Jon Klassen - Contextual Investigation

This is THREE-week homework. 3 questions this week, 3 the next and the presentation time.

Objectives
To further your understanding of graphic communication practitioners

Task
Using the web and my books, research and present a contextual investigation about the illustrator John Klassen.

The contents of the investigation should include the following. 

!!You will get extra marks if you draw, plan, describe and doodle elements relating to the investigation!!

WEEK 1
1. Personal Response

Describe who the artist is. You could include major works, a map / info of the town of where they work, a drawing of the artist / their studio. Use your imagination. Do NOT include a biography.

Explain your personal response. Use the pink section on the WAYS OF LOOKING sheet to help your questioning and responses.

2. Comprehension

Criticise and analyse their work. Use the WAYS OF LOOKING sheet to help your questioning. 

3. Characteristics
Take a number of typical examples and bullet point why they are characteristic of the designer. Consider, what makes a typical John Klassen?

WEEK 2
4. Context
Write about the context. What other designers are working at the same time? Include a range of illustrator's work
5. Influences
Research to find out who the designer has been influenced by. To do this you may need to read an interview with the illustrator. 
Just Google "Interview with [illustrator's name]" and read a few passages
Try these:
Read the last 3 paragraphs of this one…
http://www.artofthepicturebook.com/-check-in-with/2014/10/15/interview-with-jon-klassen

…and scroll to half way down this interview, to the paragraph that starts 'The structure of ‘This Is Not My Hat’ came from two…. You’ll find some odd influences there. 
http://blog.picturebookmakers.com/post/152596041611/jon-klassen

…and there are some in this interview towards the start:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/meet-jon-klassen-one-of-the-most-successful-canadian-authors-ever/article21051170/


6. Working in their style
Using photos or drawings that you created yourself or images from the web, emulate the style of the designer that you are researching and create a version or your own.

Checklist for assessment
Relevant images, in-depth research and response in your own words (no copy and paste), accurate emulation.

Time needed
6 hours

Deadline
Week 1 - 3 questions by Monday 15th of January (checked in class)
Week 2 - Final 3 questions by Monday 22nd of January.
Week 3 - Presentation in the style of the artist.

Any problems, pop and see me before either deadline.

John Klassen - View from my window - Homework

For the next piece, you will be working in the style of Jon Klassen.

Task
You are going create a view from your from a window at home.

You are welcome to use your imagination and make up what is on the walls and what view might be seen. In my version, I have used half of what is there and imagined the rest. It could be completely made up or totally true to life.
If you struggle with drawing, collage the view from photographs and trace it.
Draw it as a line drawing with no tone. 

In your sketchbooks, you could have your line drawing and also reference images that you have used, maybe a photograph from your window.

Deadline
8th Jan

John Klassen - Emulation Piece

WEAR HEADPHONES! WEAR HEADPHONES! WEAR HEADPHONES!

Tutorial features:
00.30 - What makes a John Klassen?
01.18 - What you need to get  ready...
02.30 - My attempt
02.48 - Start of tutorial
02.56 - Thresholding your drawing
03.35 - Importing big textures
04.00 - Blending modes
04.40 - Gradients
06.00 - Textures and layer mask
08.00 - Copying sections of texture
09.50 - Gritty texture / blend mode screen
10.32 - Extra elements (inverting)
11.00 - Textures with other blend modes

Objective
To increase your understanding of working with hand-made textures and hand drawn line in Photoshop.
To learn intermediate Photoshop - blending modes, layer masks and gradients

Task
Using the tutorial above, create a piece in the style of John Klassen from the view of your window. This is called 'emulating'.

Emulate = imitate: "hers is not a hairstyle I wish to emulate."

What do I need?
* Line drawing of your window and surrounding area (curtains, objects wall etc)
* Another line drawing of extras, this time in more detail.
* Access to Student Shared folder > 01Mrh > Graphics > Textures
* An image of a John Klassen work, for reference.