Grade 10 Art - Day 17

Our next step in the Creative Process is Producing.

The production stage of the creative process may be the most important.  This is when it all comes together!
I want you to think back to the elements and principles of design at this stage.  This is where you will be laying down your lines, colours, values, and textures.  You will be choosing how best to utilize space!  Seek ways to employ rhythm, variety, and emphasis.  What contrasts and patterns will be present in your design?

This is also where you will think back to the different techniques we have learned.  If you are using coloured pencils, will burnishing or sgrafitto be useful?  What brush strokes are appropriate in using oil or acrylic?

Another serious consideration might be about the audience of your piece.  Who are you creating this for and what will that mean to your production approach.  When creating for yourself, that might be easily answered.

But what if it is not for yourself? As we have spent a great deal of time in the last 2-3 years discussing the techniques of the production stage, let's talk about doing comminssioned work for a fresh take on production.   If you are creating a commissioned piece, you might need to consider your audience carefully. Here are some production tips from artbusiness.com:

• "Have you commissioned art before? If so, how many pieces?" The larger the number, the less likely you are to encounter problems. Just to make sure though, ask how past commissions have gone and what if any problems they might have encountered along the way. If you're feeling a little uncertain, you might even ask for names of several artists who they've commissioned art from and contact them to see how things went.
• If they've never commissioned art, find out what they want and make sure you can give it to them. How would they like the commission to proceed? What role do they see themselves as playing? What do they expect from you? If they have unrealistic expectations that seem difficult to fulfill, turn down the job.
• "What do you want to see in your art?" Look for broad or general answers, the types of answers that will allow you leeway in how you create the finished piece. You want signs that they appreciate what you stand for as an artist and what your art represents rather than how they want the finished piece to look. If you get very specific answers about what the composition should be, what colors they want you to use or what kinds of details they'd like to see, they may well try to micromanage the project once it starts.
• "Is there anything you don't like about my art or don't want to see in the art I create for you?" The less they don't like, the better. If they don't like something you can't do much about, warn them now rather than later. If they don't like a substantial amount of what you do, you might think seriously about not accepting the job.
• "Do you have any other questions or requests?" Answers like, "Everything sounds fine to me" or "I want to leave the details up to you" are always good. Hopefully, you won't get a long involved answer with lots of conditions. If you do, watch out.
• "Will you be the only one approving the art?" This is a very important question, and one where you want "Yes" for an answer. The more people you have to please, the less likely you'll please everyone and the more you should think about turning down the commission. In situations where multiple parties have a say over the finished product, if one doesn't like it you're generally screwed. Being subjected to consensus by committee is not a good position to be in.

Great advice!!!  We will be moving on to the revision stage next class!