Rock Shape Composition

Round rock shape used in drawing 3. 

 Pointed rock shape used in a preparatory sketch.

Square rock shape used in drawing 4.  

The composition of each drawing calls for making decisions as well. I wanted the drawings in the series to have a balance of optimistic and pessimistic views. In some of the drawings, the figure is 'winning' against the rock. She is pushing the rock up and off the top of the page. In other drawings the figure is being overwhelmed by the weight of the rock. I experimented with the shape of the rock in the sketches for the series. You can see that there are three rock shapes: round, pointed, and squared. I decided that the pointed rock was to pessimistic and did not include that rock shape in the larger drawings. The round rock shape I used for the optimistic drawings where the figure successfully holding the weight up. I used the squared rock shape for the pessimistic rocks that are pushing the figure down.

Exhibition Photos 2

The exhibition is completely installed now.  I want to go over some of the decisions I made while working on these drawings. 
In all my drawings I start with line. In this series I decided that each figure would be outlined using a bold exterior contour line. In each drawing, I draw the outside or exterior contour line first. Then I put in the shadow or interior contour lines. After the lines are roughed in, I start shading, adding the darks. I draw the lightest shadows first and work from light to dark. As I draw, I gradually use darker and softer pencils. I usually begin with a B pencil and end up using a 6B or 7B pencil to finish the darkest shadows. Notice I even placed line boarders around the edge of the paper.

Photos from the Exhibition

The exhibition looks great!  This photo shows one of the sketches and drawing 1.  Mike Watson did a great job hanging everything.  I decided to display the drawings like Japanese scrolls.  They are not framed, but hung by magnets on pieces of foam core board.  The look is different from the standard display.  Remember not to touch them!  The oil from your hands will damage the paper.  I was unsure if a magnet could hold the weight of the paper, but you can get very strong magnets.  The first set I ordered were so strong that I could not get them apart.  So I ordered some with less attraction power.

Exhibition is Up

The exhibition is up at the Art Institute today.  Here is the invitation above.  I chose drawing number 3 for the invitation.  In preparation for the exhibition, the creation of the marketing materials has been fun.  In the invitation I used the vertical elements of a drawing and my name in contrast with the horizontal placement of the title.  In the title I contrasted a thick, bold sans serif font with a thin, delicate serif font.  I hope you can make it by the exhibit.

Don Michael demonstrates at figure drawing class

As part of my exhibition in December of figure drawings, I took one of my classes on a series of field trips to the Charlotte Art League.  At the League my students were exposed to drawing with experienced artists.  Last week, Don Michael demonstrated a new technique for the class.  He had the students use a wound piece of paper to distance the pastel from their hands.  This caused them to make subtle, light marks.  The results were fantastic as you can see by the drawings above.  These are three students from the class, each 2nd quarter students at the Art Institute of Charlotte: Chris Ross, Chelsea Clay, and Talia Najera.