How to tell if an artwork is done?

Is it done just because all the white space is gone? Maybe!

Is it done just because it just feels done? Perhaps!

Is it done just because you spent a long time on it? Possibly!

Is it done just because everything is glued down and staying in place? Could be!

Is it done if your sculpture doesn't tip over? Might be!

Sometimes you could have done all of this and your art is still not complete. This portrait is glued well and has details but still looks incomplete. Let's look at how art becomes finished.

If it's a Drawing:

Would you say this art is done?

The artist has created a pencil drawing. Pencil drawings don't need color to look finished especially with pencil shading and value but this one looks like the artist has just begun.

How about now?

The pencil drawing is now outlined with Sharpie. The outline shows off the shapes of the drawing. But it is not quite completed.

How does this artwork look now?

The artist colored in the space with both markers and liquid watercolor. The color goes to all four sides of the paper and the painting quality looks nice and neat.

Finished drawings --

*coloring to the top, bottom, sides.

*have details.

*fill in white space.

*can be outlined with Sharpie.

If it's a Collage...

https://crystalbridges.org/blog/activity-make-an-abstract-collage-portrait/

This is clearly just the start of a collage. The artist has gathered papers and materials, scissors and glue and they are ready to start.

This artist decided to make a portrait but they are filling in the background first. What could they add next?

They cut out a curved shape for the body/shirt. They cut out an oval for the head and some purple hair. It's starting to look finished but is it?

What are some details the artist added to make it look finished?

a finished collage has:

*filled the space.

*can include drawing, fibers or painting.

*is carefully glued.

If it's a Painting...

This artist sketched a still-life and painted the first class.

Using a smaller brush and markers plant leaves were colored in.

What is the artist doing here to make the art look and feel more finished?

How do you know this is done?

a finished painting...

*might be filled in completely with paint.

*can included drawing on dry paint areas.

*white space is intentional, on purpose.

If it's a Sculpture...

How can you tell this is the beginning stages of a sculpture? Clearly it's NOT done.

How is this cardboard tube getting transformed? Part of a complete sculpture is transformation if you are using cardboard.

Assembling the sculpture. Your sculpture should pass the shake test and balance test. Nothing should fall off when you give it a shake.

It's done!

a finished sculpture...

*has been transformed.

*passes the balance and shake test.

*is covered with paint, paper, marker, crayon, etc.

You can complete your art in more than one studio.

https://primaryschoolart.com/2022/03/28/collage-mixed-media-houses-paper-bag-housesprep-art-lesson/

Can you name all the studios this artwork went to?

Did this artist add details?

Did this artist fill in the blank space?

For the Meramec Art Walk you will create a WOW artwork. WOW stands for Wonderful, Original, Work.

-Your artwork should show you cared.

-You should spend 2 or more art classes on your art.

-Your art should show you took your time.

-Your art should be your best quality.

MATH AND ART

Some artists think about and use MATH when making art, especially when they plan their composition. Composition is a fancy art way of saying where an artist arranges and places objects and elements in their art. Let's look at how artists use Symmetry, Parallel Lines and Perpendicular Lines in art.

Symmetry in Math

That imaginary line that seems to divide a symmetrical shape in half is called a LINE OF SYMMETRY. Picture it as the line where the shape could be folded in half. Why does the triangle have more than one?

Symmetry in Nature

Symmetry can be found in nature. From flowers and seashells to bodies of animals.

Radial Symmetry

SYMMETRY around an axis. Think of a bike wheel or a starfish.

Rose Stained Glass Window

Symmetry in Art

Symmetry in art can create balance and harmony and make the art visual nice to look at.

Heather Hanson is both artist and dancer. She combines both to create symmetrical artworks. Her kinetic drawings are part dance, part performance art using her body as a drawing tool and ending up as large scale pieces in charcoal or pastels.

Do you notice SYMMETRY in her art?