Positive Negative

  • Use one piece of black construction paper and one piece of white paper. I have cut the black paper to be about 6″ x 9″.
  • The black paper needs to be much smaller than the white paper. We will use the large white paper, 11″ x 17″.
  • Think about what you want to do before you start.
  • Make sure that the shapes that you want to cut out of the black paper will fit onto the white paper.
  • Cut out shapes from the black paper and flip them over like a mirror image onto the white paper so that the edges are still touching.
  • Detail is what makes this spectacular.
  • Be creative and enjoy the process!
  • Here are some very detailed examples to inspire you.

Assigned: Friday September 20, 2024

Due: Friday October 4, 2024

Perspective Art

For this project you will need to understand the meaning of Horizon Line and Vanishing Point.  Both will be described during class time.

Make sure that you:

  • use our large white paper
  • sketch very lightly in pencil first
  • include a clear horizon line
  • have a single vanishing point (which can be bigger than a point)
  • have larger objects in the foreground and smaller objects in the background
  • have lots of detail in your drawing
  • use only pencil crayons to colour (not markers)
  • use colour blending and shading to add complexity
  • do your own work, without copying from another source
  • take pride in your work, as always

Real World Examples

Student Examples:

Due: Friday September 27, 2024

Tessellation Art

Students will create some fabulous tessellations. 

The word tessellate is a verb which means to create a pattern with small interlocking squares, often mosaic tiles on a floor.  However tessellations are often used in other art forms.  There is even a link between tessellations and some math that 

we will be looking at soon.  M.C. Escher was a famous and very talented artist who was fascinated by tessellations.  You can watch a little video about him here. I know your tessellations will be as creative and beautiful as the examples on this page…or even more so!  It’s not difficult to make a tessellation, but you do need to be precise.  Imagination is key.

Follow these steps to make a basic tessellation:

  1.   Use one of the square pieces of cardboard that I give you (three inches by three  inches).
  2.   Draw a wiggly pattern from almost one corner to almost the other corner on the same edge of the square.  Don’t get too complicated or it will be difficult to cut.
  3.   Cut out the shape carefully in one piece because you still need it.
  4.   Carefully slide the cut out piece across the square to the opposite side without flipping it over or twisting it in any direction.  It’s a translation, not a reflection or a rotation.
  5.   Tape the cut piece on to it’s new location.  Make sure that it is lined up directly across from where you took it.
  6.   Trace the shape on a big piece of paper multiple times. It can be on an angle on the page, it doesn’t have to be straight.
  7.   The tiles should fit together as perfectly as possible.
  8.   Turn the paper around and look at it until you see something interesting in the shape.
  9.   Sketch some detail into each shape, making them the same, or differing them in a repeated pattern.
  10.   Add more detail with pencil crayon and shading.  Do not use markers.

You can create a more challenging tessellation by changing two sides of the square.  Have a look at this video if you’d like more of a challenge. Or, have a look at this website for a step by step explanation with pictures.

Remember, always do your best work!

Due:  Friday September 27, 2024