10/27 "The Jungle" continued

The class continued to work on the "Jungle" drawings from Monday evening.  Adam Bollman's drawing above illustrates the limited sense of depth and textural qualities typical of this project. The large, sweeping bone structure divides the composition into multiple sections that are then filled with differing textures and patterns as well as the solid black tones. In addition, the sun flowers help to emphasize the a sense of "flatness" by directing the viewer's attention back to the surface of the paper.

HOMEWORK #7: The Jungle

The assignment is a repeat of the class project.  Create a "continuous" composition with objects cropped and engaged with edges of the paper.  Choose a dominant shape that is supported by smaller "groupings" and clusters of objects.  Consider the directional pull of the composition and address the textural as well as tonal aspects of your design.  This composition may be derived from a cropped section of the in-class drawing. Use 18 x 24 in. paper with charcoal materials and erasers.

10/25 "The Jungle"

Monday students began the "Jungle" project.  This projects involves creating a continuous composition in that the image touches all sides of the paper.  The primary objective is to develop an image with strong light and dark rhythms while addressing the textural qualities of the subjects. The student drawing above is a perfect example of the project.  The placement of the feather and thistles thrusts the "eye" in a circular motion around the composition while the repetition of forms pushes the "viewer's attention diagonally across the composition as well as from foreground to background.  Furthermore the textural and tonal qualities of the drawing are rich and bold.

HOMEWORK #6: Ink Drawing

Draw a still life of at least three small objects using pen and india ink.  Employ the various techniques of hatching, cross hatching, stippling and a combination. Address the local values of the objects as well as the textural variations.  Note in the drawing above how every objects appears to have a different texture while some of the same techniques are used across the composition; specifically the stipple technique in the cast shadow and the octopus.

10/20 INk: Still Life

Wednesday night students made individual still life arrangements of two to three objects.  These were rendered in india ink using the techniques of hatching and stippling. Kyle Cobly's drawing illustrates a uniform and cohesive quality when the stipple technique is used whereas the drawing by Leah Erickson illustrates the rich variety of tonalities and textures when multiple techniques are employed.

10/18 INK DRAWINGS: Exquisite Corpse

Began drawing with ink on Monday.  To get us started, the class made drawings based on the Surrealist game, "The Exquisite Corpse."  This game requires at least three players.  The paper is folded into thirds: head, torso, legs.  A different person draws in each section. 

Drawing with ink is very different from other mediums; good line quality is essential.  First, you can't erase. Second, you must use line to create tonalities. And third, you can't erase.  Techniques like parallel hatching, cross hatching, scribble gesture, stipple and patterns were explored by the class.

10/13 Midterm Critique

Students finished midterm drawings and then we critiqued their work. The drawing above by Jeanne Buckens is an excellent example of the work that was created during the midterm assignment.  Elements to take note of are the asymmetrical composition and the division of the negative space in the background and the beautiful rendering of the categories of light as well as the other gradations from light to dark located throughout the drawing.  And lastly, the overall working of the entire surface.  By selectively leaving small areas white, Jeanne is able to develop a warm and thorough rendering of the local values found on the various surfaces and objects.

Next week we begin with Ink Drawings.

10/11 Midterm Portfolio Review

Started reviewing portfolios Monday evening.  The class is working on graphite drawings while I review portfolios one-on-one with each student.  These drawings are essentially the midterm exam; addressing composition, line and the categories of light. There are still a few more portfolios to review for Wednesday.

10/8 Linear Perspective (Friday)

The Friday class spent the day working on two-point linear perspective drawings (see post from 10/4 for an example).  In addition, portfolios were collected as this was my last day working with the class.  Next week will be the first day with Lisa Beernsten.  She will return portfolios to the class after I have evaluated them.  Thank you to Art 7A Fridays.  I've enjoyed working with everyone.

10/6 Perspective Continued

The class completed the drawings in two-point linear perspective.  Remember to prepare portfolios for next week.

10/4 Linear Perspective

The class began projects addressing Linear Perspective. Perspective is the concept of creating the illusion of three dimensional space.  There are a number of rules to follow when drawing in perspective. First, perspective establishes the viewer's location within the image (i.e. bird's eye view - above, bug's eye view - below, or straight on).  Second, parallel lines will appear to converge meeting at vanishing points located on the horizon line/ eye level.  Therefore, objects will appear to diminish in size as they recede towards the horizon.  The class project is to create an imaginary space using two-point linear perspective. Drawings to continue on Wednesday.

MIDTERM PORTFOLIOS ARE DUE

Friday class: portfolios due 10/8
Monday / Wednesday class: portfolios due 10/11

INCLUDE
1. (2-3) examples of gesture (gourds or still life)
2. Contour (tools)
3. Ideal Solids ( individual forms and composition)
4. Imaginary Face
5. Value Reduction (all values reduced to black or white)
6. Value Patterns ( paper cut-outs)
7. Value Patterns (rendering light: single directional hatch or scribble gesture)
8. Value Patterns hand-toned paper (both)
9. Linear Perspective
10. Homework
11. DHR

HOMEWORK #5: UNDER THE SINK

On 18 x 24 in. drawing paper that has been hand-toned and using your charcoal materials and erasers make a drawing of the area around and under your sink. Use value subjectively to emphasize and exaggerate the lighting conditions and the character of the space.  Note the drawing above is slightly angled rather than a straight-on view.  Furthermore, the background has been pushed back into a dark mass by exaggerating the shadows while lighter values are reserved for the foreground.

10/1 Value Patterns: Four Divisions of Value (Friday)

Friday's class caught up with value patterns today.  For a full description see the posts from 9/27 and 29.  The drawing above is by Stazi Borissenko. Note the contrasting values of background and foreground and the strong directional relationships between similar values. In other words, the rhythm that is established between white areas, gray areas and black areas. Furthermore, Stazi's accented highlights are very complementary to the  fluid and curvy nature of the objects.