NOTE: TWO RELEVANT POSTS BELOW!
Dear class,
Please bring with you on Monday several (between 1 and 3) photographs of a favorite place -- either one you've been to personally or one you've always wanted to visit. Your photographs may be landscapes, cityscapes, or any combination thereof, but they should be "scapes" -- i.e., representations of a specific place with distinct geological or man-made features. A single photograph will suffice, but the more visual information you have about the place the better off you'll be for our in-class work. The photos may be either black and white or color.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Follow-up to Critique Day
[Important note: Please see post below for next homework assignment!]
Dear class,
Thanks to all of you, today's critique was another success. I saw a lot of great work, and I really appreciate that so many of you took such a personal and deeply felt approach to your drawing. Because of all your thoughtful contributions, I didn't have to say much today -- but please do let me know if you'd like more feedback from me on your project. I'd be happy to provide it.
Dear class,
Thanks to all of you, today's critique was another success. I saw a lot of great work, and I really appreciate that so many of you took such a personal and deeply felt approach to your drawing. Because of all your thoughtful contributions, I didn't have to say much today -- but please do let me know if you'd like more feedback from me on your project. I'd be happy to provide it.
Homework Assignment #8
In preparation for this week's homework assignment, which appears at the end of this post, here are a few images to refresh your memory about depicting movement in still images (i.e., drawings and paintings). The works below are all by the great Italian Futurist Giacomo Balla.
DEPICTING MOVEMENT IN STILL IMAGES:
This week’s assignment is about further exploring ways of conveying movement in drawings. You may choose either of the following approaches:
(1) Drawing from film: Make a drawing based on a selected sequence in your favorite film. Because you’ll want to watch the sequence a number of times at various speeds, be sure you have the proper equipment (i.e., don’t work from memory).
After selecting a good film sequence that you would like to interpret graphically, begin by making a series of quick studies in your notebook. Just as we did in class, concentrate on the way your line quality (or the quality of your marks) reflects the qualities of the various movements your sequence involves (i.e., quick and frenetic, slow and graceful, jumbled and chaotic, precise and mechanical, etc.). You may want to experiment with various drawing materials and colors before beginning your final drawing.
When you have a good sense of how you want to compose your piece, make a drawing on your regular homework paper. Your final piece can be as abstract as it needs to be, as long as it is an interpretation of the movement you observe in your film sequence.
(2) Flipbook: Make a flipbook that creates an illusion of movement as the viewer flips through its pages. Taking some cues from William Kentridge, a very good approach to this is to begin with a used paperback book (you can buy these on the street for cheap or at used bookstores). Be sure to “test” your book before purchasing it (i.e., make sure it’s the kind of book that allows for easy and fluid flipping.) The idea is to use the existing pages creatively, drawing over and around the text however you see fit.
Your sequence of drawings can be abstract (as in a “dancing” line or shape), representational (as in a leaping ballerina), or any combination of the two. Whatever you choose to do, be sure the sequence is long enough to create a rewarding illusion of movement for the viewer. Please keep in mind that your flip book should be a work of art – i.e, it should be something more than the kind of doodle one does in one's algebra text book!
DEPICTING MOVEMENT IN STILL IMAGES:
This week’s assignment is about further exploring ways of conveying movement in drawings. You may choose either of the following approaches:
(1) Drawing from film: Make a drawing based on a selected sequence in your favorite film. Because you’ll want to watch the sequence a number of times at various speeds, be sure you have the proper equipment (i.e., don’t work from memory).
After selecting a good film sequence that you would like to interpret graphically, begin by making a series of quick studies in your notebook. Just as we did in class, concentrate on the way your line quality (or the quality of your marks) reflects the qualities of the various movements your sequence involves (i.e., quick and frenetic, slow and graceful, jumbled and chaotic, precise and mechanical, etc.). You may want to experiment with various drawing materials and colors before beginning your final drawing.
When you have a good sense of how you want to compose your piece, make a drawing on your regular homework paper. Your final piece can be as abstract as it needs to be, as long as it is an interpretation of the movement you observe in your film sequence.
(2) Flipbook: Make a flipbook that creates an illusion of movement as the viewer flips through its pages. Taking some cues from William Kentridge, a very good approach to this is to begin with a used paperback book (you can buy these on the street for cheap or at used bookstores). Be sure to “test” your book before purchasing it (i.e., make sure it’s the kind of book that allows for easy and fluid flipping.) The idea is to use the existing pages creatively, drawing over and around the text however you see fit.
Your sequence of drawings can be abstract (as in a “dancing” line or shape), representational (as in a leaping ballerina), or any combination of the two. Whatever you choose to do, be sure the sequence is long enough to create a rewarding illusion of movement for the viewer. Please keep in mind that your flip book should be a work of art – i.e, it should be something more than the kind of doodle one does in one's algebra text book!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Critique Day for Midterm Projects
Dear class,
As the deadline for your midterm projects is next Monday, March 26th, we will be conducting an all-day critique on that day. It will be the same kind of thing as we had at the end of last semester, so please come prepared for a very full day. Several things of which to take note:
1. Sorry -- no donuts this time! I only do that on the last day of the semester. Please come prepared with your own lunch and snacks. Any breaks we take will be very brief.
2. Each of you should be prepared to give a brief presentation about your drawing before we open the forum for group feedback. Things to consider talking about include: Did you use photographs or other source material for your drawing? What kind of information did this source material provide for you in your drawing process? What drawing materials did you use? Did your ideas change at all during the drawing process? What kinds of difficulties did you encounter along the way? How satisfied are you that your drawing achieved what you set out to achieve?
3. The more generous we all are with our comments, the more rewarding the day will be for everyone. Please make every effort to contribute your feedback to everyone. As with last semester's final, I will be sitting in the audience rather than leading the critique.
4. Out of respect for your fellow students, please refrain from drawing in your notebooks, texting, playing digital chess, or anything else during the presentations. These things are enormously distracting to the person speaking in front of the class.
Good luck on your projects!
As the deadline for your midterm projects is next Monday, March 26th, we will be conducting an all-day critique on that day. It will be the same kind of thing as we had at the end of last semester, so please come prepared for a very full day. Several things of which to take note:
1. Sorry -- no donuts this time! I only do that on the last day of the semester. Please come prepared with your own lunch and snacks. Any breaks we take will be very brief.
2. Each of you should be prepared to give a brief presentation about your drawing before we open the forum for group feedback. Things to consider talking about include: Did you use photographs or other source material for your drawing? What kind of information did this source material provide for you in your drawing process? What drawing materials did you use? Did your ideas change at all during the drawing process? What kinds of difficulties did you encounter along the way? How satisfied are you that your drawing achieved what you set out to achieve?
3. The more generous we all are with our comments, the more rewarding the day will be for everyone. Please make every effort to contribute your feedback to everyone. As with last semester's final, I will be sitting in the audience rather than leading the critique.
4. Out of respect for your fellow students, please refrain from drawing in your notebooks, texting, playing digital chess, or anything else during the presentations. These things are enormously distracting to the person speaking in front of the class.
Good luck on your projects!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Extra Credit Assignment
(See below for information about midterm project.)
Dear class,
As I mentioned on Monday, I'd really like you to see Sarah Sze's show at the Asia Society Museum before it closes on March 25th. Sze is a terrific young(ish) artist whose work will inspire you to think about drawing in new ways.
The Asia Society Museum is located at 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street). It's open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 am–6:00 pm, with extended evening hours Fridays until 9:00 pm.
DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR SVA I.D! The show will cost you $5 with your card.
For more information, see here: Asia Society Museum.
If you go (strongly encouraged!), you can simply tell me a bit about your impressions of the show to receive extra credit.
Dear class,
As I mentioned on Monday, I'd really like you to see Sarah Sze's show at the Asia Society Museum before it closes on March 25th. Sze is a terrific young(ish) artist whose work will inspire you to think about drawing in new ways.
The Asia Society Museum is located at 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street). It's open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 am–6:00 pm, with extended evening hours Fridays until 9:00 pm.
DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR SVA I.D! The show will cost you $5 with your card.
For more information, see here: Asia Society Museum.
If you go (strongly encouraged!), you can simply tell me a bit about your impressions of the show to receive extra credit.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Deadline for Midterm Projects
Dear class,
As I said earlier today, your midterm projects will be due on Monday, March 26th. On that day we'll critique all the drawings.
Next week we will be studying movement, and I will be giving a brief (one-hour) assignment for you to complete in addition to the class work. Please keep this additional assignment in mind as you plan your drawing time over the course of the next two weeks.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The midterm project will count for the bulk of your grade for the spring semester. As with last semester's final, I expect you to put in between 20 and 30 hours on this drawing.
As I said earlier today, your midterm projects will be due on Monday, March 26th. On that day we'll critique all the drawings.
Next week we will be studying movement, and I will be giving a brief (one-hour) assignment for you to complete in addition to the class work. Please keep this additional assignment in mind as you plan your drawing time over the course of the next two weeks.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The midterm project will count for the bulk of your grade for the spring semester. As with last semester's final, I expect you to put in between 20 and 30 hours on this drawing.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Studio Day on March 12th
Dear class,
As you all know, we'll be having our "studio day" on the first Monday after spring break. This is the day when we'll be working with the models and projections for your midterm projects. Please come to class prepared with the following items:
(1) A digital camera. If you don't have one and you plan to use the models and projections, please be sure you can borrow one from a classmate who will be bringing one. It's important that we get good quality photographs, so don't rely on your cellphones for this.
(2) Your notebook. If you'll be working with the models and projections, you should come to class prepared to show the models what you have in mind. Remember: An image is worth a thousand words! It's much more efficient to show the models what you have in mind than it is to explain it verbally.
(3) Your drawing materials and paper for the project. Especially if you don't plan on using the models and projections, you should come to class prepared to get to work on your project. If necessary, we'll send you to another room where you can work without being disrupted.
As you all know, we'll be having our "studio day" on the first Monday after spring break. This is the day when we'll be working with the models and projections for your midterm projects. Please come to class prepared with the following items:
(1) A digital camera. If you don't have one and you plan to use the models and projections, please be sure you can borrow one from a classmate who will be bringing one. It's important that we get good quality photographs, so don't rely on your cellphones for this.
(2) Your notebook. If you'll be working with the models and projections, you should come to class prepared to show the models what you have in mind. Remember: An image is worth a thousand words! It's much more efficient to show the models what you have in mind than it is to explain it verbally.
(3) Your drawing materials and paper for the project. Especially if you don't plan on using the models and projections, you should come to class prepared to get to work on your project. If necessary, we'll send you to another room where you can work without being disrupted.
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