VALUE: Diebenkorn Compositions

Jack Ryan

Kathy Heglin

Last night began with a discussion on the work of Richard Diebenkorn and small scale compositions in general. Each student had their own arrangement of 3 -5 objects. Jack's drawing is very well composed, engaging all four sides of the composition. The objects are locked into the space. Your "eye" is directed over and under the positive shapes moving up the page. A bit more contrast in the values would increase the dynamics as well as add clarity.
Kathy has effectively used diagonals in her composition creating a zig-zag, "s-like" formation. There is an interesting flatness to the space. It's as if we are viewing two different angles of the space; one for the objects and another for the background. The objects appear to float on the background partially due to the similarity in size but also the placement (none of the shapes overlap). Kathy's drawing, like Jack's, moves up the page rather than into it.

VALUE: Diebenkorn Studies (cont.)

Jim Foley

Last night the class made another drawing addressing the compositional balance of positive and negative areas on a small scale. Jim's drawing above is arranged so the objects engage with all four sides of the paper. His values are rich and contrasting and the mark-making is expressing and lively.

VALUE: Diebenkorn Studies

Last night students were introduced to the paintings and drawings of Richard Diebenkorn. The discussion examined the ways in which he would divide and address the negative space. Each student arranged their own still life of three objects. Meghann's drawing is rich in value and textural variety. Similar to Diebenkorn's work, her composition is divided into a large square area (spoon and knob), a vertical rectangle extending from top to bottom on the right and a horizontal rectangle reaching from side to side. In addition, she has controlled the lighting with a darkened and directed light surrounding the objects.

SMALL COMPOSITIONS

Siobhan Williams

Kate Donovan

Angelica Blancas-mims

Friday morning began with a series of quick, compositional studies. The changes in Siobhan's drawing are subtle but reveal her attention to the negative areas and the relationships between the objects. In the afternoon, students made a finished drawing from the studies. Kate's drawing is sharp, crisp and clear exhibiting rich, contrasting values, subtle textural changes and a well balanced design. Notice the rhythms within the cast shadows. Angelica's drawing exhibits a keen attention to the details, in particular the metallic, reflective surfaces of the objects. In addition, the minimal rendering of the space adds context without being overbearing.

SMALL COMPOSITIONS

Students continued working with small, individual compositions. Here are some examples of the more resolved drawings. The success of these compositions lies within the attention to the negative areas and the relationships between the objects. All drawings are 9 x 12 in.

Jane Collier

Naomi Lehr

Luis Rodriguez Chombo

Leah Lehr

Stevie Young

COMPOSITION:Diebenkorn Comps

Luis Rodriguez Chombo

Inspired by the compositional studies of Richard Diebenkorn, students made drawings from small, individual still-life arrangements. Although the drawing is unfinished, Luis has started with a very strong compositional arrangement. The two rectangular forms create a funnel-like shape that empties down into the keys. The rings of the keys establish a secondary rhythm hooking upward towards the right. In addition, Luis' use of cropping has allowed him to engage with all four sides of the paper.

COMPOSITION continued

Morgan Caricchio

Once again, students made small arrangements of 3 to 5 objects to draw. Morgan has very effectively employed "cropping" within the composition above. The forms and shapes all work as interlocking elements of the "whole." In particular, notice how the black areas establish a rhythm moving from positive (the dots) to negative (cast shadows and background).

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.