Week 6
This week, we learned about value, light, and shadows. Now that you know about reflected light, you'll see it everywhere (because it literally is everywhere)!
Click below to download the file of the presentation:
Click below to download the file of the presentation:
| week_6.pdf |
Week 5:
I think I need to record another sighting demo specifically for drawing in perspective. I'd like to get that done before class officially ends, but that might be pushing it for me. I'll definitely let you all know when I have it recorded though! For now, here is what we talked about in class:
|
Materials for next week:
Pencil, eraser, sketchbook or drawing paper, drawing board An egg OR a smooth, solid-colored ball with a matte texture A lamp with a single bulb value scale worksheet (file below)
|
| ||
Week 4:
This weeks exercises build directly on what we learned last week about measuring points and angles, but now we're learning to work from life instead of photos.
Video of the full class:
Video of the full class:
Demo video:
|
Exercise 1: Sighting
Using your pencil as a measuring tool when drawing from life. Materials: -paper -drawing board -pencil -eraser -3 items to set up as a still life (its best if they are items of varying shapes and sizes, rather than things that are all similar in shape and size.) OPTIONAL BUT HELPFUL: -a lamp with a single bulb, such as a gooseneck lamp (In a couple weeks this will not be optional, so it might be helpful to just find one now ;-) -a 3 sided box, to use as a simple background for your still life. Reminder: Straighten your elbow AND make sure your pencil is perpendicular to your line of sight for EVERY. SINGLE. MEASUREMENT. |
Example still life set up in a 3 sided box. Notice the varying size and shape of the three chosen items. The box isn't required, but it's a quick way to make a simple, non-distracting background for your still life. Lighting it with a single-bulb lamp simplifies the shadows.
|
|
Exercise 2: Viewfinder with Grid
-paper -drawing board -pencil -eraser -Cardstock or stiff paper/cardboard -Ruler -Marker -Tape -String or thread Making your viewfinder: -Measure your sketchbook page. -Draw a rectangle in the middle of your cardstock the same size as your sketchbook page. If you have a large sketchbook, you can draw a smaller rectangle on your page instead. -Cut out the center rectangle, leaving the frame whole. -Measure and mark the center of each side of the rectangle. -Tape 2 pieces of thread across your rectangle, crossing in the center. |
    |
Tape your viewfinder to a window or a doorway, or find your own way to place it somewhere with an interesting view. Use the grid to find reference points when drawing and making measurements.
Week 3
Click this link to see the slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BZMXqqqPlgQy8yFRm8Zy0CWv8cAqj118tEctp4gLql8/edit?usp=sharing
For those of you who missed this week, I suggest approaching the material in this order:
First, look at the slideshow linked above to get an idea of the concept we're working with this week.
Second, watch the entire demo video below WITHOUT trying to work along with it, just watch it.
Finally, watch the demo video again, pausing it periodically as you do each step of the exercise.
The homework this week is to choose a second reference image (still found at the bottom of this page) and try this exercise again.
In your sketchbook, try sketching a few things from photos OR from life. Keep the principles practiced in this exercise in mind--notice ANGLES and DISTANCES and try to record them accurately. Next week, we will practice a couple strategies for doing that, but trying it first can help you be more ready to apply them when the time comes.
Class video:
For those of you who missed this week, I suggest approaching the material in this order:
First, look at the slideshow linked above to get an idea of the concept we're working with this week.
Second, watch the entire demo video below WITHOUT trying to work along with it, just watch it.
Finally, watch the demo video again, pausing it periodically as you do each step of the exercise.
The homework this week is to choose a second reference image (still found at the bottom of this page) and try this exercise again.
In your sketchbook, try sketching a few things from photos OR from life. Keep the principles practiced in this exercise in mind--notice ANGLES and DISTANCES and try to record them accurately. Next week, we will practice a couple strategies for doing that, but trying it first can help you be more ready to apply them when the time comes.
Class video:
Demo Video:
|
Prep for next week:
Find 3 items of contrasting shape and size to set up as a still life. It is also easiest to have a simple background for your still life. You can set it up against a blank wall, or use a 3 sided box as I have (see example photo on the right). When drawing from life, its usually easiest to have a drawing board (basically a large clip board, you can improvise with a large board and document clips) to draw on instead of a table. We will also be building a viewfinder with a simple grid. For this we will need: Cardstock or similar stiff paper ruler scissors tape string or thread pencil eraser marker |
Example Still life set up:
|
Week 2
This week, our focus was on abstraction. Paradoxically, learning to see things abstractly--as shapes and lines rather than focusing on their realistic, dimensional qualities--is essential to being able to draw them accurately.
Below, you can download a PDF of this weeks slide presentation:
Below, you can download a PDF of this weeks slide presentation:
| week_2.pdf |
A few other fun links:
Brian Reagan jokes about Art-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JforqAWJHAU
More on Picasso, starting at 22:33 (This is talking specifically about writing, but is applicable to art as well) : www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPptuJYSf4E
More on the Treachery of Images: https://pin.it/5ol22Ae
Materials for next week:
Pencil, paper, eraser (For this exercise, it will be easiest to draw on a piece of printer paper.)
1 Printed reference image (see below)
Tape
ruler/straightedge
Tracing paper (OR transparency page OR a light table / window--basically, you just need a page you can see your reference image through that you can also draw on.)
(If using a transparency page, a dry erase or vis a vis marker)
Brian Reagan jokes about Art-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JforqAWJHAU
More on Picasso, starting at 22:33 (This is talking specifically about writing, but is applicable to art as well) : www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPptuJYSf4E
More on the Treachery of Images: https://pin.it/5ol22Ae
Materials for next week:
Pencil, paper, eraser (For this exercise, it will be easiest to draw on a piece of printer paper.)
1 Printed reference image (see below)
Tape
ruler/straightedge
Tracing paper (OR transparency page OR a light table / window--basically, you just need a page you can see your reference image through that you can also draw on.)
(If using a transparency page, a dry erase or vis a vis marker)
You only need to print ONE page of the above file to use as a reference image. You can also look through the images in the gallery on the right.
|
| ||
Week 1
Here is the video of our class. I forgot to hit record at the beginning so I missed all the intros, however all the lecture and exercises are included.
A few links to things that are related to the lecture tonight. Watching/reading these aren't required, just for those who have time and are interested.
First, a video by a friend of mine about her sketchbook. She is an accomplished illustrator so of course has many beautiful drawings in her sketchbook--don't get hung up on that. Pay attention to how she makes the sketchbook work for her and doesn't try to make anything perfect. Her sketchbook is a casual place to experiment, practice, and dump ideas, none of which has to be pretty: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up9GT6LUfH8&feature=youtu.be
An interesting article on how art helps us notice details in real life (like we start noticing details doing the blind contour drawings...) : https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-art-helps-police-officers-pay-attention-details
A very short article on the health benefits of art (with a link to longer ones): https://jamesclear.com/make-more-art
An even longer rambling rant by me about my feelings on attitudes toward artistic SKILL vs TALENT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk5WqeN_U9k
First, a video by a friend of mine about her sketchbook. She is an accomplished illustrator so of course has many beautiful drawings in her sketchbook--don't get hung up on that. Pay attention to how she makes the sketchbook work for her and doesn't try to make anything perfect. Her sketchbook is a casual place to experiment, practice, and dump ideas, none of which has to be pretty: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up9GT6LUfH8&feature=youtu.be
An interesting article on how art helps us notice details in real life (like we start noticing details doing the blind contour drawings...) : https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-art-helps-police-officers-pay-attention-details
A very short article on the health benefits of art (with a link to longer ones): https://jamesclear.com/make-more-art
An even longer rambling rant by me about my feelings on attitudes toward artistic SKILL vs TALENT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk5WqeN_U9k
Week 2 prep:
Print ONE page of the week2ref file, and print ALL THREE pages of the puzzle file:
| puzzle.pdf |
|
| ||
