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Journal Sketchbooks

Objective:  To have students get used to drawing.  To encourage students to take a closer look at the physical world around them as well as the ideas in their imaginations.

You will need a minimum of five (5) entries every week.  I encourage you to have as many as possible, but try to do at least one entry per weekday.  There will be one (1) REQUIRED sketch of a specific subject for each week.  The required sketch will relate to the week's activities somehow.   These will be graded on each Monday.  The other four entries may include any of the following:

Nature sketches (plants, flowers, animals, insects, landscapes, etc.)

Sketches from photographs

Sketches of objects

Sketches of any organized still-life

Sketch studies of people, facial expressions, eyes, mouths, etc.

Abstract designs

Sketches of buildings

Sketches from your imagination

Quotes and artistic examples****(See below)

--Each entry should include written notation identifying the subject, person(s), the date sketched, location, and any other pertinent information or facts, which might be important for later reference (i.e. size, color, texture, odors, sounds, mood, situation, or reactions, etc.)

--****Your sketchbook journal should include inspirational quotes from artists, examples of artists’ work, interesting photographs, and even ideas for future artwork of your own.  These things can be included as part of the weekly entries.  Refer to the accompanying list for your class of the one required entry for each week.

--Everyday Art—

--Keeping a sketchbook conditions you to look closer and see even the most common objects with fresh eyes.  It’s great practice in drawing.  On a more direct level, you can keep a journal to delve deeply into a subject that you love, or as a way to watch your ideas evolve—that make take shape in future artworks.

--Your sketchbook will serve as a nostalgic, precious record of where you’ve been, both physically and emotionally.  But journaling is as much about the act as the finished entry…the here-and-now of stopping and looking a little closer within yourself and at the world around you.

During the second semester, you will be given a list of five images each week.  You will need to draw and color an illustration that juxtaposes the five images in some way.  to JUXTAPOSE means to combine or unite in some manner.

Examples of juxtaposed journal sketches:

  An African motif, something poisonous, something burning, an organic pattern, a religious symbol

  A basket of fruit, something dying, a rainbow, something slimy, a gold coin

  A broom, an original cartoon character, something made of lace, a clock, an aquarium

  A broom, an original cartoon character, something made of lace, a clock, an aquarium

  A giraffe, a tool, a calculator, a bottle of mustard, a musical instrument