NO CLASS TUESDAY, FEB. 2nd - Flex Day
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Homework #2 (Assigned 1/28 - Due 2/4) -Draw 1 pair of shoes -Use contour line -Use line to describe texture and pattern -Focus on line quality -No shading -Use 1 full sheet of the heavyweight, white drawing paper -Use pen (remember my demonstration of the homework - think about using graphite pencils to sketch your pair of shoes before applying pen - then erase all graphite)
Texture and Pattern The most important thing to remember when translating textures and patterns is that they exist on the surface. It is topical information following the curves and planar shifts of the form it covers. The subject must be drawn accurately first, then the texture or pattern may be applied.
Composition Composition is a relationship you create between positive space, negative space, and the format (your drawing surface). The center, top, bottom, and sides of the format are of equal importance until the image is placed; then priority is given to a specific area. Centralizing an image results in maximum balance and symmetry, while offsetting an image can create movement and asymmetry. The arrangement of value, line, shape, form, texture, and space within the format greatly impacts your subject matter.
Negative Space There are two components in drawing, the form/positive space, and the area around the form/negative space. It is most common to focus on the subject of a drawing, making sure the proportions are correct and the shapes are accurate. However, the space around and in between the subject, the negative space, is just as important to focus on. The form must be correct, but so must its relationship to any of the other subjects in the picture plane. Placement, spacing and proportion are considerations taken when constructing both positive and negative space. And think about this, when you draw your subject, you're simultaneously drawing/defining the negative space.
Homework #1 ( Assigned Thurs., Jan. 21 - Due Tues., Jan. 26 ) -Choose 2 organic objects (i.e. fruit, plants, rocks) -Choose 3 geometric/planar objects (i.e. luggage, tools, furniture) -Arrange a still life using all 5 objects (2 organic and 3 geometric/planar) -Create a CONTOUR LINE drawing of said still life -Use 1 full sheet of 18"x24" heavyweight, white drawing paper -Use your full range of graphite pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B) -Focus on contour line and line quality, as well as proportions and accurate shapes -NO SHADING!
Sighting The use of a measuring device to check the relative size and position of a subject and its individual parts is known as sighting. A measuring device is any straight and narrow tool with clean edges, we will most likely always use a pencil as our measuring device in this class, and I will refer to the measuring device as a pencil below. The goal is to create a unit of measure for comparison throughout your drawing , so how do we do that? Be consistent. Hold the measuring device in the hand you are not using to draw, and extend your arm fully. Make sure the pencil is at a right angle to your line of vision (imagine being pressed into a microscope slide so that you become a flat plane) keeping your pencil parallel to you, not pointing forward or backward. To gauge proportions, line up one end of your pencil with one edge of the object and adjust the tip of your thumb on the pencil to line up with the opposite edge of the subject. Between your thumb and the top of your pe...
Basic Shapes There are four basic shapes, and it is possible to draw any object, rega rdless of it's complexity, by employing said shapes. The cube, the cylinder, the sphere, and the cone are the ba sic forms you may combine to achieve a desired structure. When combining shapes, pay particular attention to position and scale. The illustration below is an example of how to construct an object using basic shapes. The Ellipse There is a fifth basic shape, which is really a modification of the sphere, which is called an ellipse . In geometry, an ellipse (from the Greek elleipsis , a "falling short") is a plane curve that results from an intersection of a cone by a plane in a way that creates a closed curve. Circles seen in perspective are ellipses, or flattened spheres. You will encounter ellipses often, they are an integral part of drawing from observation, showing depth and conveying perspective. And remember, circles don't have corners, therefore ellipses should ...
Contour Line Contour line drawing describes the touchable edges of an object; identifying the edges of every shift in plane with a line. There is no color, value, shading, or topical information included in this practice. When working in this manner, it is helpful to slow down your observation. Look at your subject carefully and translate every curve and shift as you come to it, corresponding the movement of your hand with the movement of your eye. It is important to stop relying on your memory of what an object should look like, and start focusing on true observation and honestly recording the object in front of you.
Line It is possible to reduce everything we see around us into line. It is the most basic form of drawing. Think about how natural it is to use line to define a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface. However natural it is to use line on the page, we actually recognize and identify forms in real life through light and shadow, not line... so why use it? Translating what we see in our environment into a drawing requires a new way of looking. Careful observation and attention to detail are necessary. Working with line allows us to focus on accuracy in shapes and proportions of objects, giving you a strong foundation on which to build value and texture and pattern. A successful drawing starts with a strong base.
Materials List -Large Newsprint Sketchpad, 18"x24", rough surface -Large Strathmore Sketchpad, 18"x24", smooth surface, heavy weight (400 series, premium recycled) -Drawing board with clips for 18"x24" pads -Graphite Pencils: 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B -Charcoal Pencils: Soft, Medium, Hard, or 2B, 4B, 6B -White Chalk (soft) -Compressed Charcoal Sticks -Vine Charcoal Sticks -Sandpaper or sandpaper block -Blending stumps -Chamois (art cloth) -Kneaded Eraser -Pink Pearl or white plastic eraser -Pencil Sharpener, with container for shavings -Fine, Medium and Thick black magic marker -Can of Spray Fixative, workable (use outdoor only) -18 - 24" Metal Ruler with cork backing -Roll of 1/2" white Artists Tape -Scissors -Glue Stick -Supply box -Portfolio Art Supply Stores - Art Supply Warehouse , 6672 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683, (714)891-3626 - Lyon Art Supply Co. , 420 East Fourth St., Long Beach, CA 90802, (562)435-5383 - The Art Store/Dick Blick ...
Art 15-Beginning Drawing, Spring 2010 Tues/Thurs, 4:00-6:50PM, K135 Instructor-Lauren Dees Syllabus Prerequisite: None Course Description: This is an introductory studio experience in freehand drawing with an emphasis on creative expression through the use of drawing media. Focus is placed on drawing methods and skills (i.e. line, volume, tone, texture, perspective, composition), as well as the observation and exploration of media. This course is conducted with the assumption that the student has no formal training in freehand drawing. Course Overview/Objectives: This class will introduce you to the fundamental skills of drawing and composition. The emphasis will be working from observation. You will acquire a working knowledge of basic drawing skills including value, gesture, contour, perspective, color and composition that will act as a good foundation as you continue in your artistic career. This course will involve observational in-class assignments and homework, as well...