Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

Today in class, we learned about organic shapes. They don’t have much use of straight or even lines; they echo the contour of nature. We were each given a different bone and instructed to draw 3-4 18x24 inch sketches of it from various angles. John then came around and talked with each of us about which sketch was our best. After selecting our best sketch of the bone, we then had to transfer it onto 3x5 ft. sheets of paper on the wall. We were to get the basic structure down on the wall by viewing out sketch, but then refer back to our bone to add in the details.

I thought this was the most fun assignment we’ve had all semester. Again, it was intimidating at first, because it seemed really difficult. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I’ve learned in this class that I have to be confident. Once I believe I can draw it, it’s easy. Certain assignments take me longer and sometimes I have to erase many times, but I wouldn’t be in this class if I was already good at everything. This assignment helped me learn how to loosen up with my drawing; I tend to be very controlled and often push too hard with my medium. But I had to use my whole arm/body in order to transfer my sketch onto the bigger sheet of paper. This assignment definitely took me the longest compared to all of the others, but I feel like I got more out of it because it took more interaction than just standing next to my drawing pad to complete.

-Kelsey Strong, USD Drawing I Student

Large Scale Organic Shape, 10-7-09

Photos: Kelsey Strong

Large Scale Organic Shape, 10-7-09

Photos: Kelsey Strong

Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

Today in class we learned about geometric shapes, planes, and lines. We learned how to view our subject not as one piece but instead as separate planes/shapes united together in that one piece. By seeing all the different parts of our subject we can understand and draw it more completely. To practice this, we divided into two groups and gathered around microscopes. Each of us drew the microscope from a different angle using sight measuring and semi-transparent construction. This exercise taught us about angles and how to use structural [/diagrammatic] lines.

When I heard we were going to be drawing microscopes in class that day, I was pretty intimidated. I thought I would never be able to draw such a complex object. But after learning how to break it up into separate shapes and planes, it actually wasn’t that bad. John explained that lines running parallel, and also those running in the same direction, in the object are going to have the same angle measurement. Thinking of it like that made it easier for me to understand and measure it out. I think I still struggle some with getting angles right, but this was really good practice. I really like that we get to have demonstrations of our assignments in class, because it makes it less intimidating when it comes time for me to go and do it on my own.

-Kelsey Strong, USD Drawing I Student

Diagrammatic/Structural Line, 10-5-09

Photos: Kelsey Strong

Diagrammatic/Structural Line, 10-5-09

Photos: Kelsey Strong

9-28-09 and 9-30-09 by Catherine Ashbach

This week in class we worked on implementing cross contour drawings. The goal of this exercise was to define shape and mass through contour lines. By focusing on the contour lines it teaches us not to focus on outside edges for drawing and gives the drawings more dimensions. We also worked on drawing cylinders. By using a measuring stick and outline boxes to improve our cylinders it helped to turn our drawings from flat surfaces to three dimensional objects.

We also changed the nature of our classroom critiques.This was done by having each classmate both ask and answer a question about our finished assignments. This has helped our class by not only giving each student more feedback on their individual work, but also forcing each student to focus more on what is going on in the class.

-Catherine Ashbach, USD Drawing I Student