Leonardo da Vinci was a Master of the Renassiance time and one of the greatest artists in history. Da Vinci was a problem solver and observer. He watched how things worked and admired the simplicity of the human body. Leonardo da Vinci left behind several well known paintings, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. By studying these two paintings one will find clear examples of line, value and shape.
The pictures in this art collection by other artists demonstrate some of the techniques, line, value and shape, used by Leonardo da Vinci in his famous artwork.
-In the following slides we will observe human figure studies and sketches, shading, focal points, balance and 3 dimensional looks.
Leonardo da Vinci was a problem solver and explorer. He closely observed how the human body worked, nature and geology. Da Vinci used notebooks to sketch ideas, which may be one of his greatest acheivements. Leonardo da Vinci was a great draftsman, filling many notebooks with ideas for flying machines, submarines, turbines, elevators and cities. In the next few slides you will have the chance to see what some of da Vinci's notebook sketches may have looked like by examiniing the work of 2 different artists.
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Artist: Edgar Degas
Date: 1867
-Notice the detail of the heads and faces.
-What shapes do you see?
-What kinds of lines do you see?
-Why would an artist want to sketch and observe before painting?
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Artist: Joseph Benoit Suvée
Date: 1789
-What is the difference between the first sketches and this sketch?
-What shapes do you see?
-What kinds of lines do you see?
-How would an artist sketch this kind of portrait?
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The world's most famous painting is the Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1506. We will study this painting more closely after learning about art elements in the following paintings. The Mona Lisa gives a glimpse into da Vinci's thoughts and what he felt was important to a painting. Although da Vinci and other artists painted on a flat surface, they used paints in a way that gives us the illusion of 3 dimensions. This 3 dimensional technique is called chiaroscuro, which means the use of light and deep shadow. Da Vinci described this as the blending of smoky colors without sharp lines or borders. The use of color and value in this way shows us the real beauty of human forms.
Take a closer look at the following portraits by several different artists to see how color, value, shadows and lines are used to create a beautiful portrait.
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Artist: Joseph Badger
Date: 1763
-How does the artist use light and deep shadow to make the portrait look 3 dimensional and life like?
-Where do you see value (lightness and darkness) in the painting?
-Which directions do the shadows go, right to left or left to right?
-Does the portrait have movement or is it straight and stiff?
-Look closely at the face. What symmetrical lines do you see?
-What is the expression on the face of the portrait? What do you think the person is thinking?
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Artist: Gilbert Stuart
Date: c. 1780-1781
-How does the artist use light and deep shadow to make the portraits look 3 dimensional and life like?
-Where do you see value (lightness and darkness) in the painting?
-Which directions do the shadows go, right to left or left to right?
-Does the portrait have movement or is it straight and stiff?
-What symmetrical lines do you see?
-What is the man in the painting holding? What do you think this item represents?
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Leonardo da Vinci was aware of and had a respect for mathematics and beauty. The Last Supper is a great example of math and art elements. Known as one of the most mathematically perfect paintings ever executed because of the converging lines towards one central point, groupings of people and spacings, da Vinci knew how to make a lasting impression. In the next few pictures, by different artists, you will have a chance to observe lines, balance and focal points.
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Artist: Felix Bonfils Date: 19th Century
-Where are your eyes directed immediately when you study the following picture?
-How did the artist guide your eyes to this points?
-What type of lines did the artist use?
-What types of shapes do the artist use?
-Are some parts of the picture more highlighted or darkened than others? Where? Why do you think the artist chose to do this?
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Artist: Stuart D. Klipper
Date: 1968
-Where are your eyes directed immediately when you study the following picture?
-How did the artist guide your eyes to these points?
-What type of lines did the artist use?
-What types of shapes do youo see? Do you see any letters hidden in this picture?
-Are some parts of the picture more highlighted or darkened more than others? Where? Why do you think the artist chose to do this?
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Artist: Wellington Lee
Date: 1944
-Where are your eyes directed immediately when you study the following picture?
-How did the artist guide your eyes to these points?
-What type of lines did the artist use?
-What types of shapes did the artist use?
-Are some parts of the picture more highlighted or darkened than others? Where? Why?
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