > noodle drawings!
Exercise your skills first in drawing everyday in this book. The object/ subject matter should
be complex enough to allow for manipulation and develop new ideas…. For example a toothpick
is not as visually exciting as a toothbrush….but….
This object might have a personal representation to something that is you. ie. A dance shoe
because you are a dancer, a Venetian mask that you were given from a trip, etc.
Aim: - create 6 pieces of work based on your exploration of one
object/ subject matter chosen from this book, to explore a wide
variety of media and styles and look for interesting and exciting
personal response/ interpretation.
If you can find this object/ subject matter in real time use this to
observe your subject matter.
Presentation: All of these 6 pieces will be 6” x6” in dimension. You have been given 4 pieces of
multi media paper and 2 illustration boards > one white and one black.
Composition format/ dimensions for all of your 6 variations will be 6”x 6”
Do not use Xerox paper! You will need to experiment on a variety of papers i.e. explore the use of
black and white- this could be white paint on black paper- or the reverse. Watercolor looks best
on the correct paper, collage will be on different types of paper, newspaper and plastic can also
be used in different ways, be innovative. Each composition should be presented as an individual
piece.
All work will be presented in September.
Remember that some of the finished pieces might be used for your final exhibition!
Think of the straightforward ideas first… work on ideas in your IWB.
• a drawing from observation
• using tonal values
• a line drawing
• contour drawing
• positive and negative
• collage
• different media:- paint, pastel, ink, colored watercolor pencils
• mixed media / collage
• scale- small/ large, perspective- side/ aerial/ above
• distortion
• mirror image
• repetition and systems
• iconographic imagery
• metamorphic
• color experimentations- warm / cool
• working with the styles and influences of other artists possibly from your research.
(impressionism, surrealism, pop art, etc.)
EXAMPLES:
Carl Fritschel, ‘Object Variation
(using a sea shell) 2005’
Katie Laux, ‘Object Variation (using a light bulb) 2005’.
These are just suggestions and some examples---try new ones, be original but most important
have fun while exercising your creativity!
Think and create out of the BOX!
Part B:
+3 variation ……… amalgamation compositions
This is the second part of your summer studio work.
• Amalgamation- to bring or combine together or with something else; joined together into a
whole; fused; commix; consolidated; mix; become one; merge- join or combine mix together
different elements.
Visual Example of an amalgamation diagram:
www.sde.idaho.gov/site/humanities/docs/curriculum/7%20Amalgamation.pdf
1. Use the 4”x4” canvas board to create a composition that is an amalgamation
( combination) of the composition, subject matter, media and techniques. Be aware of
the change in scale to smaller scaled dimensions.
2. Use the 8”x10” mat to create an image that is the frame around an image rather than an
image. Lay the mat over something that is chosen and extend that image beyond the 4.5”
x 6.5” area inside of the mat. Creative interpretation > the success will be in the viewer
being able to see what might be in the center, which is not imaged, by the outside (the
mat) being imaged.
3. Using the 6” x6” canvas that was also given to you when you picked up your Pre Season
IB art packet. You will create an amalgamation using 3 chosen of the 6 variation
compositions to combine in one composition. This will involve the use of the different
media, techniques, concepts and composition solutions that you used in three of the
chosen variations 6”x 6” compositions. It is a mixing/ combination of these pieces
selected.
When you have completed all of the 6 + 3 Variation
Composition Project…
> Decide on a presentation format for all 9 of these pieces.
How will they be displayed? Can they work separately and then become something
together as one unit?
Have fun, be playful in your creativity and do not wait until the last part of the summer to
accomplish all work > 
cynthia stan mellow ƥ
5/31/12