Method of simulating personal individual art instruction

• US 5,513,991 A
• Filed: 12/02/1994
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VAMP, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VAMP, Inc.
• Inventors: Reynolds, Julia, Richardson, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US08/348,605
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 434/81-92, 434/96-98, 434/118, 434/307 R, 434/308, 434/318, 434/365, 395/154, 395/927, 345/173, 364/400, 348/61
• US Class Current: 434/81
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 11/10 Teaching painting
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation

Abstract

A method of simulating individualized art instruction is provided. The method utilize a CD compact disc playable on a CD-I compact disc player hooked up to a television. Each edition of a compact disc showcases a well-known instructor and background information. The actual instructor does the voice over, giving instructions at each step. Next, a substantially perfectly lit image appears; this image is a view of the object of study (i.e., the model, the still life, the landscape). Then, a completed painting of said object appears, the completed painting having been executed by the instructor. The screens contain step-by-step images of different stages of completion. At each screen, the instructor talks about what he or she is doing and why. The instructor can relate the actual colors and fundamental techniques used. By having a simulated method of individualized art instruction, the student is free to avoid the use of electronic keyboards and video display screens for creating a piece of computer generated artwork. In contrast, the method allows the student to create a painting by using traditional tools of the trade, such as paint, paintbrushes, a canvas and an easel, while accessing a simulated art lessons on a video display screen.

Claims

1. In a method for simulating personal individual art instruction to at least one student with the aid of equipment for practicing said method,

wherein the student remotely creates a traditional artwork using traditional artistic tools and materials of the trade, the student being located remotely away from an electronic image displayed upon a video compatible player screen, said equipment including programmable recorder and player means having

a recording mode thereof generally including a master recorder adapted for recording a master program containing teaching instructions on a medium carrying at least one of a recorded video and audio message recorded thereon by an art teacher, generally pertaining on how to paint a model,

a duplication mode thereof including duplication equipment adapted for producing a multiple number of artwork teaching aids containing said program, each having a respective of said recording media, and

a reproducing mode thereof including a player adapted to be programmable at least in one of two recorder-compatible video and audio-modes, said equipment, for purpose of programming, being adapted to have a recall feature, a display screen, at least one of said artwork teaching aids for insertion into said player, and a remote control and student-operable means for remotely controlling said player, said student-operable means being connected to said player, the student being normally located remote from said player, but able to visually observe said display screen, and operate said remote control and said student-operable means,

said method teaching development of an artwork in an art in at least one of said recorded video and audio messages, and being separable into a plurality of sequences of numbered or otherwise identifiable artwork steps from a first or otherwise identified artwork step, to an "n"th or otherwise identified artwork step ending each of said sequences, the procedural steps of said method comprising:

(a) inserting said one of said artwork teaching aids into said programmable recorder and player means,

(b) starting to run said programmable recorder and player means, said artwork teaching aid in the running player then showing the artwork steps of the art teacher in said one of said teaching aids, said artwork steps including

(i) providing an overview of the art in at least one of said recorded video and audio messages,

(ii) showing at least one style of a plurality of different styles used in said art,

(iii) instructing the student on how the development of said artwork is separable into said plurality of sequences of said artwork steps,

(iv) showing the student a model for use in said art,

(v) showing the student the completed artwork in said one of said styles,

(vi) allowing the student to select one of said sequences,

(vii) teaching said artwork steps sequentially to the student in said one of said sequences selected by the student, said sequences including errors frequently made by students, and

(viii) teaching how to proceed to correct said errors, and to further proceed forward therefrom, in a majority of cases, substantially free from any need to start again from scratch and continue to remotely create a traditional artwork using traditional artistic tools and materials of the trade, the student being located remotely away from the electronic image displayed upon the video compatible player screen, until

(ix) the student deciding whether or not to allow the programmable recorder and player means to stop,

(x) and subsequently deciding whether or not to call out at least one of previously taught artwork steps for repeatedly viewing and listening, by use of said recall feature in said one of said sequences selected by the student, and to interactively pose at least one question from a preselected format to the corresponding recording medium in said one of said artwork teaching aids via said student-operable means, for answering said at least one question in passing therethrough, said one of said artwork teaching aids in the running player thereafter showing another artwork step by

(xi) the student again passing through said corresponding medium, and subsequently receiving an answer from a plurality of recorded and preselected answers to said interactively posed at least one question,

(xii) allowing the student to either call for a continuation of the sequence of said artwork steps, or allowing the student to first select another of said plurality of sequences until the student again decides to call on the programmable recorder and player means to stop, and

(xiii) allowing the student to selectively repeat steps (ix) and (x) an arbitrary number of times in said selected of said sequences, until the end of said selected of said sequences is reached.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a video cassette, and wherein said step of selecting said one of said sequences includes the step of selectively running said video cassette in a reverse and forward mode, respectively.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a compact disc, and wherein said step of selecting said one of said sequences includes the step of selectively running said compact disc in a reverse and forward mode, respectively.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a laser disc, and wherein said step of selecting said one of said sequences includes the step of selectively running said laser disc in a reverse and forward mode, respectively.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said model includes a portrait, and said art is portrait painting, and wherein one of said artwork steps includes demonstrating how to draw said portrait so as to achieve a likeness thereof.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said portrait includes a plurality of zones separable at least in part from each other by easily removable guidelines, and

wherein said master program includes a first set of specific questions having been posed by the teacher, and already recorded on said medium, to ascertain whether said guidelines have been approximately correctly positioned on a painting at least partially completed by the student, and representing said model, and

a program for determining whether any of the answers expected to be given by the student from a preselected number of answers require an already recorded second set of instructions on said medium for repositioning at least some of said guidelines, and, if so

advising the student how to reposition said guidelines, whereby the student can progress with further work on said painting, without, in the majority of cases, being required to start again form scratch.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said portrait includes a plurality of key points, and wherein said demonstrating step includes the step of measuring distances and angles between selected of said key points for the student to use as an aid in reconstructing said portrait.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein said portrait includes shadows having a plurality of numerically assignable values, and wherein said demonstrating step includes the step of assigning values to respective of said shadows, and wherein, if the student has made an error in assigning said values, and sends a communication about a value-dependent error to said medium, a third set of instructions contained in said medium advises the student, on receiving said value-dependent error, how, if necessary, to correct said value-dependent error, without, in the majority of cases, having to proceed from scratch to complete the painting.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein said model includes a human figure shown with limbs, wherein one of said artwork steps includes demonstrating how to draw said portrait so as to achieve a likeness thereof, and wherein said demonstrating step includes the step of drawing details of said limbs.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein the student has made an error in the composition of a painting painted by the student, and sends a communication about said compositional error to said medium, and wherein a first set of instructions contained in said medium advises the student, on receiving a composition-error-containing communication, how, if necessary, to enhance an elementary triangular design in said composition, without, in the majority of cases, having to proceed from scratch to complete the painting.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sending of said communication includes sending digital communication.

12. The method according to claim 4, further including the step of selecting types of color paints to be applied, including pastels varying from a hard pastel to a very soft and crumbly pastel, wherein one of said artwork steps includes demonstrating how to draw said portrait so as to achieve a likeness thereof, and wherein said demonstrating step includes the step of directing the student of how to apply the selected pastels in accordance with an area and progress of the painting.

13. The method according to claim 4, wherein the student has made an error in the painting being prepared by the student relating to a depth of perception perceived by an observer, and thereafter transmits a signal to said medium about details of a depth-of-perception resultant error, and wherein a sixth set of instructions contained in said medium advises the student, on receiving said depth-of perception resultant error contained in said signal, how, if necessary, to correct said depth-of-perception resultant error, without, in the majority of cases, having to proceed from scratch to complete the painting.

14. The method according to claim 4, wherein said model includes a three-dimensional rotatable model, and further including the steps of showing said model to the student at different respective angles, and at different respective lightings.

15. The method according to claim 4, wherein said art includes sculpture, and wherein one of said artwork steps includes an additive method of sculpting.

16. The method according to claim 15, and wherein said additive method of sculpting is adapted to make use of an armature for adding moldable material thereto.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said moldable material is adapted to use clay.

18. The method according to claim 4, wherein said art includes sculpture, and wherein one of said artwork steps includes a subtractive method of sculpting.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said subtractive method of sculpting is adapted to make use of a hard material.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said hard material includes stone.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a computer drive, and wherein said step of selecting said one of said sequences includes the step of selectively running said computer drive in a reverse and forward mode, respectively.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said model includes a painting laid out in a pre-arranged composition, wherein one of said artwork steps includes demonstrating how to draw said portrait so as to achieve a likeness thereof, and wherein said demonstrating step includes the step of arriving at, and laying out, said pre-arranged composition.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the student has made an error in the structure of at least part of a painting worked on by the student, and sends a communication about said structural error to said medium, and wherein a fourth set of instructions contained in said medium advises the student, on receiving a structural-error-containing communication, how, if necessary, to fill in any missing elements in the structure shown in said painting, without, in the majority of cases, having to proceed from scratch to completion thereof.

24. The method according to claim 23, further including the step of using colors to indicate different respective planes.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the student has made an error in the hue of a painting being prepared by the student, and sends a communication about details of a hue derived error to said medium, and wherein a fifth set of instructions contained in said medium advises the student, on receiving said hue derived error contained in said communication, how, if necessary, to correct said hue derived error, without, in the majority of cases, having to proceed from scratch to complete the painting.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein said model includes a triangular design, wherein one of said artwork steps includes demonstrating how to draw said portrait so as to achieve a likeness thereof, and wherein said demonstrating step includes the step of arriving at, and laying out said triangular design, including the steps of assigning values, sharpness and diffusion to various areas within said triangular design.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said triangular design is a painting.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein said artwork step (iv) includes showing of said model in a selected position, and showing of said model by means of selectable illumination.

29. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said art is painting art, and said model is a painting, and wherein said equipment adapted to be used by the student for practicing said method further includes an easel and a palette adapted for use with the student to paint thereon.

30. The method according to claim 1, wherein said art is painting.

31. The method according to claim 1, wherein said recall feature is adapted to be rapidly activatable, and wherein said display is viewable within an ambient range of light ranging from darkness to a very bright illumination.

32. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medium adapted for practicing said method includes an image compact disc.

33. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medium adapted for practicing said method includes microprocessor chip means.

34. The method according to claim 1, wherein said master program contains audio information, wherein at least part of said teaching instructions is comprised of audio information, wherein said programmable recorder and player means also is capable of processing audio information, and wherein said medium is capable of storing audio information.

35. The method according to claim 1, wherein said programmable recorder and player means is a video cassette recorder-player, wherein said video medium is video tape in the form of a video tape cassette, and wherein said method includes the capability of selectively running said video tape cassette in reverse and forward modes respectively so as to access a predetermined sequence or set of sequences.

36. The method according to claim 1, wherein said master program and said artwork teaching aid comprise digitally recorded video information and digitally recorded audio information.

37. The method according to claim 1, wherein said programmable recorder and video player means is a compact disc player and wherein said video medium is a compact disc.

38. The method according to claim 1, wherein said art is drawing.

39. The method according to claim 1, wherein said art is printmaking.

40. The method according to claim 1, wherein said art is collage making.

41. In a method for simulating personal individual art instruction to at least one student with the aid of equipment for practicing said method,

wherein the student remotely creates a traditional artwork using traditional artistic tools and materials of the trade, the student being located remotely away from an electronic image displayed upon a video compatible player screen, said equipment including programmable recorder and player means having

a recording mode thereof generally including a master recorder adapted for recording a master program containing teaching instructions on a medium carrying at least one of a recorded video and audio message recorded thereon by an art teacher, generally pertaining on how to paint a model,

a duplication mode thereof including duplication equipment adapted for producing a multiple number of artwork teaching aids containing said program, each having a respective of said recording media, and

a reproducing mode thereof including a player adapted to be programmable at least in one of two recorder-compatible video and audio-modes, said equipment, for purpose of programming, being adapted to have a recall feature, a display screen, at least one of said artwork teaching aids for insertion into said player, and a remote control and student-operable means for remotely controlling said player, said student-operable means being connected to said player, the student being normally located remote from said player, but able to visually observe said display screen, and operate said remote control and said student-operable means,

said method teaching development of an artwork in an art in at least one of said recorded video and audio messages, and being separable into a plurality of sequences of numbered or otherwise identifiable artwork steps from a first or otherwise identified artwork step, to an "n"th or otherwise identified artwork step ending each of said sequences, the procedural steps of said method comprising:

(a) inserting said one of said artwork teaching aids into said programmable recorder and player means, the student being normally disposed remote from said programmable recorder and player means, but able to visually observe said display screen, and operate said remote control and said student-operable means,

(b) starting to run said programmable recorder and player means, said artwork teaching aid in the running player then showing the artwork steps of the art teacher in said one of said teaching aids, said artwork steps including

(i) providing an overview of the art in at least one of said recorded video and audio messages,

(ii) showing at least one style of a plurality of different styles used in said art,

(iii) instructing the student on how the development of said artwork is separable into said plurality of sequences of said artwork steps,

(iv) showing the student a model for use in said art,

(v) showing the student the completed artwork in said one of said styles,

(vi) allowing the student to select one of said sequences,

(vii) teaching said artwork steps sequentially to the student in said one of said sequences selected by the student, and

(viii) teaching the student how to proceed forward therefrom and continue to remotely create a traditional artwork using traditional artistic tools and materials of the trade, the student being located remotely away from the electronic image displayed upon the video compatible player screen, until

(ix) the student deciding whether or not to allow the programmable recorder and player means to stop,

(x) and subsequently deciding whether or not to call out at least one of previously taught artwork steps for repeatedly viewing and listening, by use of said recall feature in said one of said sequences selected by the student, said one of said artwork teaching aids in the running player thereafter showing another artwork step by

(xi) the student again passing through said corresponding medium, and subsequently receiving information therefrom,

(xii) allowing the student to either call for a continuation of the sequence of said artwork steps, or allowing the student to first select another of said plurality of sequences until the student again decides to call on the programmable recorder and player means to stop, and

(xiii) allowing the student to selectively repeat steps (ix) and (x) an arbitrary number of times in said selected of said sequences, until the end of said selected of said sequences is reached.