Computer Art - introduces the use of computers as a medium for the production of original artwork and communication of ideas through print and multimedia presentations. Students are instructed in the methods and vocabulary of electronic drawing, painting and photographic imaging. Most work is done in our MAC lab  using Adobe PhotoShop and Illustrator. Microsoft PowerPoint is also introduced. Scanning and digital photography are combined with traditional art media. The course also improves the student's computer literacy.

Conceptual innovation and practical design skills are stressed.

 

Color Scheme Collage

This is a great way to get students to understand about using color schemes in their work. As one of the first assignments the students do they are also learning about using the drawing tools, selection tools and working with layers. Students crop a small section of an image from a magazine and redraw it. The image must be simplified into flat areas of at least 5 values. Next the image is recreated on the computer as a black and white line drawing. Value scales ranging from almost white to almost black are created with each color scheme. Each area is then filled with a color from one of the color schemes.
Students must then conceive of a plan for combining these color images with a photograph of themselves.

Anthropomorphic Art

Students must take an image of an ordinary object and give it human characteristics. This requires the manipulation of the image or images as well as using the painting tools in Photoshop to create the other objects and the background for the final image.

 

Surrealism using Hand as subject

Students are introduced to Surrealism and the work of Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali and others. They must then create an image with hands as the subject matter. After doing some sketching the hands are photographed in various positions. These images are then manipulated and combined to create the final piece.

 

Combining Two Artists in One Work

Students research artists from eras that are at least 30 years apart. The work is researched to understand what each artist contributed as far as style and work to the history of art. They must then conceive of a way to create a piece of art that appears to have been created with the two artists working together. Reports on the artists are presented to the other students in the class.

The Thinker by Pierre Auguste Rodin combined
with Leaf Ball by Andy Goldsworthy

Narcissus..... by Salvador Dali combined
with photo........by Jerry Uelsmann

Product Label

Coffee Label designed by Computer Art students for Music Department Fundraiser