Show Your Stripes

color UNIT I: Subjective Color

Project IA Show Your Stripes

Objectives
Studio Fundamentals: To illustrate that one's perception of color and color harmony is, in large measure, a matter of personal preference and taste.

Thematic Concept: To explore how color choice can effectively provide a key to one's identity.

Project Overview Paint an abstract image using only stripes consisting of solid colors that communicate a personal theme or key to your personal identity.

References for further study

Zelanski and Fisher, Color, Chapters 1 and 2
artCore, Unit I, Subjective Color
Johannes Itten, The Elements of Color
Guggenheim Museum: Hard-Edge Painting
Gene Davis (ArtCyclopedia)
"Show your Stripes" (trade article)

Vocabulary subjective color, abstract, non-objective, directional orientation, identity, hard-edge, personal theme, thumbnail sketch, construction lines, composition

Materials Acrylic paints, brushes, mixing tray, matte medium, etc.
Straight edge
Drafting tape
15" X 20" illustration board

Process
Preliminary:

Before coming to class, review the thematic concept of Identity as found on the website. Also, read the discussion on Subjective Color for Unit I. Review the Project References and Vocabulary above.

Activity:

Step One: Create a series of thumbnail sketches exploring different potential uses of "stripes" for your final painting. How does the width and orientation of each stripe effect the overall feeling of the design?

Step Two: Choose one thumbnail to use as the basis of a composition for your final painting. Remember, this should be a purely abstract/non-objective design. Do not draw heavy outlines--use light construction lines. Your color choices should determine the level of perceived separation between your stripes. For example, if your have a black stripe next to a white stripe, there will be a lot of separation. Conversely, if you place a very light blue next to a very light gray, there will be less separation.

Step Three: Develop a personal palette of colors. Create color swatches (little color tests) by mixing your acrylics. The idea is to arrive at a series of colors that you find personally meaningful, revealing, or affecting.

Step Four: Using your drafting tape, mask off separate regions of your painting. If you want extremely hard edges, paint the region first with clear "matte medium" so that the edges of your tape are sealed. (The matte medium will run under the tape and dry; this will keep your color from running under the tape). Conversely, if you want ragged edges, only lightly apply the tape to the board (this will allow paint to run under the edges). Experiment with different techniques of overlapping and isolating your stripes to achieve different visual effects.

Step Five: As you "fill in" your composition using only solid colors, you may find yourself adjusting your palette slightly to allow each color to "read" in the desired manner. Remember, the main idea is to communicate a personal theme purely through color choices and composition. Keep going until your entire illustration board is completely covered in paint. You may even want to go back in and create more overlapping shapes to heighten or obscure certain areas.

Rules of the game:

You must mix every color that you use--do not use color straight from the tube.
Your theme should be able to be summarized in word or two.
Keep your theme a secret
All stripe widths and directional orientations can be used.
Edges may be either "ragged" or "hard edged."

Discussion and Critique Ideas
When you have completed your composition, divide into small groups and exchange artworks with another group from the class. Within your group, work together to respond to each painting in turn. Consider the following:

Describe the color palettes your fellow artists used and discuss how various color effects were achieved.
In the context of the composition, point out any specific colors or shapes that the artist used to indicate a particular meaning or mood.
Discuss the personality of the artist who created the work. Try to guess the "theme" or "identity" the artist was trying to communicate.
After some sharing of interpretations, attempt to state the message of the composition in one sentence. (This artwork is about. . .)
Explain how the shapes, symbols, or other elements of the composition support its message.

The final critique consists of a series of preliminary written judgments by fellow classmates, followed by an oral statement by the artist, and concluding with a comparison of the audience's interpretations and the artist's intention related to color and communication.

The goal is to determine whether or not personal color harmonies (or in the case of more discordant themes, disharmony) and communication with color can accurately be interpreted by viewers not sharing the same perspectives.

Return to UNIT I Overview

Project IA	*Show Your Stripes*
Objectives	Studio Fundamentals: To illustrate that one's perception of color and color harmony is, in large measure, a matter of personal preference and taste. Thematic Concept: To explore how color choice can effectively provide a key to one's identity.
Project Overview	Paint an abstract image using only stripes consisting of solid colors that communicate a personal theme or key to your personal identity.
References for further study	Zelanski and Fisher, Color, Chapters 1 and 2 artCore, Unit I, Subjective Color Johannes Itten, The Elements of Color Guggenheim Museum: Hard-Edge Painting Gene Davis (ArtCyclopedia) "Show your Stripes" (trade article)
Vocabulary	subjective color, abstract, non-objective, directional orientation, identity, hard-edge, personal theme, thumbnail sketch, construction lines, composition
Materials	Acrylic paints, brushes, mixing tray, matte medium, etc. Straight edge Drafting tape 15" X 20" illustration board
Process	Preliminary: Before coming to class, review the thematic concept of Identity as found on the website. Also, read the discussion on Subjective Color for Unit I. Review the Project References and Vocabulary above. Activity: Step One: Create a series of thumbnail sketches exploring different potential uses of "stripes" for your final painting. How does the width and orientation of each stripe effect the overall feeling of the design? Step Two: Choose one thumbnail to use as the basis of a composition for your final painting. Remember, this should be a purely abstract/non-objective design. Do not draw heavy outlines--use light construction lines. Your color choices should determine the level of perceived separation between your stripes. For example, if your have a black stripe next to a white stripe, there will be a lot of separation. Conversely, if you place a very light blue next to a very light gray, there will be less separation. Step Three: Develop a personal palette of colors. Create color swatches (little color tests) by mixing your acrylics. The idea is to arrive at a series of colors that you find personally meaningful, revealing, or affecting. Step Four: Using your drafting tape, mask off separate regions of your painting. If you want extremely hard edges, paint the region first with clear "matte medium" so that the edges of your tape are sealed. (The matte medium will run under the tape and dry; this will keep your color from running under the tape). Conversely, if you want ragged edges, only lightly apply the tape to the board (this will allow paint to run under the edges). Experiment with different techniques of overlapping and isolating your stripes to achieve different visual effects. Step Five: As you "fill in" your composition using only solid colors, you may find yourself adjusting your palette slightly to allow each color to "read" in the desired manner. Remember, the main idea is to communicate a personal theme purely through color choices and composition. Keep going until your entire illustration board is completely covered in paint. You may even want to go back in and create more overlapping shapes to heighten or obscure certain areas. Rules of the game: You must mix every color that you use--do not use color straight from the tube. Your theme should be able to be summarized in word or two. Keep your theme a secret All stripe widths and directional orientations can be used. Edges may be either "ragged" or "hard edged."
Discussion and Critique Ideas	When you have completed your composition, divide into small groups and exchange artworks with another group from the class. Within your group, work together to respond to each painting in turn. Consider the following: Describe the color palettes your fellow artists used and discuss how various color effects were achieved. In the context of the composition, point out any specific colors or shapes that the artist used to indicate a particular meaning or mood. Discuss the personality of the artist who created the work. Try to guess the "theme" or "identity" the artist was trying to communicate. After some sharing of interpretations, attempt to state the message of the composition in one sentence. (This artwork is about. . .) Explain how the shapes, symbols, or other elements of the composition support its message. The final critique consists of a series of preliminary written judgments by fellow classmates, followed by an oral statement by the artist, and concluding with a comparison of the audience's interpretations and the artist's intention related to color and communication. The goal is to determine whether or not personal color harmonies (or in the case of more discordant themes, disharmony) and communication with color can accurately be interpreted by viewers not sharing the same perspectives.