ASSIGNMENT 2

Monochromatic Illustration: Living Color

“ A light blue is like a flute, a darker blue a cello; a still darker a thunderous double bass; and the darkest blue of all – an organ.”

Wassily Kandinsky

Objective
Create a monochromatic illustration, using a wide range of values and being mindful of the various effects of value contrast. As demonstrated in class, value contrasts can be used
1. to suggest form, space, rhythm and movement in a composition
2. to emphasize the focal area of the composition
3. to achieve balance in a composition

The reason why the scheme is monochromatic is because we want to eliminate the contrast of hue to concentrate on contrast of value.

Specs
Size: any format (square, horizontal, or vertical), not smaller than 8” by 8”
Medium: gouache

Instructions
1.research one of the creatures provided and create at least 3 concept sketches
2.using a broad range of values, create a study of the various tints and shades you intend to use in your illustration. You can choose to include white, black – either mixed or pure, and grays, but the dominant color should be the chosen hue
3.in class on February 5: create color sketches for chosen concept using the value study created in step 2.
4.February 12: final illustration due

A Note on using Naples Yellow to mix tints
As demonstrated in class, mixing black to create shades of a given hue tends to destroy the vitality of the resulting color. We discussed using mixed chromatic darks and/or dark earth tones. Similarly, when you mix tints using white, you will notice that the resulting mixture (especially for the lighter hues of the spectrum - yellow, yellow-green, orange, yellow-orange) tends to become cooler. You can avoid this by using Naples Yellow instead of white. You are encouraged to experiment with Naples Yellow for mixing tints.

Reading: The Seven Color Contrasts by Johannes Itten