self portrait

I do have an assignment for a self portrait, but this is really just a warm up and to satisfy a curiosity.  I wanted to see how my drawing techniques would translate to the tablet, so I have been messing around a bit.  Self portraits are another level of difficulty with respect to seeing.  Not only do I stop "seeing" what I am drawing (I am too close and invested), but it is weird to try and "see" one's self.  Anyway.  Here is a little bit of playfulness.

Paper cutting assignment

This assignment was intended to demonstrate positive and negative spaces, and the relationships between background and foreground (or object/subject).  We were to represent someone's shape.  I chose to use myself as subject, and I wanted to explore the background as strongly black and white, my own boundaries or limitations in shades of gray, and the use of bright colours in loose Fibonacci spirals, positive and negative, to symbolize the desire for beautiful ideas.

Collage sketch assignment

This assignment began in class.  We brought materials for the collage and assembled them during class. the assignment was to reproduce, in pencil, a fully tonal, but slightly smaller version.  The photo is better than some earlier shots, because I was able to use natural light.  It does look a bit odd, because the light source used for the sketch is different than for the photo.

Tattoo assignment

This was a "line" assignment.  In black and white, it is the intent to design a tattoo for someone we know, and to explain why.  It was fun to consider what might be interesting.  The "line" that I really had in mind was an interrupted, or implied, line from the bottom of the right hand - up the arm - across the back - down the left hip - leg - and completion at the back of the left calf.  With tattoo details as part of the implied line.

Still life, with hanging items

It was a mistake not to include the ropes that were used to hold up the ladder - it really is floating uncomfortably.  I was trying to work more quickly and block in tonal areas.  It wasn't very satisfying, I still struggle with controlling the charcoal and smoothing out strokes.

Model - quick sketches

Our first model.  I loved doing these quick sketches.  The last two are actually contour drawings and took a bit longer.

Mapping, Representation and Recollection assignment

I did this with layers.  This is the first representation:

It is the simple view, my personal water cycle in a simple form following the water.  The second representation shown below has "revealed" details - my house, the water treatment plant the wastewater treatment plant.

Boxes, sheet and black plastic

Again in class, working with perspective as well as tone.  Charcoal and incomplete.  Ouch - that front box just didn't work!

Boxes, tone and perspective

Our first in class pencil drawing.  Incomplete.

Sight-sized drawing

An outdoors class assignment to practice using proportions in our drawings.  I much over estimated what I could draw in this exercise, and ended up concentrating on just one little part of the drawing.

My first post - to set the stage

There is a lovely phrase in sketching "to restate lines" meaning to redraw a line in a more desired manner, without erasing.  It often results in the beautiful loose feeling that is accomplished with sketches.  So it is with life, I think, that we might go back and "restate" something that we have seen or done in the past.  For me, it is that I always wanted to go to art school.  My children will attest to that because we have always had amazing art supply resources for their school projects.

I have been building my photography skills, and I want more.  I really feel like I need to return to some basic principles of art.  To restate my lines.  To that end, and within my limitations, I have enrolled the Visual Arts program at Thompson Rivers University.  They are very accommodating with options and timelines.

I have been encouraged by so many people who are curious about how I am doing, and what I am doing.   So I will attempt to share a bit of my journey with you.  Likely something once a week.  I will try to share with you my studio assignments, and some of the in class studio work.  I will start with a catch up of my assignments to date.