Week 1 - The first unit of a seven unit course has the student looking into the drawing process. As part of this drawing process one is working to develop helpful skills and rid ourselves of bad drawing habits.
The first concept looked at is the dialogue that an artist needs to engage in as they work on a drawing. Though it is easy to use a critical dialogue that picks apart the quality, likeness, or skills of one's drawing we are trying instead to develop a practical dialogue of asking questions about our subject so that one can better understand what it is one actually sees.
Learning the three part process of looking with our eyes, holding that view with our mind, and then using our hand to place it on a drawing surface. One is finding that just the fear of making a mistake can keep us from looking at the subject and getting caught up in the drawing on the paper. For this reason one needs to practice blind drawing- the process of drawing while we look at our subject and checking only after we made a mark. This results in one having to restate a drawing to make corrections rather then erasing.
We are also learning to not let our mind conquer our seeing. We need to trust eyes for what they are seeing not our mind for what it is thinking. We have also learn to develop squinting to remove detail on objects they have so much we don't know where to start.
week 2
This week we are concentrating on the four rules of shape. The first is find the largest shape. The second is to find the smaller enrichment shapes. Thirdly look for connected shapes. Fourthly look for "trapped".
Weeks 3-4
With weeks 3 and 4 we are looking at the fact that artists have two basic hand writings.
A free relaxed style that allows for work to flow, quickly with the essence of the subject matter capture in just a few expressive strokes. The other is a controlled hand that demands accuracy and concise movements. This hand creates detailed drawings with an eye for exact placement of elements.
We also need to observe the hands of several different artists. Copying some to see their style and emulating others with personal style.
We also looking at gesture drawing, quickly capturing some thoughts about our subject on paper. to do this we used various media- drawing materials.
Weeks 4-5
This unit will cover the concept of sighting to establish measurements. There are three forms of measurement we use they are finding the midpoint, establishing plumb and level, and using comparative measurements to complete our drawing. We also look at foreshortening, viewing the subject from a distorted position. As we draw we will develop a critical measurement to establish essentially accurate portraits. We will also learn how to intensify the measurements to create unique drawings with a new visual interest
weeks 6-7
We are working on lights and shadows. starting with mapping of tone areas. Developing the light/shadow pattern using the l/s model to become aware of highlights, reflected light, source and shadows will be observes as we draw. Analyzing light as far it's source and quality. we will leran to use light to create mood within a drawing concentrating on contrasts, merging shadows and using light to create an solid over all design.
weeks 8-9
We are drawing closer to the end of the unit. We are working on transitioning from beginning to advanced drawing skills. It is now important to choose a subject of your interest. Research that subject and do a series of sketches to develop ideas. From these sketches develop a thumb nail sketch of your drawings layout and design. Practice the elements in creating this rough sketch. Now create a drawing in black and White and then a drawing in color. When finished place the two next each other and begin to critically look at your work. List the strengths and weaknesses of each drawing. Set new drawing goals and continue to create new work. Good luck and have fun!