Class Review 1/31

Drawing 1:

Tonight we began working on exploring the formal properties of a famous work by a Renaissance or Baroque artist. Each student brought in an image of a famous work from one of these periods.

In our work we began dissecting our found images by first recognizing its scale, proportion and the position of the figures through the use of a single, contour line. Your entire drawing was completed in an hour and a half with the use of one single line. Though a frustrating process, many of you found how difficult grappling with proportion can be. After this we discussed the basic use of visual or in this case comparative measurement.

Our second drawing was a geometric or planar study. The controls in this drawing were that it must be executed using only basic geometric shapes (circle, square, triangle and rectangle). Students were forced to simplify their image, discover its essence, if most basic formal properties. In this drawing students used their pencils and their eye to test the scale of figures and their positions within the image. Then you were asked to use your value scale to shade the image with flat value tones. Once again this forced you to see the work in its most general terms.

We will continue discussing the context of Renaissance versus art that is made today. We will also discuss the formal properties of the artwork and what makes the work compelling.

Drawing 2:

Students continued working on their hallway drawings. Each conversation dealt with several different issues. One things regularly discussed was the use of visual measurement to determine angles of walls, ceiling tiles and breaks in the flooring. Moving forward it will be important to remember how important comparison will be in establishing contours, scale of figures in the space and value tones.

More to come on Tuesday.

Class Preview - 1/22

Drawing 1 Students,
In Tuesdays class we will continue talking about the relationship between line and value and the relationship between the object and space. Please be prepared to do a series of longer drawings using graphite pencil and compressed charcoal.

Also, please have your value scales completed before class tomorrow.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Brandon.

Semiotics - D2 Read and Respond

Hello Drawing 2 Students,
With the hope of bringing art history into our classroom dialog you will be asked to read a short article each week pertaining to a different movement in post-modern art. Each article tries to capture the heart of that movement and some of the artists associated with it. The articles come from the book Drawing From the Postmodern: 1975-2005 by Jordan Kantor.

After reading each article, please respond in the form of a comment below. Please include one or two paragraphs that include either a personal summary of the movement or a commentary related to what you read. Also please paste two links to web pages that include artist work indicative of that particular movement (see example). Your first posting is due 1/28.

Example:
Artist Name: Rivane Neuenschwander
Name of Artwork: Eu desejo o seu desejo / I wish your wish, 2003.
Link: http://www.zatista.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Rivanne11.jpg

Let me know if you have any questions.
B.

Class Preview - 1/17

Hello Drawing 1 Students,
To prepare for tonights class, please be ready to discuss form and our relationship to the object. The first couple of class periods will be an introduction to the idea of space and environment and how they relate to figures within space. We will also be discussing basic drawing techniques and how value effects three-dimensionality. Don't worry, it sounds more complicated than it really is.

Drawing 2 Students, please be ready to begin your first project (I guess you prepare for that by psyching yourself up and bringin your graphite pencils). Also, please bring an object to class that will fit in your hand. This object could be anything as long as its inanimate. If you don't get this message in time, that's okay, I can provide an object.

See you all soon,
Brandon

Welcome to Drawing Class

Hello everyone,
I am really looking forward to this semester and hope that it will enrich all of our perspectives. Once again, this class will be focused on both formal issues of drawing and technique as well as concept and the development of ideas within our works.

This blog is simply a guide to help you review some of the things that we have talked about in class and to provide an outlet for further conversation.

Below is the Material List for the class. Please be sure to review your syllabus concerning classroom policies.

Materials List / Drawing 1-4

Soft and Hard Charcoal (Charcoal pencils, Vine and Compressed)
H, F and B series pencils *see chart
Black India Ink and drawing tool with nib and Rigger/Liner Brush or Calligraphy (Sumi) Brushes
White square drafting eraser
Kneaded eraser
Scissors
Rubber Cement Glue with Rubber Cement Eraser
Pad of Newsprint (18x24 at least)
Pad of Strathmore-non-charcoal tooth (18x24 at least)
(You can purchase different sizes of paper, just make sure you have this size.)
Tote Box

Optional:
Sketchbook
Ruler
Pins
Painters Tape or drafting tape
Prismacolor pencils and markers ($$)
Micron pens

Your materials list will be dictated by the progression of our dialogue throughout the semester.Your projects will vary dependant on your concept. Be ready to make purchases or use materials that are for specific projects throughout the semester.


Please let me know if you have any questions.

-Brandon