Homework #6 "The Jungle"

Both classes have now completed the "jungle" drawings.  The homework is to repeat the project following the same rules. 

1. Make a continuous composition; touch all edges and have very little empty negative space.
2. Start with a large shape that fills all or half the composition.
3. Add smaller groupings and clusters, overlapping forms and changing scale.
4. Address values paying attention to value patterns and establishing a rhythm and movement with light and dark passages.

The drawings posted on Mar. 30 and Mar. 24 are all excellent examples of the assignment.  As stated in class, you may make a drawing with your own still life materials or make a new composition by cropping from the in-class drawing.

3/30 Jungle Project Finish

Tuesday's class completed the "jungle" drawings.  Jonathan Florence's drawing is another great example of the assignment.  The composition is full and continuous touching all edges of the paper.  The value range is wide and varied.  Furthermore, the value patterns are well established.  The movement between the black shapes on the left side of the composition complement the black shape within the eye of the skull.  Notice too that the shapes are larger at the bottom of the composition and get smaller as they move towards the top.

Ashley Duncan's drawing is rich with patterns and textures.  The contrasting textures of the feathers, coral (background) and the kelp, driftwood and shells are all complementary to the "beach comber" theme.  The value range is generally more limited focusing on the high key values (1-5) suggesting a more cheerful tone.  Additionally, the diagonal and twisting forms create a very fluid and lively composition.

3/29 Intro to Ink

Monday Night Game Night.  Our introduction to ink took the form of "The Exquisite Corpse".  This is an old Dada/ Surrealist game.  We discussed the various techniques and applications of ink by way of slides before jumping in.  More explorations in ink to follow.

3/25 "The Jungle"

Thursday's 7A class began the "Jungle" drawing.  We will continue with these on Tues. bumping the INK lesson to Thursday.  Pics from the class will be posted next week.  For details about the project and pics from the Mon./ Wed. 7A class read the posts from Mar. 22 and 24.

3/24 Jungle Project Cont.

Here are three drawings from Wednesday night.  This drawing by Megan Muller uses "positive/ negative" relationships very successfully in the background leaves.  The dark silhouettes add depth to the space while establishing a strong contrasting value for the objects in the foreground. Furthermore, the balance achieved by the asymmetrical placement of the sunflowers and their scale change establishes a strong focal point while complementing the depth established by the background forms.

This texturally rich drawing by John Teran is more symmetrical with its placement of the forms.  The establishment of foreground, middle ground and background is achieved by changing scale while using forms with contrasting textures. The mingling of the grass with the skull  joins foreground and middle ground pulling the "eye" into the composition. 

This stunning drawing by Justin Edwards makes great use of "design principles".  The centrally located skull holds the composition together while the triangulation of the abalone shells establishes dynamic angles.  The repetition of the thistles and melon shapes lead the "eye" in a criss-cross movement while the feathers draw the "eye" back in space.

3/23 Introduction to Tuesday/ Thursday class

Started working with the Tues./ Thurs. 7A class.  In preparation for the student show and for the sake of continuity, the class worked on small, bird's eye view compositions.  Same as the drawings the Mon./ Wed. night class made before Spring Break. Again, the project is inspired by the drawings of Richard Diebenkorn.  The instructions were (1) choose 3 to 5 objects (2) take a bird's eye view (3) touch at least 3 edges (4) employ cropping (5) address the categories of light and include cast shadows into your design (6) pay particularly close attention to the negative areas.

3/22The Jungel (Light and Dark Rhythms)

Monday evening we began the "Jungle" drawings.  The objective of this project is to use value patterns and textures to create a sense of rhythm and movement throughout the composition.  The compositional arrangement should be one that is continuous, engaging with all sides of the paper. When laying out the composition, begin with a large form that covers half or most of the page.  Next address the corners by creating groupings and clusters of other forms.  The forms may repeat and change scale across the composition to direct to viewer's eye.  Sketch out the entire composition before applying any tonalities.  Be sure to engage with the edges, use overlapping, cropping and change of scale.  When you are ready to apply tonalities pay attention to the value patterns and design aspects of your composition.  In other words, follow the demands of your composition by being inventive and interpreting your subject rather than merely translating visual information.  The demo drawing above illustrates the "process" of developing the image and is therefore "unfinished".

Spring Break

No Class Mar. 15 thru 20.  See you on Monday the 23rd. Enjoy!

3/10 Eye Level Continued

Continued working on Bird's Eye View compositions with a few added directions to follow: 1.  choose three objects. 2. draw from above. 3. touch at least three edges of the paper. 4. employ cropping (allow objects to go off the edge) 5. render the categories of light. 6. activate the negative areas.
There's a terrible glare on this drawing but the composition is good. It has a wide range of values including cast shadows.  The objects are placed at opposing angles (dinosaur and envelop).  There is textural / surface quality to the table top.  At first glance it may appear to only engage two edges (bottom right) but the crack in the table touches the top dividing the table into two portions (three edges touched).  This drawing as well as those in class were drawn with graphite pencils.

3/8 Eye Level Comps

Monday evening students worked on small, individual compositions.  The assignment was inspired by the studies created by Richard Diebenkorn.  Diebenkorn made numerous small drawings and paintings of objects situated on his desktop observed from various viewpoints.  Students chose three to five objects and composed compositions viewed from above creating an interesting tension between positive and negative areas. The drawings were 12 x 9 in. rendered with graphite pencils.

3/3 Perspective Continued

Continued working on perspective drawings Wednesday.  Pictures to follow.

3/1 Two Point Linear Perspective

Started Two Point Linear Perspective projects on Monday.  The assignment is to create an imaginary space using two point linear perspective.
The rules of linear perspective follow:
1. Perspective establishes the location of the viewer; above, below, center, left or right. Therefore, you must have a fixed point of view.
2.  All parallel lines will appear to converge at vanishing points located on the horizon line (eye level).
3. Horizon Line and Eye Level are the same thing.
4. A high horizon line displays more ground than sky (bird's eye view).
    A low horizon line displays more sky than ground (bug's eye view).
    Middle horizon line displays equal parts.
5. Objects will appear to diminish in size as they recede into the distance.

For examples of perspective in art look at the work of M.C. Escher.