Homage to the Palette

Recently I visited the home of American Impressionism, the Weir Farm in Wilton CT. As I walked the beautiful grounds I came upon this cutout of a bison. The image painted on it is of Weir's Palace, a portable artist studio that was dragged from location to location.

Weir's Palace

Naturally I thought my students would enjoy creating paintings on some kind of cut-out. Later I recalled a project in my copy of Problems:Solutions, Visual Thinking for Graphic Communication.  

Homage to the Pallette

"Within the confines of the traditional palette, either rectangular or oval shaped, transform the palette into a portrait that reflects the essential characteristics of any chosen individual."

Here is my modification:

Select a famous artist whose style interests you. Research their work and write a one page paper giving a brief description of their work and life. 

Using your own reference photograph (or paint from life) create an image that tries to emulate the feel of your artist work.

Specifications

1. Cut our your pallette from cardboard.
2. Trace out your pallette from my oval template.
3. Cut with x-acto knife. Use a fresh blade as cardboard will quickly dull you knife.
4. Prime with white acrylic.
5. Paint your image with acrylic paint.
6. Submit your paper along with your pallette.

The Process

Cut out the pallette from thick cardboard.

Prime with Gesso.

Use your own photo for reference.

Add depth of color.

My finished palette. Monet I'm not!

Fractured Self-portrait

My Fractured Self Portrait

I drew my portrait by looking in a mirror and you may draw directly from observation. You may borrow a mirror if you need one.

This assignment is typically given to photography students who cut and paste their images to get the result they have in mind.

• Take several photos of yourself. Print the images out changing scale, color etc.
• Use a glue stick to to reconstruct your image. 
• Use this reference to draw your self portrait.

Guidelines

1. This assignment is a drawing assignment!
2. It should be completed by the time your come back from Holiday Break. Yes, that means it’s Homework! This is not a short sketchbook assignment. The resulting image should be "Breadth" quality.
3. This is a pencil assignment. You can work in color or black and white. I used a triadic color scheme with the primary colors.
4. Use white sulfate paper. 
5. Size 12”x18”

But Mr. Boccini, I have an amazing ideas that "____________". Ok, I'm open to different ideas, but you need to sell me!