TUES. 11/29 Division of the Field

Joseph Easterbrook

We began studying Spatial Relationships. After reviewing slides and discussing nine possible divisions of the field, we made sketches of various locations around and within the Art building.  Note in the sketch above one of the nine strategies in the lower right corner. These sketches will be expanded into larger scale drawings.

NO CLASS 11/24 HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Bring sketchbooks to class next Tuesday, Nov. 29.

HOMEWORK #8 Self-Portrait

Make a self-portrait in your medium of choice on 18 x 24 in. paper. Try to be more conceptual with this drawing rather than making a traditional portrait.  Use props or place yourself in a space, etc. The drawing above is a commentary on "Aging." It is a play on "Mirror, Mirror, on the wall . . ." The real strength of the drawing conceptually speaking is not in the portrait but rather in the bandaged hand holding the mirror.  Very evocative drawing.

TUES. 11/22 Self-Portraits

We began with a planar analysis of the face.  Planes are important because 1. they reveal the structure of form and 2. they establish how and where values will be applied. The process for a planar drawing is to flatten all curved edges into straight lines.  Imagine what a face would look like if you constructed it out of pieces of cardboard or wood.  All the planes should be isolated like a puzzle.

Christiane Belle

Leah Leahy

After the warm-up students made drawings using their medium of choice. Although Christiane's drawing is unfinished, it is conceptually interesting.  It appears to be part of a series based on "See No Evil, etc." Leah's drawing like Christiane's fills the page well and exhibits a strong sense of volume.

THURS. 11/17 Portraits

Ashley Hurd

Saroeuth Chhoeung

Students made portrait drawings of each other. We discussed the proportions of the head and made studies from skulls to start. Ashley has drawn a dynamic and exciting image by using fluid lines and rich values.  Note the volume achieved by addressing the skull structure under the skin.  Saroeuth's drawing is equally powerful in mood and emotion.  His use of additive and reductive techniques captures of the volumes of the face while adding textural variety.

HOMEWORK # 7 COLOR

Govinda Taskey

Zoe Brester-Pennings

This is a repeat of the in-class drawing.  Arrange a grouping of objects and make a drawing using a color scheme that complements the subjects in mood and/or function.  Pay attention to composition, negative space and eye level. Your drawing must include drawn objects from observation but you may add elements from your imagination as well. Paper size 12x15in.
The two drawings above exhibit strong compositions with  great use of color. Govinda's drawing is rich with textural variety and vivid, brilliant colors.  Zoe's drawing drawing has an excellent rhythm produced by the meandering green toothepaste while employing atmospheric perspective to add a sense of depth.

TUES. 11/15 COLOR

Students continued working on large scale color drawings.  Pics to follow.  Next class we start portraits.

THURS. 11/10 COLOR: Large Scale Still Life

Govinda Taskey

Students began work on personal, large scale still life on black paper.  These drawings are a combination of objects from observation as well as imagination. This is a two-day project to be completed this coming Tuesday. The drawing above is in progress.

HOMEWORK #6 Texture Study

Old Sponge

Weathered Cardboard

In a 4 x 5 in. format, in your sketchbook, using graphite pencils draw a continuous field composition of a texture from observation. This is essentially an investigation of value.  Textures are in essence a series of light and dark values. Your image should only exhibit the texture.  There should be no horizon line and no edges to the shape of the thing the texture is on.

TUES. 11/8 COLORED PENCILS

Chelsea Shiery

Valentin Mendoza

Today we made single subject studies using colored pencils.  I spoke briefly about color schemes and the characteristics of color and colored pencils in particular.  Thursday we will start a two-day project using color.  Bring some small colored objects to draw.

THURS. 11/3 "The Jungle" continued

Students continued working on Tuesday's project today.  We will critique these drawings first thing next Tuesday before moving onto color.

Next week have colored pencils (black, white, red, blue, yellow) and two sheets of black drawing paper approx. 18 x 24 in.

TUES. 11/1 TEXTURE: "The Jungle"

Bikesh Maharjan: drawing in progress

Students began work on "The Jungle" project: value and texture drawings in charcoal.  The process is one that is more organic and intuitive compared to previous projects.  Rather than setting up a still life, students select objects and use them as reference for creating their compositions. The method is to start with a dominant form and then place supporting forms repeated around the composition.  Rhythm and Movement is established through repetition and similarity of values, textures and forms.