Welcome

The smART studio at DeWitt Middle School emphasizes three main tenets; creating and learning through design process thinking (studio habits of mind), thoughtful verbal and written reflection on Visual Language and it's conversation with the self and humanity, and connections between each other and the world outside our school environment.

So, find your interest and feed the curiosity! Investigate, explore, sketch, create, review, revise, inspire, be inspired and create again. The cycle of learning—the cycle of design—is more than a privilege, it's the pathway to understanding. Through the Arts we cultivate self-directed, self-motivated habits of mind that lead us through a life-long pursuit of learning and participating in society.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

7th Grade Portrait Project

Portraits of Value.
We've spent the last week studying and practicing value scales in color pencil, graphite pencil, patterns (hatching, cross-hatching, stippeling) and charcoal. In your sketchbook you should have examples of ....




1. The
tornato technique.




2. Value Scales in pencil, color pencil, patterns and charcoal.



3. Two cubes (shading creates the illusion of 3D!)





















4. A monochromatic 'Scribble Drawing' using the tornato technique.


















5. Crumpled paper observational drawing. (extra credit!)























NOW...The Grid Portrait. Show your skills!! Choose one medium (color pencil, pencil, pen, or charcoal) to create a portrait using the grid method.

Projects Steps:
1. Select a high contrast photo (must be a portrait) of 6"x 8".
2. Create a grid on top of the photo by measuring (with a ruler) 1/2" intervals on the top,
bottom and sides of the photo.
3. On a 12"x 18" white drawing paper measure and mark 1" intervals at the top, bottom and
sides of the paper. Use a ruler to draw connecting lines. Be careful to insure lines are
straight and exactly 1" apart.
4. Concentrate on the value of a square in the photograph and replicate the value in the
corresponding square on your drawing paper. Try to "see" the value and NOT get lost in
line or objects. Each square should be treated like its own small piece of art.


Daily Visual Journal 2.27.12

Grant Wood. Stone City, Iowa 1930.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Power of Animation

This is a beautifully composed stop animation that demonstrates the communicative power of the Visual Arts! The storyline is wonderfully constructed and the visuals are stunning & compelling (call to action). Thank you Ms. Cernera for posting this 'short' on you blog!! And, yes.... I too feel like grabbing a good book, finding a comfy chair, and diving into a literary adventure!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Daily Visual Journal 2.13.12


The Colossal and Notable Graffiti by Blu

*Thank you Spackenkill art program for posting a great collection of contemporary artists and art sites!
This image was found through their website.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Daily Visual Journal 2.10.12


The Great Wave off Kanagawa (神奈川沖浪裏 Kanagawa Oki Nami Ura?, lit. "Under a Wave off Kanagawa"), also known as The Great Wave or simply The Wave, is a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Hokusai. An example of ukiyo-e art, it was published sometime between 1830 and 1833[1] (during the Edo Period) as the first in Hokusai's series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei (富嶽三十六景?)), and is his most famous work.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Daily Visual Journal 2.9.12


J. M. Flagg's 1917 poster, based on the original British Lord Kitchener poster of three years earlier.
Great example of personification.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Daily Visual Journal 2.8.12


Photo portrait by Steve McCurry. As seen on the cover of National Geographic June 1985.

*Learn more about the story:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2002/04/afghan-girl/index-text

Monday, February 6, 2012

Daily Visual Journal 2.6.12


Pablo Picasso, The Tragedy, 1903, oil on wood, 1.053 x .690 m (41 7/16 x 27 3/16 in.), National Gallery of Art, Washington, Chester Dale Collection

Friday, February 3, 2012

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Daily Visual Journal 2.2.12

The first five minutes of every class is dedicated to a written reflection in our Visual Journals (Sketchbooks). Please remember to answer, in complete sentences, the following questions:

1. What do you think the artist is trying to convey in this piece? What is the message, feeling, call to action, or idea that you think about when you observe this artwork?
2. What clues did the artist use (thinking about our visual language: elements of art and principles of design) to convey the message, feelings or ideas? Remember to be specific in telling me where you see the clues!


J.M.W. Turner, Steamer in a Snowstorm. 1842. Oil on Canvas. 91.5 x 122 cm. Tate Gallery, London.