Thursday, September 29, 2011
AL.CHEMY.org /// Making Order out of Chaos
alchemy |’alkemē
Figurative: a process by which paradoxical results are achieved or incompatible elements combined with no obvious rational explanation
Alchemy is an open drawing project aimed at exploring how we can sketch, draw, and create on computers in new ways. Alchemy isn’t software for creating finished artwork, but rather a sketching environment that focuses on the absolute initial stage of the creation process. Experimental in nature, Alchemy lets you brainstorm visually to explore an expanded range of ideas and possibilities in a serendipitous way.
In this project we are using alchemy to make a minimum of 5 drawings on the computer. We then print these off and use them as the basis for a drawing using the various shapes, lines, and forms that were created within the digital space (drawing from observation). Once these are printed they are objects and now have a reality to their own. Using pen and ink, wash, and brushes to complete the drawing we then will return to the computer as a drawing tool to finalize the completed work. Below are some photos from this project in process.
Viewfinder VS Grid
PART ONE
In this drawing project students made viewfinders to help determine composition, scale, and proportion for their drawings. We worked outside from observation with charcoal and newsprint focusing on accurately portraying landscape, architecture, and surroundings. Value shifts in the finished work was to be heavily considered in order to break apart the space and create rhythm and cohesion throughout the final piece.
PART TWO
While they were working on their drawings I had each student photograph their subject using a digital camera as the "viewfinder" to record their composition. We then printed those off and used a grid to recreate the drawing. Below are the final results.
Many questions were brought up during the critique. Accuracy vs. Expression, What is the value of drawing as a tool? why draw? how can we use drawing to communicate a feeling or emotion about a subject matter? what is the difference between a photo and a drawing? are just a few of the considerations that were made regarding this project.
::::Apologies in advance for the photo caption misspellings ::::
grided = gridded and viewfintder=viewfinder
::::Apologies in advance for the photo caption misspellings ::::
grided = gridded and viewfintder=viewfinder
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Drawings from September 8th :: The Plot Thickens ::
In this series of drawings we continued with our initial studies of the still life by trying to capture the shape and essence of the forms and as well as composition through a series of quick gesture drawings. I added the tuba to the upside down bicycle as well as a branch to challenge the students even further in this assignment. One of the objectives of this drawing was to treat one object as primary, one object as secondary, and one object as tertiary. Below is the final results.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Drawings :: SEPT 05 :: BICYCLE
In this class period we started by creating a minimum of six quick gestural drawings examining the shape of the bicycle and studying the overall form. Later in the class we worked on a lengthier drawing that built on the preliminary studies and focused on composition.
The gesture drawing focuses more on the inference of the figure or subject, not an exact replica of what we see. We practiced quick gesture drawings to train our eye-brain-hand co-ordination to pick up on lines and see where they are in relation to other lines. Before we begin a finished drawing or painting, we gesture it first to get a 'feel' for what you are going to do.
The bicycle
The drawings
The gesture drawings and studies
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