Joseph McKendry

Senior Critic - Illustration
Image
RISD faculty member Joseph McKendry
BFA, Rhode Island School of Design

Joe McKendry is a painter and illustrator whose work has appeared in over 50 publications worldwide, including the New York Times, the London Times, the Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, Esquire and GQ. His children’s book, Beneath the Streets of Boston: Building America’s First Subway (David R. Godine, 2005), chronicles the planning and construction of Boston’s subway system at the turn of the last century.

Courses

Fall 2024 Courses

ILLUS - 3736-01 WATERCOLOR: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MEDIUM
Level Undergraduate
Unit Illustration
Subject Illustration
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

WATERCOLOR: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MEDIUM

Level Undergraduate
Unit Illustration
Subject Illustration
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: W | 11:20 AM - 4:20 PM Instructor(s): Joseph McKendry Location(s): Illustration Studies Building, Room 408 Enrolled / Capacity: 15 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course will present the transparent watercolor medium to students in a manner both logical and painless. Students will explore the broad uses for watercolor through still life, figure painting, and outdoor landscape painting. Guest critics and demonstrations may augment class discussions.

Elective

ILLUS - 3306-01 INTERMEDIATE DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION
Level Undergraduate
Unit Illustration
Subject Illustration
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTERMEDIATE DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION

Level Undergraduate
Unit Illustration
Subject Illustration
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: F | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Joseph McKendry Location(s): Illustration Studies Building, Room 309 Enrolled / Capacity: 15 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

One commonality amongst all illustrators is the ability to draw. This course builds on principles of traditional drawing, color theory, composition, and with a focus on observational drawing using digital tablet devices. Students will expand on techniques learned at the introductory level to broaden their use of digital mark making tools. Weekly classroom exercise in the first two-thirds of the semester range from careful studies of objects and figures in space, to capturing landscape settings; with the last third engaged in exploring painting from imagination. More involved homework assignments will challenge students to adapt previously acquired drawing skills translated into the digital medium. The main computer application to be used in the course is Photoshop, with an introduction to Painter toward the end of the semester. The goal of the class is to give students a strong foundation in digital painting that can be adapted to their future professional Illustration practice.

This course fulfills the Computer Literacy requirement for Illustration majors.

Prerequisite: ILLUS-3304

Elective

Wintersession 2025 Courses

ILLUS - 3300-101 MERGING WORLDS
Level Undergraduate
Unit Illustration
Subject Illustration
Period Wintersession 2025
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

MERGING WORLDS

Level Undergraduate
Unit Illustration
Subject Illustration
Period Wintersession 2025
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2025-01-03 to 2025-02-06
Times: THF | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM | 01/09/2025 - 01/10/2025; WTHF | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM | 01/15/2025 - 01/17/2025; THF | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM | 01/23/2025 - 01/24/2025; WTHF | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM | 01/29/2025 - 01/31/2025; TH | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM | 02/06/2025 - 02/06/2025; F | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM | 01/03/2025 - 01/03/2025 Instructor(s): Joseph McKendry Location(s): Washington Place, Room 001 Enrolled / Capacity: 17 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

The ability to merge imagery from various sources is an essential skill for illustrators and fine artists alike. In a series of projects, students will gather sketches, drawings and photographs, and combine them to exist solidly and convincingly together in space. We will discuss the importance of lighting, color, and value in creating a believable scene, and explore the methods and techniques used by illustrators and painters past and present. Class time will be divided between the computer lab (where students will manipulate their images using Photoshop and other tools) and the studio, where illustrations and paintings will be completed using a variety of media, including pen and ink, watercolor, and acrylic paint. This course fulfills the Computer Literacy requirement for Illustration majors.

Elective

Image
RISD faculty member Joseph McKendry
BFA, Rhode Island School of Design