Square Within A Square

Step 1: Find your inspiration Print out a few pictures, full page in black and white. Pay attention to composition and value range. GOOD IDEAS: shells, feathers, monuments, landscapes, still life arrangements, books, keys, interiors, cityscapes, monuments, your own pictures, food, (endless options here). AVOID: people, animals, logos, sports, anime or any animation, other people’ artwork, anything thing trademarked, silhouettes or clip art

WARNING: YOU MUST DO A ROUGH SKETCH OF STEPS 2 AND 3 AND LABEL WITH YOUR COLOR COMBOS BEFORE YOU START ON HIGH QUALITY PAPER.

Step 2: Set up your shapes Using the lightest of marks, make a square near the middle of your paper approximately 4" x 5" or 4" x 4". You may also use a circle if you wish with a diameter of 4". About 2"outside of your first shape, draw a second larger image. The outside of your paper will serve as the third rectangle shape. Note: Advanced students may use more shapes – pay attention to the examples at the end of the directions.

This is what the set up should look like This is what the set up should look like. Feel free to draw on the photo.

Step 3: Lightly sketch your plan over the shapes Sketch an outline design of your image that fills the entire paper. The shapes you draw will break the image into three different boxes (See B&W image). When drawing your picture you may make your lines realistic or create your own when going from shape to shape, as long as they meet up with the image in the other shapes.

Step 4: Work the center When working in the first box, make it look as realistic as possible using a variety of colors and a variety of techniques.

Step 5: Work the center layer In the second larger shape, use neutral or opposite colors and use different techniques.  

Step 6:Work the outside layer In the third box you can repeat the colors / techniques from the first box or use a different color scheme. This box doesn't have to be realistic; it can also be crazy. Your finished work should have three or four techniques present to be considered for full credit.

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Media ART 1 – watercolor final ART 2 – mixed media final Brush work – let’s practice Use tape to mark off squares Charcoal Graphite Pastel (oil or chalk) Collage Colored pencil