Welcome to Ms Borgersen's digital art class

What is Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro
The word Chiaroscuro itself is Italian, and roughly means, “light and dark.” It was first used to describe a type of drawing on medium-dark paper where the artist created both darker areas with ink and lighter areas with white paint but now refers to dramatic, high value lighting.

the chiaroscuro technique dates back to the time of Rennaissance paintings. Also sometimes called Rembrandt lighting, it often pertains to having one solitary light source and depicting stark contrasts between light and shadow. This style of lighting may seem minimalistic, but it yields very dramatic results. The high illumination contrast creates 3D depth on an otherwise 2-dimensional surface. 

Low Key Lighting

Low Key lighting is an example of chiaroscuro but in films.  ​Low-key lighting is mainly used for horror films due to the effects it creates. The dim hue and shadows created by this lighting are suited to the conventions of a horror film; it creates tension due to its mysterious and dark atmosphere, controlling how much of the surroundings and characters are revealed. It sets the tone, mood and creates a dangerous association with enigma through the shadows and dull shades. 

The assignment: Chiaroscuro Skulls

Using the horror lighting of Chiaroscuro create a skull emerging / hybrid graphic.  This will involve lighting and enhancing value, as well as using warping, the puppet tool and some painterly erasing.  

Project

In this project students will create a skull/ face hybrid that displays  chiaroscuro lighting.  This will force students to consider and use value within their pictures as well as facial proportions.  


  • Students will learn about value and its corresponding emotional impact  to which they demonstrate their understand in the creation of their artwork
  • students will create a "Almost" chaiscurro portrait ​
  • Students will use the warp, transform and puppet warp to manipulate their skull structure to match their face
  • Students will use their erasers to "expose" their skulls artfully and purposely to create a human / skull hybrid
  • Student demonstrates craftsmanship

Tutorial

MAstering the Skills. After creating a skull hybrid create a Animal hybrid 

using the same erasing and double exposure technique you can create a variety of differnt things. for example  try this project, creating a human animal hybrid utilizing the same skills you've just mastered. 

Skulls skulls and more skulls: Extra Credit

Now that you are familiar with the contours and surface of skulls, use that knowledge and apply it in one of the following tutorials.  No matter which you choose be sure to pay extra attention to the form of the skull so that we the viewers can see and take notice of it in your creation.