Semester Reflection

I would bet every one of us could say they gained something from this class. Whether that be developing your drawing technique, practicing making organic forms, or just getting in the habit of translating what you see on to paper, etc, this class helps us as artists tremendously.

In looking at the objectives on the syllabus, I believe that if you came to class at least most of the time you had to achieve objective 3 (improving line quality) because we practiced it so damn much. After going back and forth repeatedly doing contours and gestures, I can really tell the difference in my line quality now. I also believe that I'm well versed in objective 2 (understanding, addressing and using human anatomy). I struggled with my Manekin, but I think I got at least a good representation of the important muscles. Taking Phys and Anat, and Human Biology within the last three year really helped my understanding of this objective. Objective 4 (communicate effectively) I am not as confident about simply because I am timid in class discussions, however I enjoy updating my blog and hope I convey and share my thoughts effectively enough through the interwebs. I think the most difficult challenge for me this semester was Objective 1 because of the sketchy, 'painterly' style that I have. Also, 3D not being my favorite dimension, I struggle trying to translate it. I know I've learned much, and know what I need to work on to develop my drawing skills further.

This class is extremely beneficial to my goal of becoming an art instructor by any means necessary. I have a very open mind about the particulars of the career, but I know that having developed skills will help me achieve a position anywhere. Drawing is such a foundation skill in the arts, and I will be teaching a lot of it.

There are some obvious improvements since this first half of the semester. I think my shell drawings show the most evidence. Most of my improvements are described above in achieving the objectives. I tried to take some advice from the midterm grades. I stay updated on my blog and post every week this half. I made improvements to my Manekin by fixing the mentioned muscles.

Here are some of my drawings!:
My Final Portfolio

It's all in the details

I'm really enjoying the lessons in class where we get a chance to learn and practice specific parts of the body that are known to be difficult to draw. The hands, feet, skull, and facial features are some examples of these tricky things that we've been working on lately. I think nailing these specific details is what can push your drawings to be portfolio-quality. Some examples of these are shown above.

(I'm having some difficulties uploading pics, and should have them up soon!)

Shells Shells Shells

Today, our last shell drawing was due. I would say that drawing these was one of my favorite parts about the class. Concentrating on something to get the exact gesture of the contour down is a definite challenge. Drawing it over and over, each time adding an element, is the only way to overcome it and learn. Based on comparing my first one (bottom) and last one (top) it is obvious this worked for me. I loved the inability to control the ink wash in the latter two drawings. I feel it accentuated the organic feel of the form perfectly. I am so happy to have this piece to add to my professional portfolio.

Laurie Lipton

I was lucky enough to stumble upon Laurie Lipton 's site a year back when looking for inspiration for a self-portrait. She is phenomenally talented in simple media like charcoal and pen. Her subject matter is humorous, melancholy, creepy, or any combination of these things. She also usually incorporates blatant sexuality, or at least undertones of it in all her work. Definitely worth checking out. She continues to be an influence in my work.

Trials and Tribulations

I'm so excited by the improvements in my drawing. My gain in knowledge and skill is evident in my gesture drawings, long-term poses, and especially in comparing my third shell drawing to my first two. However, not everything we're learning in this class is coming easily or with improvement. I tend to struggle so much with the manekin muscle building. I'm not a talented 3D artist, but if I were, my forte would be clay. I love working with the palpable and earthy medium, but can't seem to do well with the small detail of the muscle building. This is why the manekin is so dissapointing to me. I know I can do better so I try too hard, then get frustrated with the way the thing looks, and end up giving up.

Spring Remedies

The warm weather is a perfect remedy. Early spring effecting many things in positive ways. I feel like I'm breaking out of a winter depression and coming out of hibernation. The fresh smell of rain is enough to elate my spirits for a whole day. With a better mood my artwork is changing, too. I feel that the new life emerging outside is in turn adding more life to my paintings and drawings somehow. A perfect remedy.

Official Mid-term Post

Life drawing has been an interesting class so far. I've learned a lot both in technique and in observational skills. I think the quality of my line has improved the most, and might be the most important thing we've learned thus far. I believe line is the most essential elements of design for charcoal drawing artists.

The day that had the most effect on me would have to be our museum trip experience. Yes, I've been to numerous museums in my life, but the Walker had a lasting effect on me this time. I think it's partly due to the concepts I'm learning in my studios this semester, including life drawing. This class obviously makes one appreciate the human form, but it also helps you appreciate all that that may entail, namely; the curvature of living, changing, non-geometric forms, and the understanding of what lies beneath and how that effects what appears above.

I look forward to the second half of life drawing. Here are my images so far on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48545219@N08/