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Building Drawing Skills
Building Drawing Skills
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These images to the left contain just a few of my investigations into image making without trying to draw something recognizable. Since the early collage pieces I began working it (whatever "it" is) into charcoal abstractions and investigations into what I now call the "Scribble Rendering", done in graphite. This has become a signature (important) assignment for my students each semester. It first came about as an attempt to replace the traditional gray scale assignment with something more engaging and challenging. It seems to be the one assignment that provides the most challenges, both conceptually and in execution. Thus, I think it has the most to teach a student about image making; things like composition and design, building textures and patterns, creating unity and rhythm, as well as variety and organization. The paper bag drawing is another project that helps my students take their developing understanding of light and shadow to a new level of accomplishment in drawing skill and visual sensitivity.
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The Central Importance of the Sketchbook
The Central Importance of the Sketchbook
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The weekly assignment of 3 pages of drawings in a students sketchbook is a central part of any drawing class I teach. My goal is to help my students develop a life skill that they can take with them. My time of instruction with them ends. Their self instruction, through sketchbooks should last a lifetime. Many times, because of my own work in my sketchbooks, I am able to show examples and illustrations right out of those pages. An artist is always a student, no matter how old, advanced, or skilled they may be. To think otherwise is to risk letting complacency creep into ones work. I believe in teaching the mechanics of good drawing principles and skills. Technique and speed come with time and serious practice. The keeping of a sketchbook is one of the best skill building activities I can share with my students. |
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Personal Drawings
Personal Drawings
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As a working artist I tend to paint far more than I draw. But then, all painting is drawing. However, there are times when a few good charcoal drawings are as much as a vacation for me, when I need it, as 3 weeks or more off from painting altogether. Simple graphic qualities are uniquely and easily expressed in drawing, especially with charcoal. Have a look sometime at the works of Kathe Kollwitz for a powerful example of what I'm talking about. |
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iPad Drawings and Paintings
iPad Drawings and Paintings
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The painting and drawing apps for the iPad have helped me access a way to paint abstractly in ways I've never felt empowered to do so before. Whether or not the abstract images will ever make their way into my paintings remains to be seen. Each time I try to do it, it feels pushed and unnatural. Still I really enjoy those investigations on the iPad. Representational drawing with the iPad is another way to work on ones skills. Being that it is already digital, transference of the image is quite a bit easier. |