ONE OBJECT; MANY DRAWINGS
STUDENT WORK
Research Links:
Gallery Joe, artists (good for viewing methods and materials, experimentation)
The Never Ending Drawing (good for viewing materials, application, and surfaces like cardboard)
Experimental Drawings (good for viewing materials, applications, and ideas).
OBJECTIVE:
Within this project you will experiment and explore the possibilities of traditional and non traditional methods and materials. Each student will create/develop a body of work using only one object as your subject matter. The final works will result in a large congruent body of work to be discussed during a final critique as illustrated above.
MATERIALS:
Anything goes...
Cardboard, spray paint, ink, found materials, etc.
Suggestion: Start off traditional then venture toward the unknown, untraditional.
APPROACH:
Selecting an object. When selecting an object consider more than one. You may find more possibilities in one of the two objects. Select an object that is recognizable to the masses. Also, consider choosing an object that was designed for function and not form; also known as a utilitarian form. For example, office supplies,hand and power tools, objects used in the bathroom, objects used in the kitchen, in addition, children's toys work well too. Also try to pick an object that has interesting 3-D qualities. For example, a cell phone would NOT be a good choice because it is very flat and uninteresting. Stay away from flat forms; whereas, an old camera occupies height, width, and depth (3 dimensions), and could be a practical form for this project. Your object can be small or large. Consider something that you transport easily.
1) The Beginning: begin by making a mechanical drawing of your object, also known as transparent form construction. This process will familiarize yourself with the intricate details of the form. The more you understand and know the form the better prepared you are to move forward. (this drawing should be on a half sheet of 18 x 24 inches from your drawing pad)
2) Select a small area of your mechanical drawing and applying a wide range of values (this will articulate the area and create a focal point). Start off with your H4 pencil similar to the approach you are doing in class.
3) Start another drawing
using compressed charcoal. Remember to shine a direct light source to evoke
drama through use of chiaroscuro.
Start another one using compressed charcoal, but this time introduce white
charcoal.
4) Draw the space around your object (pos neg drawing). In this drawing you can use gesso, paint, spray paint, ink, charcoal, etc. Consider how big your object will be on the image. Is it still recognizable as a silhouette? Does it become something else? Is there potential for experimentation?
5) Draw the object as a silhouette on a prepared surface. Could you use cardboard or found paper. Could you prepare the surface with gesso, spray paint, charcoal, ink, paint? Can you use the drips from the paint?
6) Draw multiple objects on one sheet. Try it again, but work faster.
7) Give yourself 30 minutes to make a drawing, give yourself 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5,1.
8) Assess your work and figure out what direction you are going. You may already have a direction. Now you can follow your path or create your path. Drawing is not only measuring, sighting, and perspective; however, these principles set the foundation toward a path of exploration and enjoyment.
9) Throughout this entire process you will show me your work so we can discuss your current progress and direction.
10) Statement of purpose (write a short paragraph stating why you chose to go in that direction and how you got there).
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
F focus on the negative shapes within the object.
Consider using the object as a vehicle to create something non-objective.
Draw the object from memory.
Make a blind contour line drawing of the object.
Draw the object with a piece of charcoal taped to a 3 foot yard stick.
Incorporate two methods in one drawing.
Incorporate three methods in one drawing.
Consider taping various paper together to create a larger sheet.
Consider size and scale.
Consider multiples.
Consider design, use of grid.
Consider speed drawings.
Consider rapid mark making.
Consider the surface (sand paper is a great tool to disrupt a surface that may lead to interesting methods)
Consider deconstructing, and reconstructing.
Consider stacking
Consider environment.
Consider invention.
consider other projects to help you invent an environment.
Consider time.
Consider the time left in the semester and the time you need to work.
Be practical and experimental.
Confidence come with constant work. As you make more drawings your will increase your speed and develop a specific method.
Grading: Five C’s
Concept:
-Idea development, preparation, and how well understood / executed the project.
Composition
-ability to utilize the drawing format
Craftsmanship
- use of media
Creativity
-Originality, problem solving, experimentation, exploration
Completion
-Does the body of work seem complete and developed/evolved?
Below are examples of one object and various drawings. These are good starting points.
