All journal assignments will be presented in your art sketchbook.

All work produced in your sketchbook

is in addition to regular class art assignments and allows you personal selection of media and
approaches to a variety of topics related to your own interests. You will need to complete four journal
assignments (20 points each) which will be evaluated throughout the semester. The due dates for the
first assignment will be September 28th, the second October 26th, the third November 23rd, and the
fourth December 21st. If you complete all four assignments, you may choose to continue to level 2. Level
2 assignments can be submitted for bonus marks. Please ask Miss Lapierre for the Level 2 handout.

These assignments can be completed entirely at home or partly at school when you have free time.
Read the assignment descriptions carefully and be sure to clarify any information that you do not
understand.

ASSIGNMENT #1 – Memorable Moments

What are the strongest memorable moments of
your life? Important events you can remember
which made an impact on the person you are
today. Those events aren’t necessarily
grandiose; they can be subtle and impacting at
the same time.

For this assignment there is an expectation that

you be informative, show creativity, and visual
interest. You may draw, add color, and add
collage components. This artwork should span
two of three pages. This piece is a story as well
as art and should include written information
(paragraphs, quotes, phrases) alongside the
visual images.

Some ideas include: influential people, a life-altering event, activities and interests, moments of
embarrassment, times where you felt very proud, travels.

Evaluation:
Text (there are least 100 words included; some quotations are allowed) /5

Drawings /5

Other media such as paper, ink, paint, etc. /5

Organization and layout /5

Total /20
ASSIGNMENT #2 – Mighty Music
Music has the power of eliciting strong emotions in us. These emotions can serve to create visual images
as well.

In this assignment you are being asked to choose a song whose lyrics and/or melody impacts you in
some way. You will illustrate the song in a way that describes the feelings, emotions, thoughts and
images it contains for you. You will need to include some text that conveys understanding as to why you
chose to illustrate as you did.

Evaluation:
Design elements are used to show emotion (colour, line, emphasis, space) /5

Images present a clear message /5

Other media such as paper, ink, paint, etc. /5

Textural information /5

Total /20

ASSIGNMENT #3 – Superpower
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Use words to describe in
detail what the power would be, its limitations, what it could and could not
be used for and hot it would affect others. Create an illustration or series of
illustrations that relate to what you have written. You could even create a
comic strip.

Evaluation:
Images are clear, understandable and coincide with the written work /5

Text (written in paragraph form or in phrases) conveys the message /5

Other media such as paper, ink, paint, etc. /5

Degree of detail in images /5

Total /20
 ASSIGNMENT #4 – Me as an Animal

Imagine yourself as an animal. What animal would it be? Do you

feel a connection to some kind of animal? Are there aspects
about the anima that you like? In North American Native
spirituality, the animal is vital to the culture. The people believe
that animals spirits are connected to humans in powerful ways.

To better understand an animal, research its habits to see how

its characteristics apply to you as an individual. Find images of
the animal and include those images somehow in your self-
portrait as the animal. The representation of yourself doesn’t
have to be an exact replica but do your best! Perhaps you see
yourself as two animals. If this is the case, you may need to
“morph” yourself into tow animals. The point is to consider
aspects of your physical appearance and beyond your
appearance and to imagine what it would be like to take on
another persona.

Evaluation:
Written description of the animal qualities that are embodied /5

Copies of examples of the animal studied, evidence of research /5

Drawn or painted images /5

Level of detail /5
Total /20

ASSIGNMENT #5 – Contemporary Artist Research

Choose a contemporary artist. Look online. Select an artist whose visual style appeals to you. Print 3-4
examples of his or her artwork. Try to print in color if possible. Tell about the artists (brief biography)
and why you chose this artist. You will need to include specific information such as: theme, style,
political or issues related to the artworks. Make the layout visually appealing.

Evaluation:
Written information /10

Layout /5

Clear images /5
Total /20
ASSIGNMENT #6 – Mandala for Peace
Draw or paint a mandala for world peace.

The mandala, a circular symbol, has been held sacred from ancient
times. Common interpretations of the symbolism of the circle are:
immortality, eternity, unity and wholeness. Mandalas can be made
using symbols for things in our lives we want to heal or manifest.
Think about something recent in the news or in your own life that
relates to discord or unrest
around people or cultural
groups. What are your
feelings associated with it?
Now, sit quietly, listen to
some music and imagine the
situation in a peaceful way.
What images come to mind?
Write them down. Are there
colours associated with your images? While you’re working,
think about the symbols you may want to use Think of a mantra
(positive words) that describes your idea of peace (eg. “peace on
earth”)

Start with a circle. Draw or trace a large circle onto the paper. Record your thoughts on the outside of
the circle. Repeat your mantra to yourself as you draw the image. Every positive thought about the
situation makes a big difference.

Evaluation:
Mantra /5

Use of symbols /5

Written description /5

Design aspects (colour, shape, texture) /5

Total /20
ASSIGNMENT #7 – Complements of Colour
Free Assignment using a complementary colour scheme of
two colours opposite each other on the colour wheel
(colored pencils, pastes, markers or crayons). One
example could be a drawing with only different shades of
yellow and purple.

Subject matter is your choice. Some ideas include: an

animal, a person, a landscape, a still life etc.

Evaluation:
Use of complementary colour scheme (including blending to create tone) /10

Neatness /5

Craftmanship /5

Total /20

ASSIGNMENT #8 – Glassy and Glossy

Surfaces with smooth, shiny texture are interesting to draw and paint
because of the reflections that are created. Set up a still life of shiny objects
If possible, shine a light on the objects. You could place the objects on a
mirror and draw the reflected images as well. You may see other images
reflected into the objects. Make sure you draw that.

Remember to paint what you see rather than what you think is there, even if
what you see is a strange, abstract shape. Add color mixing tints and shades.
You could use paint, ink, pencil crayon or pastels to complete this project.
**The colors do not need to be realistic to the object rendered.

Evaluation:
Details (Evidence of reflection and glassy quality) /5

Use of colour /10

Design elements (proportion, detail) /5

Total /20
 ASSIGNMENT #9 – Creativity and the Written Word
A Book a verse or a quotation can often become the catalyst to spark creative
imagination. Stories told during childhood evoke a sense of mystery and
magic. Recall how after listening to or reading a story, you were transported
to faraway places, inspired and uninhibited. What inspires you now? Pay
homage to the writers you love.

Include the words of a famous quote, lyric, or passage from a book and create
a painting or drawing in your journal. Incorporate images of objects to help
you tell the story of the quote.

Evaluation:
Text (Included within the composition) /5
Images create a clear message /5
Other media such as paper, ink, paint, etc. /5
Design elements included (space, form, texture) /5
Total /20

ASSIGNMENT #10 - Lest we Forget Poster Contest

Remembrance is an important part of Canada’s identity. Pay homage to our military history by
highlighting the tradition of Remembrance in a work of art. Subjects to consider: important Canadian
symbols, remembrance stories and poems, Canada’s history. You may choose to submit your work to
the Royal Canadian Legion's Annual Poster Contests. Winning entries are displayed at the Canadian
War Museum. **Must be completed on a poster board with planning in your sketchbook.

Evaluation:
Images create a clear message /10
Level of Detail /5
Composition /5
Total /20

**Please note: If you choose to do this assignment you must complete it during the first two due dates.