Cam is working on a small-scale surrealistic landscape with an interesting artichoke-like tree that is large-scale compared to the surrounding landscape and waterfall. He is using intense shading to make the 2-D drawing a 3-D scene. This composition has motion, texture, depth, atmospheric perspective, and lovely values.

Cam should be proud of his work so far!

Cam helped me put up the Brag Wall, and he added two of his best drawings so far! Cam is very proud of his artwork, and he should be proud of his accomplishments so far! He decided not to pursue a large-scale drawing of his lizard and opted for doing a large-scale landscape drawing instead with waterfalls. He did some preparation work to plan for his drawing. I showed him some landscape drawings and paintings by Arthur Dove.

Aiden worked on his Negative Space Drawing of a Chair. He completed his hand drawings which incorporated perceiving edges. Now we are focused on perceiving spaces. By focusing on the negative spaces, the positive space of chair appears. The left brain drops out of the drawing because it cannot name or label parts of the chair, but the right brain is at home focusing on the shapes of the negative spaces.

We will continue working on this negative space drawing.

Cam worked on his sketch for his Surrealism Project. We talked about the size of his paper and possibly moving his sketch to a larger, heavier piece of paper. Cam wants to stay working on his drawing in his sketchbook. I asked him to think about the negative space around his lizard and how he could incorporate more visual interest in the negative space. Cam came up with a very exciting background for his drawing! He is fearless in his creative approach! Bravo, Cam! I think it is important for him to explore his ideas and develop his personal artistic style.

Aiden was absent, so this was a planning period. I prepped his sketchbook, so it is ready for him to draw the Negative Space Drawing of a Chair.

Ben is continuing to work on his drawings. We looked at some of his drawings in his sketchbook. I encouraged him to think about curating his impressive collection of artwork into a senior show. He said he would not be interested in that. I told him I think it is valuable and important for artists to pursue their interests and create a body of work.

He will continue to work on drawings that interest him. This goal meets these standards of an advanced drawing course:

VA.912.C.1.1
Integrate curiosity, range of interests, attentiveness, complexity, and artistic intention in the art-making process to demonstrate self-expression.

VA.912.F.1.2
Manipulate or synthesize established techniques as a foundation for individual style initiatives in two-, three-, and/or four-dimensional applications.

Aiden worked on these exercises and was quite pleased with his hand drawing. He finished his first fully realized drawing. His shading is excellent. He started a second drawing following the guidelines of the exercise.

For comparison, we looked at Aiden's Pre-Instruction Drawing #3: Draw Your Hand that he did on Monday of this week next to his latest drawing of his hand. He should be very proud! Excellent work, Aiden!

Cam is absent today.

PJ worked on his Chicken Skydiving drawing. I asked him to think about the landscape and environment where the chicken was landing. I also asked him to think about scale: the size of the chicken compared to the man on the ground. PJ used colored pencils to add color and texture to his drawing.

I am letting PJ choose his next project, so he has more ownership and intrinsic interest and investment in the artwork.

Cam wants to do a Surrealistic Drawing Project. Building upon his learning: bridging his tree drawing and still life drawing together, Cam will create a surrealistic drawing with good use of line, shading, form, positive and negative space, texture, and depth.

I showed Cam four different artworks that were created in the Surrealism Style:
1. Salvidor Dali, The Persistence of Memory, 1931 (Melting Clocks)
2. Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939
3. Meret Oppenheim, Object (Fur covered coffee cup, saucer, and spoon).
4. Jacqueline Kern, Dollhouse Dreams #10: Everywhere You Go, There You Are, 2023

I bought my Dollhouse Dreams #10: Everywhere You Go, There You Are painting to the art room, and Cam and I discussed the metaphors of the rib cage, the brick wall, the plum trees, and the enlarged exposed anatomically painted human heart. Cam had great insight about the metaphors. He will be including animals in his drawing project and is excited to start. He finished the letters for the Brag Wall. He did a great job choosing cool colors or the word BRAG and warm colors for the word WALL. He also incorporated a variety of patterns on the letters.

Great job, Cam, for taking leadership on the Brag Wall.