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.

HOMEWORK #5: Still Life in Ink

Kate Picchi

Elaine Gutsch

Draw a still life of at least three small objects using ink in 12 x 15 in. drawing paper.  Employ cross-hatching, stippling and/or a combination of techniques. Pay attention to composition, negative space and eye level.  Kate's drawing above is rich with textural variety while Elaine's drawing dynamically encloses the negative areas into large and small triangles leading the "eye" on a zig-zag path.

THURS. 10/ 27 INK: Flattening the Picture Plane

Ashley Hurd

Valentin Mendoza

The objective of this project was to draw attention to the surface of the picture plane by creating a flattened sense of space. Ashley's drawing above perfectly illustrates the process of creating atmosphere with broad, sweeping brush strokes combined with drips and splatters with diluted ink washes. Then she developed the forms with line work. And finally adding solidity to the forms with white ink washes. Valentin's drawing exhibits great use of materials as well.  The medium of ink and washes is a perfect match for illustrating the wet and slimy textures of fish and water. Look closely at the delicate gradations he's achieved on the back's of the fish and lure.

TUES. 10/25 India Ink

Students explored mark-making possibilities by way of the Dada/ Surrealist game "The Exquisite Corpse".  About the game: 3 participants, first person draws the head, second person torso, third legs and feet. Students were introduced to the techniques of hatching, stippling, patterning and combining the techniques all using pen and ink.

Next class, bring three to five personal, hand-held items for a still life of your own.

THURS. 10/20 MIDTERM DRAWING EXAM

Cullen Houser

Abigail Sanchez

Oscar Mendoza

For the midterm drawing, students had to address the concepts covered to date: composition, line quality, value and proportions. Here are three examples of the many excellent drawings.
With his use of line and tone, Cullen has beautifully captured the light and shadow patterns as well as the fragility of the broken ceramics. Also take note of the balance between positive and negative areas.
Abigail has taken a beautifully minimal approach to the still life.  Note her use of value patterns in the shadows to establish rhythm. The key to the success of her vignetted composition lies within the centered placement with plenty of negative area allowing the eye to breath and encircle the still life.
Oscar's drawing also has a strong sense of design and rhythm.  Note the similarity in the wavy pattern on the mug (left) and the reflections in the lid (right). The criss-crossing triangles on the paper perfectly contrast the curvilinear nature of the ceramic forms.