Tredecim

This week was a full week of studying, finals, drawing, etc.  Although busy, I was determined to create quality drawings, as the temptation is to just submit something for the sake of completing the objectives.  Thankfully I seldom take the easy road, for better or worse.  Interestingly the class drew the model in very rapid poses of dress and undress, attempting to capture the movement, and the various nuances of clothing as it falls on the body.  This was very helpful in gaining experience in ones observation skills.  Additionally we had another chance at a long drawing of our figure model.  I took a bit of this time to make any repairs and alterations that were necessary, to my maniken.  There were only a few major alterations that were necessary, however I did manage to complete this, and am relatively happy with the end results.  In general this was a great experience and one that I will value for a long time to come.  I spent a good bit of time working on my final shell drawing, choosing to only use black ink in multiple layers, as opposed to any colored inks or washes.  In this last shell I focused on slowing down, and simply observing the form before drawing.  This proved to be a worth while exercise in observation.  Focusing on applying many subtle layers, forced me to choose more carefully my rendering decisions.  Ultimately the week, although busy was productive and I hope that my skills will only continue to emerge.

Duodecim

This past week our class worked on developing our skill in drawing the human form from the skeletal structure of the skull.  We worked on several long drawings of the skull as well as drawings of the hand.  For the hand drawings, we partnered with another person in class to refine what we had previously learned about the bone structure of the hand.  Though the hand was difficult, each drawing that I drew eventually became better and more informed.  Of course I will need to continue to study as this is something that will take many years to master.  In addition to working on our skulls and hands, we drew the shoulders from the model.  This was somewhat helpful, but I found this challenging as my view continually was obstructed or didn't allow me the proper angle to see the clavicle, and shoulders in the manner in which I would have preferred.

Continuing to work on the shell form, I produced several long drawings, as well as another, my final pen and ink shell.  The process involved in using ink is one that I have found quite challenging.  I actually don't enjoy this process or the aesthetic quality of the ink.  Though I don't enjoy this at this stage, I will continue to practice this technique in an attempt to gain more knowledge about this medium.  Having purchased several skull models, I found that they vary quite a lot in how they are molded, therefore the shape of the skull is radically different from skull to skull.  I am very glad that I have the opportunity to thoroughly study the skull.  I look forward to the continued application of this knowledge of the skull to make better portraits, and facial drawings.  As always this week was filled with a variety of new learning opportunities.  I hope to use these experiences throughout my career as an artist, and art educator.

Undecim

This week we focused on the shoulder blades, and the clavicle.  We looked at the various methods for drawing these components of the figure prior to drawing them from our model.   Working on several long drawings I continued to develop my understanding of scale, and form.   Professor Fichter looked over our manikins and made suggestions as to how to change or fix the problem areas.I had only four small changes to make, however the additional muscles that were assigned are numerous.  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of trying to finish these by the time classes end.

On Thursday we received an extra week to complete our shell drawings, which most of the students were relieved by however this only meant that I could keep working on the shells that I had already drawn, and that I would work on the manikin again. In working on my shell drawings, I felt that my initial shell drawing was stronger than when I began to add the ink. I found the ink to be problematic.  My shell drawings began to take on painterly qualities more than drawing qualities.  

Though this week was a bit of a struggle for me to maintain focus, I am genuinely looking forward to seeing how all of this knowledge of the figure can be applied into other areas of my art making processes.  I am and will continue to study the figure from anatomy books, and from my manikin.  Finally, it is helpful to look at how other students work, and to see how they resolve certain aspects of the figure.  I tend to struggle to slow down, and my line is generally heavy, therefore I continue to work to lighten my line, and produce a more fluid form, using ideas and processes of some of the other students.  I find that I enjoy lines that have different weight, and width.  This variation brings more life to the drawing, and makes even the contour drawings more life like.