Jon Klassen - Contextual Investigation

This is Two-week homework. 3 questions this week, 3 the next.

Objectives
To further your understanding of graphic communication practitioners

Task
Using the web and my books, research and present a contextual investigation about the illustrator John Klassen.

The contents of the investigation should include the following. 

!!You will get extra marks if you draw, plan, describe and doodle elements relating to the investigation!!

WEEK 1
1. Personal Response

Describe who the artist is. You could include major works, a map / info of the town of where they work, a drawing of the artist / their studio. Use your imagination. Do NOT include a biography.

Explain your personal response. Use the pink section on the WAYS OF LOOKING sheet to help your questioning and responses.

2. Comprehension

Criticise and analyse their work. Use the WAYS OF LOOKING sheet to help your questioning. 

3. Characteristics
Take a number of typical examples and bullet point why they are characteristic of the designer. Consider, what makes a typical John Klassen?

WEEK 2
4. Context
Write about the context. What other designers are working at the same time? Include a range of illustrator's work
5. Influences
Research to find out who the designer has been influenced by. To do this you may need to read an interview with the illustrator. 
Just Google "Interview with [illustrator's name]" and read a few passages
Try these:
Read the last 3 paragraphs of this one…
http://www.artofthepicturebook.com/-check-in-with/2014/10/15/interview-with-jon-klassen

…and scroll to half way down this interview, to the paragraph that starts 'The structure of ‘This Is Not My Hat’ came from two…. You’ll find some odd influences there. 
http://blog.picturebookmakers.com/post/152596041611/jon-klassen

…and there are some in this interview towards the start:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/meet-jon-klassen-one-of-the-most-successful-canadian-authors-ever/article21051170/


6. Working in their style
Using photos or drawings that you created yourself or images from the web, emulate the style of the designer that you are researching and create a version or your own.

Checklist for assessment
Relevant images, in-depth research and response in your own words (no copy and paste), accurate emulation.

Time needed
4 hours

Deadline
Week 1 - 3 questions by Tuesday 4th of Dec (checked in class)
Week 2 - Final 3 questions by Tuesday 11th of Dec + presentation of work

Any problems, pop and see me before either deadline.

Klassen Task

1. Create a great title page in your book. This is your Home Learning task.
2. Look closely at the work of Jon Klassen
3. Notice how he uses beautiful handmade textures. Using watercolour, ink, paint, pencil etc, create a set of 8 texture strips that you will use in your emulation of his work. Each should be a little different. Scan them.
4. Choose an old building or street as a starting point for your illustration. A direct link to my pinboard of pics is HERE

Saturation and Greys - Colour Characteristics

Deadline - Wednesday 21st Of November 
Colour Characteristics 3 - Saturation and Greys - Home Learning Task

Paint (or pencil crayon, collage etc) one image twice. Both A5.

First one should use a mixture of prismatic, muted, chromatic and achromatic colour.

The second one should use a mixture of chromatic and achromatic colour.

Cut out stencil spray

Lookey here: Spray Pinterest

Objective
To improve your skills when editing handmade images in Photoshop.

Task
Choose a musician, sports star, film star or somebody else who inspires you. Using an image sourced from the web, open in Photoshop and follow the first tutorial below.
** Ask me if the image is suitable for the task **

Stencil Typefaces!
Here  Here and Here

Presentation
In your sketchbook:

• put prints of your finished Photoshop examples
• work in progress shots from photoshop
• the raw stencils and sprays
• annotate thoroughly

Below are two tutorials for creating stencil spray work. They a taking a lead from the work of Miles Donovan whose work you can see above.

Get comfy and concentrate. Remeber your headphones!

Colour Characteristics 2 - Colour temperature

Deadline - Tuesday 13th Of November 
Colour Characteristics 2 - Colour temperature- Home Learning Task

Over pages in your sketchbook: 
Find two images that you find interesting due to the colour choices made by the artist. Highlight and write about the following:

• How the colour is creating space.
• How saturated and desaturated colour is used.
• How sharp edges and high contrast are used to create space.

Any questions, email me waaay before the deadline! deh@thomasadams.net