Imaginative Realism OC's

 

What is Imaginative Realism?

Imaginative Realism is the realistic depiction of the unreal. 

Think Dungeons and Dragons, Wings of Fire, Magic The gathering. Fairies, Monsters, Trolls, Dragons,  Mermaids, and all sorts of other make-believe creatures.

Imaginative Realism Slides

Students began with an introduction to the artwork of Jesper Ejsing who creates characters and scenes for Dungeons and Dragons, along with other fantasy creations. Some of his work is pictured below: 

Jesper Ejsing Website

After learning about what Imaginative Realism is and some of the characteristics of that type of artwork students were asked to create their own original character based off of the common characteristics of the style. 

Students must include value and shading appropriately on their characters, and had to create some sort of texture as well as including details to make their character really come to life. 

We reviewed different techniques for creating value using colored pencils and then I taught them different textures that could be achieved with colored pencils. 

Materials:
Pencil
Brown paper
Sharpie (optional) 
White Gel Pen (optional) 
Colored pencils

The examples I made are: 

Student projects are trickling in... in this virtual world were living in, it is most difficult to get things turned in when students have so much else going on in their lives. I'll take what I can get though! 

Student artwork pictured below:

Fractured Still Life Drawing

Fractured Still Life Drawing

I began this lesson with a google slide presentation which covered what a contour line drawing, still life drawing are and what composition means. I have not completed this lesson with students, but will update this post with student art when they start rolling in :) 

Google Slide Presentation- contour line, still life, composition

 

 

Materials:

White paper (needs to be at least 8.5x11, larger is better) 

Pencil, sharpie, colored pencils, blending stump (if you don't have one, you can use your finger, paper towel, or tissue) 

RULER or STRAIGHT EDGE (use a book or something that has a straight edge if you do not have a ruler) 

Directions:

1. Arrange an interesting still life composition of 8-10 items. 

2. Using pencil, create a contour line drawing of the composition. (DO NOT SHADE) 

3. Using pencil, draw 8-10 of the same geometric shape (they should be different sizes) OVERLAP your contour still life objects 

                              

4. Using sharpie, outline any pieces of the items that are NOT inside of a box. DO NOT OUTLINE THE BOXES!!!!

                               

5. Decide which materials to use inside which boxes. You are adding value/color to the items, but ONLY inside the boxes. Some should be done with just sharpie, some with pencil, and some with colored pencil. 

                                   

6. Lastly- you need a background that doesn't take away from your drawing. I decided to create evenly spaced vertical lines through the back of mine. It is your choice what to do for your background.

Background Rules: 

Should be done only with pencil and sharpie. (pencil first for sure!) 

DO NOT draw through your boxes or items! 

Simple is best. 

                                       

An Unconventional Focus on Art!

So I have a new gig this year, I am the Focus  Art teacher for my county. I go to all 8 of our middle schools, to work with students who are identified as gifted in the visual arts. I see each group of students approximately twice a month and meet with them on consecutive days. So far, its been AWESOME!

I have a theme this year for my instruction, and it is "Unconventional." These gifted students are used to drawing with pencil on paper, and painting with acrylic on canvas so I want them to experience new ways to make art!

Our first mini project was for students to create a work of art on a notecard. The size was where the idea of unconventional art came in- I gave them free choice of their subject and materials.

After an unconventional sized work of art, we began talking about the kinetic performance artist Heather Hansen.
Students viewed this video and learned about her art style.

Not one of my students had ever tried drawing with both hands at the same time so it was an interesting project approach for them. They had to begin by using both hands at the same time, their subject could be realistic or abstract.

These works of art are on a piece of 18x24 drawing paper. Students enjoyed working on a larger piece of paper which I taped to the table so that it wouldn't move as they were drawing with both hands. 

It was a great experimental project!