“Contour Drawing”
Observational drawing is the basis for all drawing, it is a discipline in focus, patience and seeing. Students are asked to look carefully at natural plant forms and other objects for their grace, peculiar shapes and details, and to sketch directly from that observation. As we continued this practice for several weeks, the class also created many contour drawings and gesture drawings. Eventually students were asked to create an ink drawing with a beautiful line quality, framing the subject in order to create an asymmetrical composition with interesting negative space.
“Abstraction in Oil Pastel”
These spectacular “Abstraction in Oil Pastel” drawings combine lessons in color theory and focal point. We began this project with a PowerPoint presentation showing paintings from art history that incorporate a strong focal point, an important element that reinforces the content of the painting. The abstract composition was to locate the focal point using the “golden ratio.” The abstractions should also have a secondary focal point and use visual mapping to guide the eye as it wanders throughout the composition. This is accomplished through repeating elements, such as color, shape, texture and pattern. Finally, students were expected to be expressive with the handling of oil pastel media, making it an integral part of their finished drawings.
“Portfolio Cover Design: A Collage Lesson in 2-D Design”
The Portfolio Cover Design is a lesson in 2-D design and collage. The design requires a knowledge of different patterns, understanding the elements of balance, symmetry and repetition. Students’ also create a quick collage based on either geometric-abstraction (Minimal Art) or a collage inspired by the paper cut-outs made by Henri Matisse. To complete this quick study, students have to think about pattern, layering information, composition and color.
“Window Observation”
The “Window Observation” drawing project is comprised of several different drawings looking through the same window. The window frame is a compositional devise to add structure and possible content to the drawings. By taking a tour of their homes, studying the view from their favorite window, I asked students to consider the following: what do you notice, what shapes do you see, how do these shapes intersect, and what will be important to your composition? These drawings were practical applications of previously learned concepts such as focal point, color theory and point of view.