PHOTOSHOP:
The Impressionist Project
OBJECTIVE:
Students will create a painting that emulates a particular Impressionistic
style. Students will become familiar with famous impressionists, such as Cassatt,
Monet, Manet,
Renoir, Dega,
Seurat, VanGogh,
and Pissaro.Be
sure to click on the link to the evaluation page
for complete details!
STEP ONE: Find a photograph that is a landscape. It must
have a wide variety of color, a good composition (background, middleground,
foreground), and a clear center of attention. Man-made objects should be kept
to a minimum, so that the landscape can be the main subject. (Water scenes
are fine, as long as they have all the elements mention above.)(Be sure you
have your photo with you daily in class, in order to participate.)
STEP TWO: Open a new file in Photoshop that is 18x24"
(or 24x18"), RGB, 300 dpi, white background. Look at the format of your
photo to determine which format to use. Use guidelines to create a one inch
border on all sides.
STEP THREE: Zoom down so that your page is small enough to
draw on easily. Use the pencil tool and a light gray line to create
a simple line drawing that captures your composition. Don't worry about detail.
Concentrate on capturing major areas of color, and creating a clear center
of attention. Remember to use diagonals to move the viewer's eye to the center
of the canvas.
STEP FOUR: Before you start adding color, use the Rectangular
Selection Tool to create a "box" or frame around the outside of
your drawing (just inside the 1" border). Stroke the frame with the same
light gray. Be sure all your color areas tie to that box.
STEP FIVE: Begin by blocking in very light colors in all areas. This will serve as background for the actual brushstrokes. If you are reading this on Monday, Mar. 6, the first ten people to send me an email mentioning this project get ten extra points added to their third quarter grade.
STEP SIX:
When all areas have a soft, light color, begin using Brushes to create an
Impressionistic effect. Remember that the more brushstrokes and texture you
create, the better your painting will be! Continue working until all areas
have a lush, thick covering of brushstrokes. Remember that objects closest
to the front of the canvas will be the largest and most distinct. Colors are
softer and brushstrokes smaller and less distince in the distance.
LINKS to sites about
IMPRESSIONISM:
Impressionism & Post-Impressionism
(just for fun)
