Photoshop Mini Lessons: Day 1

Today’s essential question: What are some ways to remove the background from a Photoshop file?

Today we will finish sharing our artwork with the class. Then we will start using Photoshop!

If you feel like you understand Photoshop well, consider becoming a student leader and help teach your classmates how to do the mini lessons. (Notice that I said teach, not do their projects for them!)

Today we will learn how to create a collage in Photoshop by completing two mini lessons. These tutorials will teach us how to remove the background from an image in Photoshop and how to make it look like a kitten is in a box. Everyone should complete the veggie tutorial. If you have time, guide yourself through the kitten in a box tutorial. We will save a Photoshop version of our file AND a png of each tutorial to our 890# AND our Google Drive folder, and post the PNG to our blogs. You must create a new blog post that contains the work you did today in order to receive participation points.

Links to the resources we will use today:

Veggie Tutorial (teaches us how to use a variety of tools to remove the background from an image)

Veggie tutorial starter file

Completed veggie tutorial

In order for it to be considered complete, it must meet the following requirements:

• the background needs to be removed from the tomato, broccoli, onion, and mushroom
• you must have duplicated at least one of the vegetables
• you must have transformed the copy of the vegetable you duplicated by scaling and rotating it
• you must add a shadow to at least one of the vegetables

Click here to view the step-by-step instructions for the veggie Photoshop tutorial. (If you do not have this file open and cannot tell me what step you need help with, I will not help you.)

Click here to download the veggie Photoshop starter file.

Bonus Tutorial: Kitten in a Box (teaches us how to make an object look like it is inside a container)

Finish early? Complete this tutorial to learn how to Photoshop a kitten into a box.

Kitten in box tutorial starter file

Completed kitten in box tutorial

• Click here to view the step-by-step instructions for the kitten in a box tutorial. (If you do not have this file open and cannot tell me what step you need help with, I will not help you.)
• Click here to download the kitten in a box tutorial starter file.

Today we will:

• Finish sharing our artwork with the class.
• Complete the veggie tutorial. Save your file to your 890# AND your Foundations 1 Google Drive folder as both a photoshop (.psd) file and a .png file.
• If you have time, complete the kitten in a box tutorial
• Create and publish a new blog post with the following:
  • a png of your completed veggie image
  • a png of your completed kitten dress up image
  • a png of your completed kitten in a box image (if you got that far)
  • a paragraph describing how you create each image. Include any challenges you faced, and how you worked through those challenges.

Day 2: Setting Up Blogs & Google Drive Folders

Today we will share our favorite artwork, finish setting up our class blogs, and share a Foundations 1 folder with Ms. Lawson in our school Google Drive accounts. If you finish early, you may decorate your class folder or help classmates catch up.

The following people need to email Ms. Lawson (2013045@rcsd121.org) the link to their class blog:

• Chan
• Olecia
• Miriam
• James
• Claire
• Jaelin

The following people need to finish their intro blog post (make sure  you post a unique picture AND answer the required questions):

• Chan
• Olecia
• Miriam
• James
• Claire
• Jaelin
• Ameena
• Paris
• Erika
• Taliyah
• Talia
• Hayaleira
• Kay

Everyone needs to create a Google Drive Folder for this class and share it with Ms. Lawson.

Creating a Shared Media Folder in Google Drive

1. Log into your school Gmail account. (Username: student # @rcsd121.org; Password: same password you use to log into the school computers.)
2. Click on the squares in the top right corner of the screen and select Drive
   
3. Click on “New” on the top left side of the screen and then “Folder” from the drop down menu to create a new folder
   
4. Name your folder “LastName_FirstInitial_Foundations1”
5. Right click on the folder and select “Share.”
   
6. Share the folder with me (2013045@rcsd121.org) and make sure you give me permission to add items.
   

Deleting Filler Blog Posts:

Everyone also should delete any filler blog posts (things you did not create that have appeared on your blog and are confusing Ms. Lawson). Here are some examples:

Only delete filler blog posts. DO NOT DELETE your intro blog post! Ask a classmate or Ms. Lawson if you are unsure.

How to delete filler blog posts

1. Click on “My sites” -> Blog Posts
   
2. Click “More” on the bottom right side of the preview:
   
3. Click “Trash:
   

Need help? Please follow the following process:

When you finish everything, check with Ms. Lawson to make sure your blog is working properly, then help the rest of your classmates catch up or decorate your folder.

Today we will:

• Share our favorite artwork
• Create a Foundations 2 folder in our school Google Drive accounts and share it with Ms. Lawson
• Finish setting up our class blogs & creating our first blog post
• Delete any filler blog posts (things you did not create that have appeared on your blog and are confusing Ms. Lawson).
• Decorate our class folders or help classmates catch up

 

 

Welcome to the Media Component of Foundations 1!

Welcome to the Media component of Foundations 1. In this class, we will explore a range of digital art techniques and become experts at using Photoshop.

Today we will look at some of Ms. Lawson’s artwork and set up our class blogs. By the end of this class you should:

• set up your class blog
• email Ms. Lawson the link to your class blog from your school Gmail account
• publish your first blog post

You must email Ms. Lawson the link to your blog and publish a blog post today in order to receive participation points.

Ms. Lawson’s Artwork

Computer Art

Drawing

Ceramics

Animation

snore animation

Why is it important to be skilled with a variety of art materials and styles?

Part 1: Setting up a WordPress account

1. Click here to set up a WordPress account. (This will be your Foundations 1 class blog.) You may choose any free template you like, but keep in mind that you will need to post both text and images, so you should pick a template that supports both of these requirements well. Use your school Gmail address (890….@rcsd121.org) – you will have to verify your email in order to publish blog posts.
2. Log into your school email account, open the email from WordPress, and click on the link to verify your email address.

Part 2: Logging into your district Gmail account

1. Click here to log into your district Gmail account. Your username will be your student ID # @rcsd121.org.) Ex. 8123456@rcsd121.org, and your password is your district computer password. (Your district gmail account has unlimited storage space and will give you access to DropBox, which is a great free way to back up your files.)
2. Click on the email from WordPress to verify your class blog.
3. Email Ms. Lawson (2013045 at rcsd121.org) from your district Gmail account. You will not receive credit if you email me from another email client. Your email should include:
   1. Your first and last name
   2. A link to your WordPress blog. For example, “Stephanie Lawson – My blog URL is SOTAfoundations1.wordpress.com.”

Part 3: Publishing your first blog post

Publish your first post by clicking on this icon at the top of your WordPress screen
Include the following:

1. Post an image by following these steps:
   1. Go to images.google.com
   2. type in what you are looking for (ex. “cutest kitten in the world”)
   3. click on the image you want to download
   4. control +click -> save images as
   5. save the image to your desktop
   6. Click on the “add media” button
   7. Click on “upload files”
   8. Click on “select file”
   9. Select the image you want to insert
2. Copy and paste the following questions and answer them:
   1. Describe your previous experience with computer art.
   2. Whose is responsible if the computer crashes and your project disappears? What will happen?
   3. How will you back up your work? (hint: blog, Google Drive)
   4. Why is it important to post your work to your blog every class?
3. Click “publish” at the bottom of the screen to publish your post.

Need help? Please follow the following process:

1. Check the blog
2. Ask two classmates
3. Still stuck? Raise your hand and Ms. Lawson will help you as soon as she is available.

If you finish early, help your classmates set up their blogs.

Today we will:

• set up our class blogs
• email Ms. Lawson the link to our class blogs
• publish our first blog post

Group photos from today

Here are most of the photos taken today. I will upload the rest later.

New Project

Today we will begin working on our candy still life drawings.

Learning Target (“Why are we doing this project?”): At the completion of this project, I can draw realistically from observation with colored pencil.

Here are some examples created with watercolor by 9th grade students at Geneseo High School:

Here are some examples created with colored pencil by past 10th grade students:

Project Requirements:

• Strong composition (fills paper, follows rule of thirds, balance of positive and negative space)
• Candy runs off all four edges of square
• Frame is empty on art paper
• Candy still life is photorealistically drawn from reference still life
  • Proportions and angle of view accurately depicted
  • Realistic colors and values created with colored pencil
• Good craftsmanship

New Project: Personal Symbol Prints

Today’s essential question: How can I create a personal symbol that represents me and includes a balance of positive and negative space?

For our next project, you will design a symbol that represents you, create a stamp with that symbol by carving linoleum, and use that stamp to create a series of prints. Your design should feature a balance of positive and negative space. Here are some sample student projects:

Marina, Class of 2017

Alyssa, Class of 2017

Yoshua, Class of 2017

Taylor, Class of 2018

Project Requirements:

• Carve sheet of 5×5″ linoleum
• Create a minimum of 10 prints in a variety of color combinations that display:
  • good craftsmanship (linoleum was neatly carved, prints contain proper amount of ink)
  • understanding of color theory
  • balance of positive & negative space
• Mount on poster board:
  • 1 favorite stand alone print
  • Set of 3 coordinating prints (matted together)
• Must try at least 2 different ink colors
• Must try at least 3 different paper colors

Click here to view the project steps.

Related Vocabulary: Positive & Negative Space

Positive space is the space taken up by the subject of the image.

Negative space is the space around and between the subject or subjects.

Here are some examples of images that contain a balance of positive and negative space:

Today we will:

• Sketch a minimum of 4 designs on brainstorming paper
• Color in the positive space (whatever will be inked) with black Sharpie. Here is an example of what I am looking for:
  
• Draw your final design on large paper
• Color in the positive space with black Sharpie
• Place everything in our class folders

New Project: 3D Environment

For our next project, we will use foam core create a 3D environment with a distinct background, middle ground, and foreground.

Here is an example of a finished project:

Here are the pieces of the project before they were glued together:

Project Requirements:

• Illustrates an environment with a clear theme that creates unity throughout the piece
• Contains 3-4 pieces of foam core to create a clear background, middle ground, and foreground
• Creates the illusion of distance through proper use of overlap, scale/proportion, and aerial perspective
• Use of shading to create a clear light source and illusion of 3-dimensional form
• Your original concept. NO copyrighted characters.
• High-quality craftsmanship

Background, middle ground, foreground

The foreground, middleground, and background in a composition are generally divided into three planes. The foreground of a composition is the visual plane that appears closest to the viewer, while the background is the plane in a composition perceived furthest from the viewer. The middleground is the visual plane located between both the foreground and background.

As objects come forward in space, towards the viewer, they appear larger. As they recede into the background, their scale gets perceptually smaller.

Aerial Perspective

Aerial Perspective is the technique of representing more distant objects as fainter and more blue.

Project Steps:

1. Create a concept sketch. Include:
   1. The items your environment will contain
   2. Which items will be in the background, middle ground, and foreground, respectively
   3. An appropriate light source and color scheme
2. Draw your background, middle ground, and foreground on 3-4 separate sheets of drawing paper (you may choose to create two middle ground layers)
3. Color each piece realistically with colored pencils. Remember to shade!
4. Cut each piece out
5. Use rubber cement to adhere your drawing to the foam core
6. Use an x-acto knife to cut out your pieces
7. Use rubber cement to adhere your middle ground piece to your background piece, and then to adhere the foreground piece to the middle ground piece

Today we will:

• create a concept sketch of our environment
  
• on separate pieces of paper, sketch the items you plan to include in the background, middle ground, and foreground
  

End of Marking Period

This is the last week of the marking period. We will finish and submit all incomplete assignments. If you have completed all assignments, you will learn to draw hands and feet by completing two extra credit sketchbook assignments.

Incomplete Photoshop Celebrity Prints:

(make a new folder for your favorite 4 prints, upload to your school Google Drive account, and share with Ms. Lawson)

• Dynasti
• Danny
• Omarion
• Jamila
• Karen
• Eh Tha
• Carleton
• Keyerra
• Tyrelle
• Kevion
• Sylena
• John

Incomplete Color Wheel Paintings:

• Dynasti
• Omarion
• Kyneisha
• Karen
• Tyrelle
• John

Incomplete Animal Drawings:

• Danny
• Avery
• Nea (small changes)
• Keyerra
• Kevion

Hands Extra Credit:

The following people will be ready to start working on this today:

• Eysha
• Eh Tha
• Hsa Doe
• Sylena

This week we will:

• Finish and turn in any incomplete projects
• Learn to draw hands and feet by completing the extra credit sketchbook assignments

 

Creating a Unified Set of Four Prints

Today’s Essential Question: How will you tie your favorite 4 prints together so they read as one unified artwork? (Remember, you will mount your favorite four prints onto one piece of poster board like my example on the bulletin board. You will want your 4 chosen prints to read as one unified artwork.)

Today we will finish our set of celebrity prints. Each print should contain a different color scheme. Aim for 8-10 prints total. This will give you the most options to pick from, ensuring that your set of four prints will display unity.

Remember, the design seeds website is a great resource for color schemes.

By the end of today’s class, make sure the following have been posted to your blog (anything you posted in a previous blog entry does not need to be reposted):

• The grayscale cutout image of your celebrity (I will print these and you will use them as a reference for your monochromatic painting)
  
• Every version of your celebrity that you have created. You will not like every image, and that is ok. The point of this project is to experiment with different color schemes that push the boundaries of our comfort zone.
• A separate blog post with
  • the four images that you plan to print and mount together. Here are some examples:
    

    Jordyn – 10th Grade

    

    Marina – 10th Grade

  • Create a folder in your Google Drive with your set of 4 favorite prints, and share this folder with Ms. Lawson

Today we will:

• Finish creating our celebrity prints
• Post all the prints (including the original black and white one) to our blogs
• Create a second post with our favorite set of 4 unified prints
• Create a folder in your Google Drive with your set of 4 favorite prints, and share this folder with Ms. Lawson

Adding Color to Our Celebrity Portraits

Today’s essential question: How does color affect the mood of an artwork?

Today we will finish smoothing out our celebrity portraits. You will show your finished design to Ms. Lawson, and once she approves it, you will post a JPG of your smoothed out portrait to our blogs.

Then you will begin adding color to your celebrity portrait, following the steps in this post. You will save each color scheme as a different file name. (ex. arianna_grande_blue, arianna_grande_purple_orange, etc).

A Monochromatic Color Scheme is comprised of different tints and shades of one color.

Review complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes with this blog post. The design seeds website is a great resource for color schemes. I used several of their color schemes for my Drake prints:      

How to Add Color to your Photoshop Portrait

1. Open Photoshop (Go to the windows icon at the bottom left of the screen -> All Programs -> Adobe Master Collection CS5 -> Adobe Photoshop).
2. Open the Photoshop file of your monochromatic celebrity portrait (File -> Open).
3. Convert the Image to CMYK. This will allow you to add color. (Image -> Mode -> CMYK). If will ask if you want to flatten the image by merging the layers. Say yes.
4. Open the image of the color scheme you want to use. Select the move tool.  Use it to drag your color scheme into your photoshop file. Double click on the layer with the color scheme, and name it “color scheme.”
5. Save a version of this file that recognizes that you can add color (File -> Save as -> filename_red_monochromatic.psd)
6. Select the eyedropper tool.  Use it to select your first color. (It is easiest to start with the darkest or lightest color, and get progressively darker or lighter.)
7. Click on the layer with your image.
8. Select the magic wand tool.  Use it to select your first color.
9. At the top of the screen, click Select -> Select Similar. This will select all the areas of that color.
10. Make a new layer.
11. Select the brush tool.  Make sure it is set to 100% hardness. Make the brush size huge by clicking holding down on the right bracket (}) key. Color over your entire image. Only the selected areas should change color.
12. Select -> Deselect
13. Repeat steps for your next color.
14. Repeat steps until you have added all the colors.
15. Save your photoshop file. File -> Save).
16. Save your file as a jpg file. File -> Save As -> filename_red_monochomatic.jpg (or some other name that identifies your color scheme).
17. Close your file.
18. Repeat these steps to create more prints in different color schemes.

Today we will:

• discuss the following color schemes (analogous, monochromatic, triadic, complementary, split complementary)
• demonstrate how to add color in photoshop and save different versions for each color scheme
• create several variations of our portrait using different color schemes
• create a new blog post with the following:
  • our black and white celebrity print
  • each digital version and the color scheme it was inspired by