Make Your Own Tool

Objective:

Empower students to engage with the foundational aspects of art-making by not only creating art but also designing the tools and mediums they use. This hands-on, exploratory assignment emphasizes the process and innovation behind art, fostering a deeper connection to the materials and methods artists use daily.

Instructions:

1. Tool Creation:

a. Research & Design: Begin with research into the history and design of traditional art tools. Sketch or note down aspects you find interesting or want to incorporate.

b. Crafting: Based on your research and inspirations, create your art tool. This could be a unique drawing machine, a custom paintbrush, a hand-carved pencil, or any other tool you envision.

1. Medium Creation:

a. Exploration: Dive into the history and composition of various art mediums. Investigate natural materials, pigments, and binding agents.

b. Development: Craft your medium. This could involve concocting your own ink using natural dyes, creating a unique clay blend, or developing a new type of paint or crayon.

1. Application:

a. Combine your custom-made tool and medium. Experiment with their capabilities and limitations, noting how they differ from commercial tools and mediums.

b. Create a piece of art using your hand-crafted tool and medium. Allow the uniqueness of your materials to guide your artistic process.

1. Reflection & Documentation:

a. Document your creation process through photographs, sketches, or notes.

b. Write a brief reflection (200-300 words) on the experience. Discuss challenges, discoveries, and how this assignment changed your perspective on art tools and mediums.

1. Presentation:

a. Share your tool, medium, and artwork with the class. Discuss your design decisions, the properties of your crafted items, and the experience of using them.

Ideas to Inspire:

Drawing Machine: Think about machines that use pendulum motion, wind, or even magnetism to create unique patterns or designs.

Paint Brush: Experiment with different materials for bristles—like plant fibers, human hair, or feathers. Consider various bindings and handle designs.

Pencil from Scratch: Delve into the world of graphite and clay mixing. Experiment with wood types and carving techniques for the casing.

Mark-Making Material: Beyond pencils and inks, consider materials like charcoal, homemade crayons, or organic dyes.

Ink: Explore ingredients like berries, tea, or rust. Investigate different binding agents and preservation methods.

Assessment Criteria:

Innovation & Originality: The uniqueness and functionality of the created tool and medium.
Research & Application: Depth of research and its influence on the design and creation process.
Craftsmanship: Quality and functionality of the final tool and medium.
Artwork: Creativity and technique demonstrated in the artwork using the crafted items.
Reflection & Presentation: Insightfulness of the reflection and clarity in presentation.

Note to Students: This assignment pushes you to engage with art on a foundational level. It's not just about the final piece you create but the journey of understanding, designing, and crafting the tools and mediums that make art possible. Embrace the process, and let your discoveries shape your artistic expression.