Diapente (Fifth)

This week was quite a bit more uneventful than the past several, as we had a short class on Tuesday, where we were looking at the musculature surrounding the Gluteus-Maximus.   Our class was given the opportunity to apply our knowledge of this muscle group to our manikins.  In addition we were to have drawn our shell drawings which are due this upcoming Thursday.  I began this drawing with a great deal of enthusiasm and was looking forward to this assignment.  Unfortunately I missed the information that was given, telling us that we were to have drawn our shells, on neutral paper, therefore I proceeded to draw my first drawing on black Stonehenge.  I generally work from dark to light, so this seemed only natural to me.  I personally feel more connected to my work when I begin in a dark color and apply pigment to the surface.  I feel that this in some way vindicates, and releases the surface.  I enjoy watching as shades and tones emerge from the surface, as if it is becoming alive with movement.  I truly tried to create a surface on my shell that would appear all at once static and fluid.  Upon completing this drawing, I learned that we were to have drawn on neutral paper.  For this reason I will submit both a black background and a light background.  I lost a great deal of my initial enthusiasm for the form when I went to transfer the image to a light background.  It is clear that my enthusiasm is lacking in the latter piece.  I will use this as a learning experience and will work to maintain a level of consistency in my drawing, whether enthusiasm is peaked or lacking.  In general this process is a great reminder of why one studies the arts