Examples+of+Student+Work


 * Portraits**
 * Painting & Design B**
 * MHS, 2013-2014**

In this assignment, students were faced with the task of creating a realistic portrait of a member of the MHS administrative team. Students were asked to apply the rules of proportion for a human head with specific painting techniques that show mood and expression in order to capture the essence and character of their subject. To prepare for this assignment, students were asked to meet with the subject they chose to paint and interview them to gain background information. They took a series of photos from multiple angles to use as reference for their painting.

We completed several small assignments and sketches to build up to the finished paintings below. After learning the basic rules of proportion, how to show mood and expression through facial features, and a variety of painting techniques using different media, students were well equipped to create portraits that showed a likeness to their subject. Students photographed their progress and presented the photos to their subjects as if they were commissioned to do a portrait. All were pleased with the results!


 * Canopic Jars & Rhyton Vessels**
 * Ceramics A**
 * MHS, 2013-2014**

In this assignment, students were asked to spend some time researching Egyptian Canopic Jars and Greek Rhyton Vessels. Students chose which type of vessel they wanted to "modernize" and used coil building and slab construction techniques to create contemporary vessels of animals.

In an introductory ceramics class, students would spend the first few weeks gaining a solid footing on basic hand building techniques. This was one of the first assignments that asked students to combine their knowledge of multiple techniques to create a complex sculptural form that creatively addresses the problem of form and function. Students chose unusual animals out of a "hat" and then decided whether to make a jar or a drinking vessel. Students were often surprised at what they could do and it opened up for them the many possibilities of using clay as a material for both function and sculpture.