What is ZENTANGLE?

That is a very good question–AND it’s one that is oh-so-very relevant for the upcoming Nature Art Challenge! For the first week of May (that’s May 1-May 7), the focus of our artful explorations will center around exploring nature’s TEXTURES through the art of ZENTANGLE. Let me explain.

The Zentangle method, according to their website,  ”is a way of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is fun and relaxing. Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being.” Sounds like the recipe for focused artful explorations in nature!

Below is an in-process Zentangle that I have been working on. As described in my worksheet that I’ve posted below, I started by drawing the outline of a tree in the school courtyard. I then began dividing the tree into different sections and adding patterns:

Here’s a worksheet that I created for my students, in case they decided to incorporate Zentangle into a mixed media landscape assignment:

This worksheet outlines the basic steps that we will follow during the Nature Zentangle Art Challenge this month. In case you’re still in need of more Zentangle-related information, here is a video demonstrating the method:

Before the challenge begins (this Tuesday), try experimenting around with the Zentangle technique! It really is a lot of fun–and incredibly relaxing!

Tomorrow I will post a little more information regarding this month’s challenge, as well as tips for DAY ONE!

‘Til tomorrow…happy explorations!

One Million Bones!

Well, once again I have fallen out of the blogging world, only to return again just in time for the next month’s challenge. Over the last 5 months, I have been incredibly busy with my student teaching semester/certification testing. Although I have previously taught art, I was never officially certified, so I am definitely looking forward to returning to the art classroom after a 3-year hiatus for grad school/certification! That being said, the month of May should be a little better for me in terms of posting, and June will be even better!

Before we launch into May’s Nature Art Challenge, I wanted to tell y’all a little about what this incredible event that my high school art students and I participated in this afternoon! Although it strays a little from the topic of my blog, I thought it too cool to not share

This spring, a group of students from The University of Texas at Austin decided to participate in the One Million Bones project, a large scale, nationwide installation project initiated by artist Naomi Natale. According to the website, “One Million Bones is a large-scale social arts practice, which means we use education and hands-on artmaking to raise awareness of genocides and atrocities going on around the world this very day.” Through mini-installations, such as the one that I participated in this afternoon, they are planning to collect one million handmade bones. These bones will be installed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2013. To read more about this project, check out the website. There is a very touching video of a 50,000 bone installation that was done in Albuquerque–I would highly recommend watching it!

Here are a few shots from the installation at the Texas State Capitol (about 2,500 bones):

Wow. What a powerful installation…and I can only imagine how impacting the 2013 installation will be! I was so humbled and moved to be a part of  the Austin installation–and I know my students were absolutely thrilled to be a part of something like this. If you get the chance, seriously, check out the One Million Bones website–and let me know what you think of this installation and the national one coming up in 2013!

Tomorrow I’ll begin posting information regarding May’s Nature Art Challenge…should be another interesting time of exploration!

‘Til then…happy explorations!

Nature Animation Challenge: DAY SEVEN!

Once again we have come to the end of another nature challenge! It has been a very interesting seven days of exploration and learning, as we went through the animation process to explore some aspect of the natural world.

For today’s challenge, I finalized my animation, putting together all of the still images taken yesterday, which ended up coming to about 150 frames. While the standard fps (frames per second) rate for all hand-drawn animations and motion pictures is 24fps, many web animations are shot at 12-15 fps (which is the standard rate for quality television animation). If you’d like to read more about timing and pacing in animations, check out this great article!

And now, onto my animation! Due to time constraints of this challenge, my finished animation moves at a rate of approximately 4-5 fps (which accounts for the jerkier movements). Check it out:

Given more time, I definitely could have worked to make the movements more smooth. Overall, I felt like this was a successful nature challenge and time of exploration. After this challenge, I can definitely see potential applications for artful explorations into the movements in the natural world. (If I get around to it in the coming weeks, I will try to post other lesson/project ideas involving animation!)

I hope you all enjoyed this month’s challenge as much as I did! As always, if you participated in the challenge and would like to share your results, I’d love to see them!

‘Til later…happy explorations!

 

Nature Animation Challenge: DAY SIX!

Lights, Camera, ACTION! Today’s challenge was to finally shoot the animation, after 5 days of planning and set preparation. All told, I ended up shooting a little over 100 still images for my animation. Here is one sequence that I shot:

For tomorrow’s challenge, it’s time to put everything together to create your animation! Since I use a Mac, I will be putting my images together using iMovie. There are, however, other programs that will work just as well. MS Powerpoint would work–it’ll just take you a little longer, since you’ll have to insert your images individually onto slides. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see how it all comes together!

‘Til tomorrow…happy explorations!

Nature Animation Challenge: DAY FIVE!

Today’s challenge was quick–but necessary to the animation process! Scavenging around the house, I found my lighting and supports (big box, tissue box) for my backdrop and camera. Here is my resulting stage, set and ready for production:

Tomorrow begins the busy work! For tomorrow’s challenge, take the series of still images for your stop animation.

A FEW TIPS:

1. Remember to make small movements/changes to your characters and set in between camera shots, in order to make the resulting animation more smooth.

2. Make sure your digital camera is firmly attached to it’s tripod (or makeshift stand). Using masking tape can be pretty helpful.

3. Use at least 2 light sources in order to eliminate shadows in your animation.

‘Til tomorrow…happy explorations!

Nature Animation Challenge: DAY FOUR

I can’t believe it’s already the fourth day of this month’s challenge! As my animation set continues to move closer to being ready for LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION, I am becoming increasingly excited to see the final results!

For today’s challenge, I focused on creating the flower for my animation. Just as I did when I created my flying character, I took short walk to gather supplies. I then began building the flower, keeping in mind my storyboard and the movement that the flower would be making in my animation.  Here is the result of today’s explorations:

For tomorrow’s challenge, add all finished touches to your stage. This includes any additional props that you will need for your animation, as well as your lighting and tripod (or alternative camera support). When setting up your lighting, use at least two light sources to diffuse your light in order to avoid shadows (unless you want a strong shadow in your animation).

‘Til tomorrow…happy explorations!

Nature Animation Challenge: Day Three!

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s challenge focused on creating a stage for the animation! So, I began this process by finding materials for my stage construction. I ended up using two white sheets of paper (which I then decorated with natural/organic shapes using glue and chalk). The floor was created using chalk rubbings on cardboard. I will probably add a few more movable shapes and/or objects to the background which will add a little more interest and life to the stage! Here is a shot of my resulting stage:

As I worked on the backdrop for my stage, I tried to keep in mind the storyline for my animation, as well as the characters and plots that would be used in my story.

For tomorrow’s challenge, work on building the props and/or additional characters for your animation. 

‘Til tomorrow…happy explorations!

Nature Animation Challenge: DAY TWO!

After successfully creating my main character yesterday, I focused today’s artful explorations on the storyboard, or visual script, for my story. The story almost seemed to write itself, as I thought about my little flying character and his interests/motives/actions. In line with my suggestions for the storyboard, I decided to limit my board to 6 frames. I kept the sketches relatively simple and quick. (The entire 6 frames took me approximately 10 minutes to draw). Here is my resulting storyboard:

For tomorrow’s challenge, work on the background/stage for your animation. Be sure to include something for a backdrop and base/floor. Using your storyboard and main character for inspiration, create a background that will not distract from your storyline or subjects, but will rather enhance everything.

‘Til tomorrow..happy explorations!

Nature Animation Challenge: DAY ONE!

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend as much as I am! Today has been an absolutely gorgeous–albeit hot and humid–Austin day! Lately I’ve been getting the sneaking suspicion that spring has been skipped altogether, as we seem to be creeping closer and closer to the summer 100′s! However, today’s sunny, high 80′s/ low 90′s provided a nice beginning to April’s Nature Animation Challenge!

Apologies for not posting this yesterday— For today’s challenge, I focused on creating the MAIN CHARACTER for my animation. Since I had absolutely no story in mind for this animation, I decided to head outside for a little walk to gather inspiration (and supplies!). During my walk, I found a nice pile of sand, so decided to gather a few handfuls. As I was filling my little bag with sand, I noticed this poor fellow out of the corner of my eye:

Main character. Check.

After deciding on the character for my animation, I began gathering the necessary building supplies. Here are some of the supplies that I collected:

In addition to the NATURAL supplies, I also found some wire (twist ties would work just fine) from my miscellaneous craft drawers. Since I will be creating a STOP ANIMATION, it is very important for me to keep the desired movement of my character in mind as I am constructing him. Wire and/or clay definitely comes in handy to create the illusion of motion during the animation process.

To construct my main character, I used a hot glue gun to attach his body parts–adding wire as a framework for the body parts that will move during the animation. I also added pipe cleaners wrapped with wire for his legs and proboscis.

Here is my resulting character:

For tomorrow’s challenge, construct a storyboard for your animation.  A storyboard is usually used in the early stages of an animation to provide a visual script for the storyline. It generally has both text and quick, loose sketches (in full-length features, these sketches are usually reworked to look as professional as the animation itself.). For the purposes of this Nature Animation Challenge, the storyboard will provide a rough outline of the storyline for your animation. In full-length animations, storyboard artists draw an image for every 1.5 seconds of the finished film. Since this animation will be MUCH shorter, try to shoot for 5-6 quick sketches/text descriptions.

‘Til tomorrow…happy explorations!

April’s Nature Art Challenge…Tomorrow!

Happy Saturday!

The Texas Art Education Association conference today was absolutely fantastic! I had a wonderful time presenting, attending workshops, and meeting new faces. Attending conferences is such a great way to get new ideas and rework old ideas as well. That being said, I am now even more excited to begin this month’s Nature Art Challenge: Exploring the Environment through ANIMATION!

The challenge will begin tomorrow, April 1st, and run through April 7th, so start thinking of possible themes/topics/subjects for your animation! During this challenge week, I will be presenting a variety of ideas for animation, so feel free to use any and/or ALL of my ideas in the development of your own animation.

In preparation for the challenge, I wanted to post a few ideas that I found in my online hunting:

Stop Motion Paper Animation:

Stop Motion Pen & Ink Drawing:

Those are just a few examples to inspire your creativity!

‘Til tomorrow…happy explorations!