HOMEWORK #1 Contour Studies

In your sketchbook, make a series of 10 contour studies; one drawing per page. Choose complex objects as your subjects (tools, bicycle parts, engine, house plants, etc.) Use a soft graphite pencil (3B or higher) or a pen.

TUES. 8.30 LINE: Contour

Govinda Taskey

Lilly Valencia

Class began with a review of Gesture Drawing.  These drawings were executed by making three drawings of the same object (shoe) one on top of the other. They illustrate the cage-like quality in Gesture that creates a structural sense of volume. After a few Gesture warm-ups, we moved onto Contour Line Drawing.

Ashley Hurd

Oscar Mendoza

 Contour Line Drawing is a slow, single, incisive line that defines interior volumes as well as exterior volumes.  This is not "outlining".  Outlines only define the outside edges of objects (exterior volumes). Contour lines may define changes in structure, weight, color and texture.  Note in Ashley's drawing above how she draws lighter lines to identify shadows and highlights especially on the curled, butter knives. She also makes great use of larger and smaller objects as well as swooping and dynamic angles.
Oscar's drawing also balances larger and smaller shapes while exhibiting strong use of accenting his line work.

THURS. 8/25 LINE: Gesture Drawing

Class began with a lecture on Gesture Drawing. Gesture Drawing is the all encompassing, quick and spontaneous rendering of the artist's subject. Gesture drawings capture the general sense or essence of the subject rather than copying or capturing details. We discussed the individual techniques of Line Gesture, Mass Gesture, Scribble Gesture and the combining of techniques.

Kimberly Sawyer

Kimberly's drawing is a great example of the all encompassing, twisting and twirling line work indicative of the Scribble Gesture technique.  Note how the massing of lines creating dark areas adds weight and mass to the gourd while also suggesting a sense of light.

Debbie Bazsuly

 The Mass technique utilizes broad, sweeping strokes with the charcoal.  This drawing too has a sense of weight as well as suggesting light striking the form.

Jamie Shine

 When combining techniques, a greater sense of volume is achieved.  The Line technique provides structure whereas the Mass technique adds weight.

Danielle Bazsuly

Debbie's drawing also combines gestural techniques.  Notice how allowing the broad, tonal sweeps of charcoal to go outside of the lines brings a sense of atmosphere and place to the image.  It is no longer gourds drawn on a piece of blank paper but rather a fuller image with an environment and greater sense of weight starts to appear.

TUES 8.23 Class Introduction

For the first class meeting, we read through the syllabus and discussed the materials required for the class. On Thursday, we will begin our explorations in line starting with Gesture Drawing.