The Use of e-learning within a Fine Art Communications course

with particular focus on the Cartoon Component

By Heather Osner

Personal Conviction

• In 2004 FSET staff were offered course in e-learning.

• Challenges of students missing lectures or parts of lectures – sometimes with valid reasons

• Course notes were missed – impacted on results.• E-learning has addressed these problems- is

available whenever there is access to a computer and Internet.

Challenge: How to create Fine Art Specific Communications Curricula

• Keep it “Real” – address needs of a practicing Artist – Entrepreneurial skills.

• Allow it to evolve as needs change.Currently course includes:--Cartooning Skills -Business Plans-Logo Design -Assignment writing skills -Curriculum Vitae -Personal Responsibility-Layout of Business Communication Stationery

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Role of the Computer in Fine Art Communications

Previously • the Computer was

considered the main focus of study.

Now• Deliver Course content on

E-learning.

• Word Processing Tool.

• Offer Art Related software -Adobe Photoshop.

• Enhance Content of course.

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No Comprehensive Text books available for this new curriculum

Reference Books• Only one Item may appear

in one book• Limited number of books• Time constraints• Number of Students in class• Libraries on different sites

E-Learning• Comprehensive notes can

be compiled - cover all aspects

• Including examples from previous student works to illustrate good and bad practice

• Inclusion of images make it more interesting

Body CopyCopyright and Plagiarisation

Previously• Advised not to use any

copyright images• Time consuming hand

drawn Cartoon images took 2 weeks of Christmas vacation .

• Identifying Plagiarism meant extensive searches in Libraries.

Now• Use Images and Text -

however be sure toAcknowledge all sources.

• Safe Assign – Students can check assignments for plagiarism

• Send to Lecturer who can also identify plagiarism

Body CopyCartooning Skills and E-learning

Cartoon Notes on E-learning Allow:-• some insight into methods of drawing Cartoons• Varying lines and pen & ink methods to be illustrated.• Students to understand the need for a climax in the Storyline .

Unlike other Courses – using the same Assignment Brief ie: “A Cartoon strip using a currently pertinent South African Storyline” -allows originality - diverse selection of events covered.

• It has allowed an interesting “Historical Picture” to emerge.• Selection of the Cartoon Project notes - Follows

Example of Format

Cartoon by Buntu Qina showing correctly utilised format

Cartoon by Leigh Durrheim – Alumni showing acceptable alteration of Format

Title Block & Cartoonists Name

• The Cartoon title should appear in the first block. It can include characters as well as the name.

• The Artists name should appear either next to the Title block in the margin

• or at the end.

Some ways you can Personalise your Cartoon.

• Each cartoonist will develop his/her own style of Cartooning. This can be done by

• Portraying your personal type of humour. – let joke unfold over length of cartoon strip.

• Controlling and varying, fluctuating thickness of the lines used, • Using areas of negative and positive – by brushing black ink into

sections to make the cartoon more dramatic. • Tonal fluctuation by cross hatching, lighter washes, groupings of

dots etc. in sections.• Practising drawing figures in action – by simplifying into a couple

of lines.

Making up facesLook in a Mirror and make exaggerated expressions these are a form of communications and help to create visual impact to your story

Then try to decide what moods the expressions indicate…

Making Up Individual Characters

Unlike the Normal placement of eyes on the mid line of the face it adds character to cartoons to fill the head shape with face as indicated below.

Different hair styles can also alter the look of identical faces. Hairstyles should also alter with movement and make the storyline

more lively. Exaggerate and alter the shapes of heads.

Watch the following characters heads shape change in order to emphasize expressions.

Ideas When Drawing Cartoon Characters.

• Body Language Communicates

• Bodies should only be 4 ½ times bigger than the head.

• Is the Character fat or thin. Using exaggerated Body shape shapes will individualise each character

Hands and feet are very important when indicating

ActionBody Poses should be exaggerated

Backgrounds

• Backgrounds set the theme. They should be simplified with a few props used.

• Park bench, • School desk, clock bell• Netball hoop, cricket

pitch, rugby posts etc.• Office desk & Computer. • Props will help clarify

your idea.

Actions Lines

Are essential to emphasize Movement Examples used in Previous Student’s Cartoons.

Speech Bubbles

Marking Criteria & Breakdown

• Storyline 20 Marks• Use of Medium 10 Marks• Speech Bubbles &

Format 15 Marks• Title Block 15 Marks• Images & Characters 20 Marks • Backgrounds 10 Marks • Action Lines & Expressions10 Marks Total 100 Marks

Previous Student Works

Division of Blocks Effective use of Facial Expressions

Some Reactions to HIV AIDSPandemic

No Words Needed….

Previous Student Works

Previous Student Works

Simple backgrounds can be effectiveCould you see Thabo Mbeki dancing like this? A sense of Humour is Important.

Previous Student Works

Previous Student WorksThis was from 2004 & remains Current… Unfortunately so does Crime

Student Works from following Students have been included in Examples.

• Leigh Durrheim• Buntu Qina• Ntembeko Bonkolo• Cara Malala• Athule Nano• Banele Kom• Xolela Sogoni

• Spear Gwazela• Songezo Sokhanyile• Mzuvukile Sishuta• Litha Ncokazi• Sinoxolo Tshiva.• Sonwabiso Ngcai

Body Copy Conclusion

E-learning allows:-

• more consistent results.• Improved of assignment quality .• Videos of Practical Methods and Techniques to

be loaded.