Beyond the Border Project Intro

Today we will start a new project. In this project, we will continue to develop our drawing skills, review pen and ink techniques, and introduce colored pencil technique. Here are some examples of finished projects:

        

Objective: Create a 2D mixed media art piece with colored pencil and black ink pen. The main subject matter (animal or insect of your choice) should extend past the inner rectangle, branching into  the border around it.
The main subject should remain in color, but everything else turns black & white outside the main rectangle.

You must complete the following mini lessons before you will receive the final project paper:

1. Upload your reference photos to your blog. You should upload at least one photo of your chosen animal, and 1-3 photos of objects or scenes you may wish to use in your background and border design.
2. Colored pencil practice coloring page. Color a celebrity coloring page of your choice with colored pencil.
   Do not use the black or white colored pencil. Practice creating custom colors by blending 2-3 colors, create highlights with lighter pencil pressure, and create shadows by mixing in darker colors such as blues, browns, and purples.
3. Pen and ink sketchbook practice. In your sketchbook, practice each of the following pen and ink techniques.
   Star any techniques that you may wish to use in your project and note where you would like to use them:
   
4. Project planning sketch. In your sketchbook, sketch your idea for your project.
   Place your focal point in the Rule of Thirds. Start with the outside border, then draw an interior rectangle.
   Creatively & selectively expand part of your design onto to the outside border.
   

Project requirements:

• Design fills a 12×16 piece of paper
• Main subject is an animal or insect. Mythical creatures (ie. dragon, phoenix, sphinx, griffin, unicorn) are also acceptable.
• Design contains an inner rectangle. The main subject should “go beyond the border” by extending outside this inner rectangle on at least 3 sides.
• Coloring:
  • anything within the rectangle will be colored with colored pencil
  • anything outside the rectangle will be shaded with black ink pen
  • the main subject (animal or insect) will be colored with colored pencil entirely (regardless of whether it is inside or outside the border)
• Design shows an understanding of contrast, movement, and emphasis

Here is an example of an “A” level project:

Instructions for creating your drawing on good paper:

1. Begin LIGHTLY drawing your interior rectangle by measuring 2 1/2” in from each side.
2. Draw your main subject matter in lightly.
3. Add your back ground extending ONLY PART of it to the edges of the paper. I recommend 3 sides.
4. Color your main subject with colored pencil. Do not use the black colored pencil!
5. Apply black ink to the subject matter (outline & add details) and to the area beyond the border using the pen and ink techniques we have studied.