Feedback Report - Assignment 2

Things to do are red
Notes about things to do/things done are green

Overall Comments

Updated postcard list: A good selection of cards covering Units 7 -12 which are listed under each Unit. Each one shows the title, artist, date, medium, size and location. This is a well presented list and is easy to add to (if you find new cards) and will develop with cards from  future assignments added onto it.

Annotated sheet : Unit 10. The Death of Murat (David) 1793. oil on canvas, Brussels, size noted.

A4 sheet with a coloured photo copy (cropped to be upright rather than horizontal). I wasn't aware of my mistake so will make sure I take more care in future.  Will check against other representations etc.  Which alters the compositional proportion of the painting – you could have drawn an analysis diagram of the composition and this is something to be thought about for future annotations. The composition of this painting is quite important as it is unusual for the time. You mention the light source (which in fact comes from the left side and the top) and this too could have been developed further. Colours – a dark palette mentioned.

The story behind the murder of Marat and all the objects within the painting are all well noted and you look into the symbolism of the ‘writer’s pen’ and how Marat was a journalist in the Revolution.

Annotated sheet: Unit 12. Starry night. (Van Gogh) 1889. New York

size, oil on canvas. A4 sheet with a good coloured reproduction. Very good description of the type of brushwork, and the quality and range of colours Van Gogh used to achieve the effect he wanted. Composition described and discussed - dark cypress tree used as an upright balance to the land. This traditional composition relates to the golden section and you could describe this in your Log book as it relates to many works of art. Read up on the golden section to find out more.  The landscapes around the asylum are very similar to this and were painted one after another in his last months. A good sheet.

Project 10. A house in Norwich,

A4 sheet with a pen drawing of the façade of a Georgian house (home of an artist) with a floor plan on the bottom of the sheet.

The plan shows the ground floor with a hall and two rooms –alongside this you list which paintings will be in each room; you have marked lines on the walls of the rooms and put a cross in the hallway. It would have been very useful to put a number by each wall line which linked to a painting in your list. Also although not necessarily advised in the Unit it is a bonus mark to have a visual list of the paintings etc used as a second/third sheet. I feel this Unit is rather thin on visual presentation and the research you have carried out is therefore diminished.  I felt that there wasn't enough of this project but was unsure how to improve it - comments helpful but do feel I should have realised and done this anyway!

Assignment 2: Visit to Houghton Hall, Norfolk.

This 4 page document has a coloured print of the exterior on the front page. Set amongst the text on the other pages are sketches: – one of the fireplace in Stone Hall and also the main doorway there.

The description of the house is divided up into sections beginning with the general information about  the date (1722-35) and the fact that it was built for the considered first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. It has been lived in by one family since 1797 when the Walpole’s left. It is a large house of 106 rooms and mostly decorated in the Baroque style you explain. The furniture, sculptures, carvings and paintings still reflect the glory of the original building. I like the small cameos of descriptions of the plasterwork ceilings and carved fireplaces. The art collection reflects the wealth and tastes of the various generations of the owners you write. It would be good to have a few illustrations of the paintings and decoration (on the walls /ceilings) maybe from a catalogue as you mention that indoor photography was not allowed. Did not include photos from the brochure as unsure re copyright but have checked with tutor who says this would be OK in future. 

Excellent bibliography. A well set out piece of work.

Feedback on assignment

My overall impression of the collection of work I have seen here is good. However, there is room for improvement in Project 10 which is a little under developed. Also more personal critical judgement could be included with the Annotated sheet for Unit 10 and both annotations would benefit from diagrams showing the compositional structure of the paintings.  Will attempt to include in future annotations.

When work is assessed (if you want it to be) the areas that are focused on include knowledge (practical and cultural), skills, initiative, and judgement. Including these areas in each assignment and developing them is necessary to achieve a rounded set of work for formal assessment.

Learning logs/critical essays

Please make sure that your learning logs do have answers to questions you pose on worksheets and other sketches and photos.  Do this!

Suggested reading/viewing

Some books about composition in formal works of art –golden section etc.

 Golden Section - Also called Golden Mean, Golden Proportion, Divine Section etc.  Mathematical calculation to do with ratios which is used in many ways - thought to be aesthetically pleasing.  Geometrical anaylsis of classical and ancient buildings/monuments show that they fit the GS.  Used in size of canvases and composition of paintings.  Find out more and need to read a book about types of composition as my knowledge is lacking in this area.  

Other

I obviously do not see any work except that which is sent to me for marking. Please ensure all other annotations and projects are not lacking in body/information.

 

Feedback Report - Assignment 1

Things to do are red
Notes about things to do/things done are green

Overall Comments

Statement of Aims. This seems to be an excellent set of reasons for wanting to do this Art history course and I hope you find that as you progress through the Assignments, projects and units that you are meeting most of your planned outcomes. Certainly been able to critically evaluate your own work and that of others is hugely valuable. The analysis of symbolism in art and the social implications of art movements is important as well. Good luck then with the course !  Have been finding out that these things are equally important as going through the course and finding them really interesting. Enjoying reading about the history behind art.  I need to find out more about the symbolism - am looking out for books that will help me.


Postcard list. A well presented list of images and cards for the first assignment. It may is often helpful to put them under the Units they refer to but not essential – it is up to you if you have the time to do this set when you get it back, or not. Had thought about doing this and wasn't sure if I should so will certainly be updating ready for next time my postcard list is sent in.

Annotated sheet. Virgin and Child (Duccio) 1308-11. Maesta,

A4 sheet. Coloured photocopied image. Put Unit 5 on the front, not the back of the sheet. Your written points are basically sound and cover the symbolism of the figures (angels and saints) in the scene and go onto discussing who they were in your questions and answers at the bottom of the page. How the symmetrical placing of the figures on either side of the (much larger) Virgin and child draws the viewer in and out, of the whole picture, is well explained. You mention the blue of her dress and the expense of that colour and the gold leaf background. It would be good to find out how egg tempera was applied to the panel and how the gold leaf was stuck and hammered for texture. You could put this part into your log book. Saw some info about how to use egg tempera on Life of Leonardo video but have jsut looked at this tutorial on Youtube for more info.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUmzLewk5dk&feature=related Then had a google to see what I could find out about gold leaf techniques.  Have read some info but will also speak to my dad about it as he uses gold leaf in his work.  Whilst looking came across a useful gloassary website so am going to make myself a post of links to useful sites/clips etc

Annotated sheet .The Marriage of G. Arnolfini (Jan van Eyck) 1434. UNIT 6. Size and oil on oak all noted. A4 with a coloured photocopy surrounded by much good information, + the back of the sheet. The information here shows good research and analysis for this painting. You cover the historical background to the couple, their social standing and the symbolism of the many objects within the painting (Oranges, dog, and the candle) The very ornate candelabra is according to David Hockney in ‘Secret Knowledge’, painted with the camera obscura technique which became technically fashionable and possible to do. The date and reflection in the mirror as you mention is important as well. I too like this picture and am constantly amazed at how small it is as well. This is a good piece of work.

Annotated sheet . Unit 2 Greek vase. 540-530 BC

Size noted and place found. A4 sheet with photocopy in colour. Again I like your questions and answers at the bottom of the page. You cover the colours used and discuss the overall balance of the black and ochre of the pot and write about the two figures and what they are doing. Did you investigate how the colours were applied to the pot and how the design was worked to show both colours ? Good log fact and info here !! An adequate sheet.  I did look into the different ways that colourse were applied.  "Figures and ornaments were painted on the body of the vessel using shapes and colors reminiscent of silhouettes. Delicate contours were incised into the paint before firing, and details could be reinforced and highlighted with opaque colors, usually white and red" (Wikipedia)

PROJECT 4. A visit to Salle Church.

5 pages with very good illustrations and photographs. Well presented with excellent information. Divided into three sections, you describe the structure and decoration of the church; the size and its use as a place of worship and commemoration facts.

Built in 30 years from 1400 it is still entirely in its Perpendicular style having had no alterations made to it. It was renovated you write but not changed in any way in the 19th c.

The small floor plan is good and from this you guide us round the church area by area and illustrate it with small photos and other pen drawings. The close up details of various things such as the stall carvings and the roof are really helpful.

The families who funded the original building made their money from wool and brought stone in from Peterborough and obviously kept funds going through other generations. Their coats of arms (the Boleyns for one) are around the church and this is a good place to end your description.

It is an extremely sound piece of written and illustrated work – good Project with written references.

Assignment 1. A review of episode 5 (DVD)

This is a concise and well written review of the episode in question.

I agree that the imagery is beginning to look a little dated and could be updated a little. Also it would be good to linger a little longer on some areas of art works so one can digest the work more.

You write that the positive points did outweigh the negative – and felt that the DVD supports the book and allows the viewer to see parts of art work, or buildings that we cannot see through 2-d images.



Feedback on assignment

You have completed a sound first Assignment.

Try to remember to put the Unit numbers on the front of the sheets. 

Will do!

Carry on in this vein and keep up your log book and website

Learning logs/critical essays

See above.

Suggested reading/viewing


David Hockney ‘Secret Knowledge’

Have added to my list of wanted books - checked out prices on amazon and ebay - just going to check what my dad has for me to borrow before ordering.UPDATE borrowed from library to read - found very interesting and well written.

Assignment 1

I am about to put everything together to send off my first assignment.  This is really exciting as I fell I have now made a really good start and I have kept to my own deadline - hooray!

I have already learnt so much in these first units and am now feeling more confident about completing the course and getting a lot out of it.  It doesn't seem quite so daunting now and I can see the way the course fits together a lot more clearly.

I'll write notes on my feedback in here shortly....