ILL 333: Mixed Media Exploration

Students in this course can expect to learn to:

• Explore and research a variety of creative image-making techniques such as employing technology, digital compositing, traditional drawing and/or painting techniques, mixed media, collage, and/or other artmaking strategies.
• Research and examine the work of recognized artists who employ mixed media strategies to produce their professional and artistic work.
• Experiment with multiple mixed media artmaking techniques in order to develop and produce visually compelling illustrations and creative artwork with consideration of historical concepts, artistic styles, aesthetics, and artmaking trends.
• Examine, gather, analyze, synthesize, and professionally present research and concepts in alignment with the course content, assignment criteria, and presentation guidelines.
• Actively participate in class discussions/meetings, constructively assess the work of your peers, and enhance your creative work based upon feedback.
• Demonstrate effective and efficient use of traditional media and classic techniques, consider proportion, perspective, value contrast, and the human figure (if applicable), and expand your ability to conceptualize and develop compelling and innovative illustrations and/or artwork.
• Where applicable, create images and graphics by effectively and efficiently using creative software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, as well as other industry and web-based technologies.
• Produce and present your innovative image-making techniques and resulting creative work.
• Effectively generate, clearly convey, and support ideas by employing critical thinking, communication, and writing skills while considering divergent perspectives, cultural framing, historical context, research, and ethical concerns when providing critiques of peers’ work and participating in presentation sessions.

• Computer with Internet connection.
• Art supplies: Most of the assignments allow for a choice of which medium you will want to use. I suggest looking through the individual projects first, before acquiring materials, and then decide which materials may serve you best. The following may be needed:
• Examples of Traditional Mediums: Color Pencils, Charcoal Pencils, Charcoal Sticks, Compressed Charcoal, Chalk Pastel, Oil Pastel, Watercolor, Gouache, Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, India Ink, Ink Pens, Markers
• Examples of Traditional Grounds and Supports: Drawing Paper, Charcoal Paper, Pastel Paper, Watercolor Paper, Canvas, Canvas Board, Panel
• Experimental Mediums and Grounds: Do your research. Anything can be used to make art, but find out what goes together safely and successfully
• Other Necessary Supplies: Acrylic Matte Medium or Clear Craft Glue (Elmer’s Glue, X-Acto Blade or Scissors, Cutting Board, Kneaded Eraser, Pink Eraser, White Eraser