Design Fundamentals with Kelly Smith

The class will center around composition and learning how to make a complete picture. Composition, the foundation of design, will focus on geometry, shape relationships, and the picture plane. Students will become familiar with thumbnail value studies as preparation for full-scale works and how to maintain their essential design from thumbnail to final. Silhouettes, notan, and grouping values, as well as the separation of values, to create a strong and easily read design will be addressed. We will look at masterworks and analyze the structure of the compositions and complete a series of thumbnail studies from them. It is the most direct way to build awareness of the myriad of possibilities as well as an awareness of the picture plane. The primary mediums will be charcoal and value scale markers however; materials will be of their choosing for their own designs and finished pieces. As with color theory, an understanding of value scale will be addressed as it relates to design and composition.

Supplies are not included in the cost of the workshop. Refer to the Materials List linked below for more information.

Schedule: Fridays, November 10th, 17th, December 1st, 8th, and 15th,

Times: from 2:30 to 5:30 pm

Instructor: Kelly Smith

Location: Arlene’s Artist Materials 

Semester: FALL 2023

Level: ALL

Materials List: Click here for Supply List (PDF Document)

Registration Policies: Stay in the know and review our Registration Information & Policies.