IDEAL SOLIDS

Dylan

Jessica

Last night we discussed the Ideal Solids; standard geometric forms found in most manufactured items. We also rendered the forms with value illustrating volume and the categories of light with atmosphere. First we drew each individual form: cone, cylinder, open cylinder, cube and sphere. We concluded the evening with a demo on materials and their application. Everyone then chose one of the Ideal Solids to draw exploring the materials and techniques. (Click the tabs above for more info on the Ideal Solids and the Categories of Light).
In the drawings above, the form was sketched out with vine charcoal. Then a base tone was applied with compressed charcoal and smeared into the surface with a paper towel. Next light areas were erased (this is called reductive drawing). From there values were readdressed with compressed charcoal and charcoal pencil.

IDEAL SOLIDS: Class cancelled

Unfortunately, I needed to cancel class light night. An action I do not take lightly. What we would have done and will do Wednesday evening is address the Ideal Solids (standard geometric forms found within many manufactured items). We will also discuss light and form (i.e. rendering an object three-dimensionally with shading).

LINE: Gesture and Volume Techniques

Ryan

Last night class began with a discussion on Gesture Drawing. Where Contour drawings are single, slow, incisive lines, Gesture drawings are quick, spontaneous and group lines together. Before addressing gestural techniques we made Cross-Contour drawings addressing volume. Cross-contours flow across the typography of a form. The left and right side contours are implied through the repetition of horizontal lines arcing across the form.

Diana

Next, we made Continuous Line Drawings. This technique is a bridge between Contour and Gesture. Like Contour, the line addresses the edges of the form but like Gesture the lines are repeated, the largest parts are addressed first moving towards the smaller parts and lastly, the form is rendered transparently. The objective is to avoid "outlining", which is flat and two-dimensional. The gourd above is constructed like a "snowman"; first you make the bottom, then the middle and lastly, the head.

Emily

The drawing above is an example of the Scribble Gesture technique. This approach addresses the mass of the form while also illustrating the light. Notice when lines are grouped together they act more like values. Dark lines tend to advance in space where dark values recede.

The Mass technique, like Scribble, addresses the mass and light. The object should appear like a solid, smokey, mass. There should be a sense of weight as well as the light patterns.

We ended the evening with Gesture drawings combining the techniques of Mass and Line. The Line portion captures the structure or armature of the form where the Mass addresses the weight, solidity and light.

LINE: Contour Drawings

Dylan

Jennifer

Last night, class began with a discussion on Contour Line Drawing (refer to Line tab above). Initially, we focused on creating fluid, confident lines avoiding the tendency to "hedge" the line. Hedging is a back and forth motion that makes the line have a slight zig-zag or "hairy" appearance. Proportions are NOT a concern at this point in drawing. After completing a couple of studies with even, smooth line quality, we added "accenting"; areas in the line that swell (thick and thin or light and dark). Accents may address changes in direction or structure of the line, changes in value, light, color, texture and changes in weight.

INTRODUCTIONS: Syllabus and Materials

At our first meeting of the semester, we discussed the syllabus and required materials. Downloads of the syllabus with included materials list are available under our class section number in the Schedule of Classes and on the Smith Art 7A Canvas page. Next week we begin discussing Line (ex. above). I suggest searching through the archives on this blog to acquaint yourself with the upcoming topics. Students will need 18 x 24 in. drawing pad, spiral bound sketchbook, pencils and pens.

FINAL PROJECT: The Jungle

All this week students will be working on their final projects, "The Jungle." The objective is to create an image of shallow depth with attention to texture and the categories of light. Here are some examples from previous semesters for reference.

TEXTURE:Still Life

Luke Mello

Yesterday the class continued addressing texture. A still life was arranged with objects of various local values and textures (i.e. wood, metal, organic). Students were allowed to use any medium and to render the still life in the style of their choosing.
Luke has rendered the still life in a traditional manner addressing the local values, categories of light as well as the individual textures of each object. The composition is well balanced with strong attention to the negative areas. Furthermore, the values are rich, rendered in a variety of additive and reductive techniques.