HOMEWORK #4: The Place Setting

On 18 x 24 in. drawing paper using graphite pencils make a drawing of a meal setting. Your still life should be the "before or after" setting of a meal. Create an asymmetrical composition including plate(s), glassware, silverware, etc. You may also include cereal boxes or condiment bottles, etc. for a stronger narrative. Be imaginative and creative. (Look closely and study the compositions above. These are all exceptional drawings.)

MIDTERM DRAWING EXAMS

All this week students will be working on midterm drawings and participating in portfolio reviews. Here are some examples from previous semesters. The objective of the midterm drawings is for students to display their understanding of the concepts pertaining to line, value, positive and negative shape and composition.

HOMEWORK #3 Local Value

Frank Vallin

Mike Koonce

On 18 x 24 in. drawing paper using graphite pencils make a drawing addressing the local values of at least three objects. The still life should consist of one dark object, one mid-toned object and one light object. While addressing the local values, illustrate the categories of light as well. The two drawings above are stellar examples of this project. Take note of the full, rich rendering of value and texture as well as the attention to negative space (i.e. background). Frank has worked the entire surface with additive and reductive drawing whereas Mike has vignetted the still life with horizontal bands. Both approaches are acceptable and more importantly very effective when done well.

VALUE PATTERNS

Angelica Cortez

Yesterday students of the Friday 7A class made drawings addressing the value patterns observed in a still life of black, gray and white objects. Angelica's drawing above is composed well and exhibits balance among similar objects as well as in the negative areas. Notice how the long cast shadows balance the darks of the upper left hand corner. She has very effectively used value for dramatic effect evoking a moonlit scenario. In addition, Angelica illustrates a more expressive or "painterly" application and manipulation of the materials.

VALUE PATTERNS continued

Daniela Abed

Last night students continued with studying value patterns. Upon entering Daniela's drawing at the funnel in the foreground, you are immediately pushed to the stacked funnels on the left, mostly by association and likeness but also by the direction of the funnel spout in the foreground. The white areas and forms then direct your eye diagonally to the right. The subtleties in tone and the attention to shadow are beautifully rendered but it's the attention to the negative areas that really sets the space for this drawing. Notice how the negative areas around the still life "loosely" follow the edges as if the objects were laying on a pillow. The dark areas between the objects and under the inside of the tilted funnel are skillfully balanced against the black funnel and pipe in the background.

VALUE PATTERNS

Last night students made drawings addressing value patterns observed across a still life. The objective was to establish a rhythm with the placement of similar values throughout the composition.

Sarena Dunn

Sarena's drawing above exhibits a well balanced composition rich with value and textural variation. The combination of additive and reductive techniques addresses the light and weight of objects while providing dark and moody atmospheric conditions. The real strength in the drawing is the attention she has given to the negative areas. The spaces between the objects are like little cave openings allowing the "eye" to travel through the space. The tonal variations in the background are atmospheric in quality and envelop the objects holding them in the space.

Patty Camara

Patty's combination of man-made, geometric forms accented with organic reed-like marks suggests a surrealist still-life arrangement. The alternating light and dark forms tumble the "eye" across the composition while the two black areas pull the "eye" up and down. The reed-like marks create a whimsical and fantastic sense of light giving the objects a more powerful, almost magical, character. Both of these drawings have effectively used value for dramatic effect as well as to create volume and depth.

VALUE: Local Value and Rendering Light

Kyle Sullivan

Friday morning began with studies made from two white objects rendered in graphite pencil. In the upper left hand corner students drew value scales of six tones. Kyle's drawing illustrates the design qualities achieved with more than one light source realized in the multiple cast shadows. This would normally reveal artificial lighting but Kyle has transformed the table top into a barren, surreal landscape suggesting the presence of two suns.

Patricia Baskerville

After the lunch break, students made drawings emphasizing Light by employing a single, directional hatch or scribble gesture. Patricia's drawing is rich and varied with its swirling, frantic web of lines. The dark mass in the background is reminiscent of a foreboding storm moving inward. Notice how she has reenforced the negative areas between objects creating dark passages for the "eye" to wander and move through.