Line Drawing Objectives/Requirements

 Layering  Process (10%): As in most drawings for this figure study course Line Drawing is a layering process that starts tentatively (drawn lightly and rough with fluid line) A line drawing in early stages initially maps out subject matter (and ideas) in basic shapes (planes and other basic shapes) No detail in beginning stages of figure drawing. 


For longer poses, tentatively (lightly) map out entire composition before committing to detail or exact locations of shapes. Overall anticipate at times a messy process of restating and editing to occur during the layering process. Neatness, detail, contrasted (darker and thicker) line will strategically occur in later stages of layering process.  Generally the line drawing should be a record of thought processes  depicted through layering and primarily additive revisions. There should be very minimal use of the eraser! (Never use an erasure during very short poses and gesture drawings)

Accurate Proportion (and sometimes Perspective) (45%): Utilize measurements, and horizontal/vertical alignments when working with the figure from observation.

For the sake of proportions if possible it is most ideal to start the drawing in the center and usually from the torso area, working directly out and around from an initial shape (that is usually rectangular or square in shape such as the torso). Use initial shape (usually the torso) as a building block and as a reference for comparing proportion and choosing composition.

When working from observation as an option general  theories of perspective (vanishing points & horizon line) can be used but only at later stages of drawing.  Perspective (as an option) can sometimes be used auxiliary tool for checking accuracy of proportions, scale, etc. Whether working from observation or constructing an imaginary scene do not lock into horizon line and vanishing points until proportions are resolved.

Fluid Line and Various Line Characteristics (20%) : Fluidness and strategic use of line weight variation will bring depth of space, sense of 3 dimensional masses, character and life into the drawing. Repetition and taking the time to practice and figure out a way to enjoy the act of drawing will always improve line characteristics or qualities in any drawing process. In the early stages of the line drawing keep the line thin and light. As the drawing develops towards the later stages anticipate variations of line characteristics to include ranges from curved to angular, quick to careful line applications on the drawing surface and in some areas progressions from thin to thick lines and light to dark lines. (Let the line flow!)

Strategic Use of Detail (12%): Anticipate that progressively there will be less detail as the viewer moves back into space of the picture plane. Some forms on the model/figure and any objects or planes surrounding the figure may require various levels of detail in foreground and at times in the middleground. This is the final stage of the layering process. Make time to allow for some careful finishing touches and to strategically refine or layer over rougher areas in the work.

Mass/Volumes & Space (10%): Clear depiction in the illusion of 3 dimensional forms in space that progresses in a clear manner from foreground to background. Over lapping of forms and strategic use of detail, line variation, angles and composition will all be crucial in achieving a strong illusion of 3 dimensional mass and depth of space.

Composition (3%): Locate an interesting view with a reasonable level of difficulty that is unique and has complex interactions of shapes through out picture (including border of drawing) and choose a composition that is conducive for presenting the objectives for the assignment. In terms of composition also consider how the white space of the page works around the figure and within the negative spaces created by the figure.



Figure Line Drawings (Gesture to Long Poses)

Advanced Drawing 1   Figure Study   24 x 18 inches   colored pencil on paper  2011















Extreme Foreshortened Pose










Rendered (Shaded) Figure Drawing Objectives/Requirements

 Formal Requirements of Tonal Figure Drawing


For any assignments regarding the black and white rendering (shading) of the figure the following ideas will need to be considered; anatomical proportions, layering process, articulation of detail (and progressive lack of detail),  different levels of high and low contrast, the strategic use of hard and soft edges, grayscale, full range of mark making will be required.

Anatomical Proportions (45%):
As in the line drawing assignment proportions of the figure will be very important for assignments in the figure study course.

Layering Process (15%):
Begin the drawing with basic planes of light and shadow, gradually build up drawing thinking about the flowing ideas below. Mistakes are inevitable, consider a layering and editing process as you gradually accumulate layers on the drawing.  Consider additive and subtractive processes but do not obsessed with perfection during the early stages of the drawing.  For gesture drawing you will need to  rely on repetitive practice and instinctual processes more.

Strategic Use of Detail  (15%):
Through practice the goal is for a refined rendering style that offers a strategic use of detail and high contrast in the foreground. Ideally the drawing will progressively decrease in detail and contrast as the viewer reaches the background. Do not get overwhelmed with the need to have detail and precision in the entire drawing.

Strategic Use of High and Low Contrast (10%)
Increased contrast can assist  the edges in the foreground to appear sharper, while the edges of forms in the background begin to slightly dissolve if contrast is low.

Strategic Use of Hard and Soft Edges (10%):
Generally hard (sharply in focus) edges should be in foreground areas while edges progressively become softer (out of focus) as shapes progress to background

Full Range of Mark Making (3%):
Within the layering process of the drawing allow there to be different types of mark making where drawing strokes (and applications of drawing materials) will range from being loose, textured and expressive to controlled and smooth.

Strategic Use of Grayscale (2%):
Consider a range of grayscale in the work, particularly when there is a desire to create difference or similarity form one form to the next. This is related to strategic use of high and low contrast but focuses more on the gray tones between the extremely light and dark areas in the drawing. When using black and white materials a sensitivity of mixing black and white will be required.

The grayscale in a drawing is achieved by layering a black medium and allowing different levels of the white of the paper to come through in a drawing, OR a grayscale is achieved by mixing black and white mediums to achieve the range presented in the above grayscale. Often drawings use a combination of both methods (utilizing the white of the paper AND mixing the white with black drawing mediums together)

Creating your own grayscale for each drawing medium will assist in learning about each drawing materials characteristics, plus will allow you to practice depicting and to be more sensitized to the full range of grays in a drawing.

Keep in mind that for this course grayscale will emphasize depicting light and shadow. Generally translating colour into grayscale will not be part of the assignment requirements. 


Drawing Material Choices:

Graphite Sticks or Woodless pencils:
Strategically using a full range of graphite from 2H to 6B, and having a kneaded eraser
Note: Graphite only used early on in course and will not be options for any homework assignments or for in class assignments after class 4.

Black and White Conte:
Strategically using a full range of mixing black and white conte. With this medium layering will be required. Eraser will rarely be used but if an eraser is required a rubber eraser with offer the most success. A needed eraser will tend not be successful with conte.

Vine Charcoal:
Is easily manipulated and erased but depending on the brand of vine charcoal can be difficult to get dark areas to create strategic areas of high contrast in drawing.

As an option white chalk or conte could be strategically placed and or mixed in vine charcoal drawing.

Figures in Architectural Interior Environment

 

Figure in Sequence

 







Subtractive Drawing with the Figure

 



Homework Assignment # 1: Tonal Drawing Self-Portrait Assignment with hand

  Homework Assignment 1: Tonal Drawing Self-Portrait Assignment with hand    



Assignment Summary: 
Using a mirror and observational drawing skills students will depict themselves in a self-portrait tonal drawing which will also incorporate at least one hand. Incorporate a background and have the entire drawing present a progression of space (Progression form foreground to middle ground to background)

Size: 18 x 24 inches on white cartridge paper

Materials: Tonal Drawing on white cartridge paper (18 x 24 inches) using a choice of black charcoal pencils, and/or black & white conte sticks, or black & white oil pastels

Subject Matter Details/Requirements:
Portrait parameters are defined as depicting yourself from the collarbone to entire head.
The face should take up a minimum of 50% of the drawing page and the hand should take up a minimum 20% of the drawing page. At least 75% of the face should be unobstructed (in clear view). Potential obstructions of the face could include costume accessory, hand, etc.

The frame of the mirror could be included if it is in your field of vision when composing the requirements with in this assignment. Remember you still must have the face take up a minimum of 50% of the drawing page.

Lighting:
In order to keep the lighting consistent when developing the tonal aspects of the drawing it is strongly suggested that some sort of artificial lighting close in proximity to the face is used to create effective range of dark and light tones (effective highlights and shadows)

Process:
This assignment requires a process of observational drawing. Be prepared for a layering, editing and revising during the drawing process.



Objectives and Evaluation Criteria for Assignment (Repeat of Formal Ideas presented during class):

1) Process from Beginning to Completion of Drawing   -    Progression of Layers from Rough and Tentative Drawing  Material Applications to Strategic use and Layering of: Detail, Contrast and Rendering Control): 
Tonal drawing involves layering process that starts tentatively (drawn lightly and rough with soft edges) With this type of drawing in early stages initially map out subject matter into basic shapes of light and shadow (planes & other basic shapes) No detail should be in the beginning stages of drawing and start in the center work directly out and around from initial shape. Use initial shape as building block and reference for comparing proportion and choosing composition. 

Tentatively (and lightly) map out entire composition before committing to: detail, exact locations of shapes, levels of high contrast, thick layering of drawing mediums, and sharp edges. Anticipate editing with a combination of additive and subtractive processes in the drawing. As in previous tonal work anticipate at times a messy process of restating and editing to occur during the layering process. Remember for a rendered drawing the ultimate goal is to absorb all lines into shaded areas.

2) Range of Tones, Edges and Mark Making: 
Anticipate strategically using a full range of grayscales (dark to light tones) and range of edges (hard/sharp to soft/out of focus edges) during the entire drawing process. During the early stages of the drawing use only soft (tentative/out of focus) edges and light to middle grayscale tones to tentatively map out entire drawing. As well utilize a full range of mark making from smudged to raw marks, short to long marks, curved to angular marks, and various pressures of gentle touch to pressing heavily on the drawing surface. When investigating mark making, tones and edges keep in mind that your eraser can be a drawing tool as much as any other drawing medium. 

3) Accurate Proportion, Scale and Potential Perspective Concepts: 
Utilizing measurements, horizontal/vertical alignments and potentially even some 1pt & 2pt perspective concepts for background. When working from observation generally use the theories of perspective (vanishing points & horizon line) at later stages of drawing as a tool for checking accuracy of proportions, scale, etc. In any  assignments whether working from observation or imagination generally you should not lock into horizon line and vanishing points until proportions are resolved in background. 

4) Composition: Locate an interesting viewpoint with a reasonable level of difficulty that will have a unique and complex interaction of shapes through out picture (including border of drawing) and choose a composition that is conducive for presenting the subject matter requirements (listed above) for assignment.  Is the view of the face going to strait on and symmetrical or will the face be depicted in a 3 quarter view which is asymmetrical.  Either way how do you formally organize your shapes to create an interesting but unified composition?

5) Strategic Levels of Contrast: 
Increasing or decreasing contrast in strategically chosen areas will assist in depicting the illusion of 3 dimensional forms and the illusion of the portrait, had or foot and space. Often a subtle progression of decreased contrast (along with hard to soft edges) from foreground to background will need consideration in the final stages of the layering process to convey a convincing illusion of 3 dimensional forms and space.

6) Forms/Volumes & Space: 
Clear depiction in the illusion of 3 dimensional masses in space that progresses in a clear manner from foreground to background. Over lapping of forms and strategic use of detail, contrast, range of edges, grayscales, angles and composition will all be crucial in achieving a strong illusion of 3 dimensional mass and depth of space.

7) Strategic Use of Detail: 
Anticipate that progressively there will be less detail as the viewer moves back into the space of the picture plane. Various levels of detail will also be required on some forms or planes located in the foreground (such as the face/head and or hand) and at times in the middle ground depending on the spatial location of the subject matter. This is the final stage of the layering process. Make time to allow for some careful finishing touches and to strategically refine or layer over select rougher areas in the work. In some ways this has connections to the ranges of marking in the drawing and layering process.


Some Examples of Assignments from Previous Classes:

Note: Often a single example of work may not demonstrate all the required objectives for a particular assignment. Instead students should collectively consider: the required objectives for each assignment, the multiple examples presented on this website and during in class presentations. As well ideas discovered through a student's independent research in combination with various examples and ideas presented by instructor will ultimately be the best approach for synthesizing ideas and reaching the requirements (and unique outcome) for any particular course project.












Images and Additional Information for Assignment 1 - Examples of Tonal Self Portraits without hand

 The following examples of Tonal Self Portraits are missing some of the assignment 1 requirements and objectives (such as there are no depictions of  hands) As well some are better in addressing  assignment objectives than others. Review list of assignment objectives below and for further explanation on assignment objectives and requirements see assignment 1 information


Assignment Objectives:
1) Layering and Editing Process from Beginning to Completion of Drawing   

2) Range of Tones, Edges and Mark Making: 

3) Accurate Proportion, Scale and Potential Perspective Concepts: 

4) Composition: 

5) Strategic Levels of Contrast: 

6) Forms/Volumes & Space: 

7) Strategic Use of Detail: 




Self-Portrait Drawing Example in 3 Stages:

Stage 1 of Drawing with tentative layers and description of subject matter




Stage 2 of Drawing with further layers and increased use of contrast and detail in subject matter





Stage 3 Completion of Drawing Presenting multiple revisions/layers along with strategic use and progression of contrast, detail and sharp to soft edges in subject matter progressing from Foreground to background.




Detail of Stage 3 Completion of Drawing












Self-Portrait Drawing Example in 2 Stages:

Stage 1 
Conté Drawing





Stage 2
Conté Drawing







Other Examples of Tonal Portraiture and Self- Portaits








Detail of Previous Image



Advanced Drawing 1 Fall 2007


Advanced Drawing 1 Fall 2007




Advanced Drawing 1 Fall 2005


Advanced Drawing 1 Fall 2005             B & W  Oil Pastel


Advanced Drawing 1 Fall 2005