ASSIGNMENT 1 – PART 1: EXPLORING COMPOSITIONS

The aim of this assignment is to use experimentally and creatively one or more of the methods used in the previous projects (scale,cropping, selection,flexibility and judgement) and make a drawing or a series of drawings that are intriguing and engaging compositions.

When I was in Paris I took some pictures including only one side of my face in the photo. This ideas came out while experimenting while taking pictures and at the same time I thought to take more pictures like this and that I could use this idea as an art project at some point.

When I was thinking about the subject of my assignment I decided to use those photographs in a similar way I used other photographs in Project 1 of this assignment.(https://drawing2blog.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/exploring-composition/)

The idea was to attach the photo on the paper and use different media to explore compositions with extending parts of the photograph on the paper.

Before starting to explore the compositions I did a few drawings of the photographs in my sketchbook. (see below)

A5 sketchbook. pencil – pen

Then on a bigger scale I attached one of the photographs on an A3 size paper and experimented on creating a composition.

I tried to make the drawing interesting and balanced. The perspective created by the extended lines catches the viewers eye into the painting. I think every part of the composition plays a role for the whole picture. The left white area is equally important as the tonally worked areas.

I continued with other explorations of the same subject in order to explore variations of the same subject in A4 size paper to also explore scale matters.

The above drawing I also think is a successful composition that catches the viewers eye. It has movement. The two figures placed on a different level give the sense of a time lapse.

Another drawing, this time with the intention to make the portrait the central focus point of the drawing. What I like about this drawing is that the pen drawn part stands out and catches the eye more than the photograph. This is because of the bold pen lines in contrast to the white of the paper.

Finally, I made another drawing for these series with the intention to work more elements and use my judgement on what to include and how to combine different media. I tried to let myself to experiment more even though there was a big possibility for the drawing to be messed up at the end.

However I managed to balance the composition and I believe the drawing stands well.

Also I am happy that the drawings also imply an expressive element.

 

 

Project 4: The human form, Part 1

Aim

The aim of this project is to make a draw a composition of limbs to make an interesting statement taking use of the elements of the human form, which are rhythm, weight, volume and structure.

Method & Reflection

I started drawing the feet firstly attempting to find a pose that I like.

I decided to go on with the following pose, because I liked the way the feet are connected and create those curves in the middle. I tried to explore line and tone and how I could build up the volume, while trying to make the feet look correct in a ”realistic” way.

I experimented with charcoal, pencil, pen and ink.

For a final drawing I decided to limit my medium to ink and pencil in order to be able to present clearly the way the feet are connected to one another by including only what I thought was necessary. I thought ink was suitable because I could build up tone and with a fine  brush I could define the lines that I wanted to emphasize to give a curvatture on the composition.

This is a project that could be endlessly explored. However at this stage I was able to practice at drawing feet which I think is one of the most difficult subjects to be depicted conveniently. I had the opportunity to practice on how to draw feet with a triple purpose: to draw the feet correctly in terms of  ”realistic” depiction, build up a composition that is balanced and well placed on the paper and to find a way to do this in a creative way and not just trying to make a detailed academic drawing.

I believe that I was able to do this up to a point, but I was definitely restricted by my endeavor to make the feet look correct as a portraiture of feet.

However, I think my drawings capture the viewers gaze and they have an extra dimension to what could otherwise be a technical or academic exercise. this is also achieved by the fact that I worked quickly, which I think retains gives an expressive effect to the drawings. Also, I think I managed to retain the tension in the limbs and I think they do not look floppy and directionless.

 

Project 3: Changing the scale, Part 1

Aim

The aim of this project is to create a powerful composition which suggests monumental landscape or architecture, by scaling up in drawing a set up of small objects.

Method & Reflection

I chose to use a handful of small pebbles and a sprig of dried lavender. Ι placed the white pebbles on a black base in order to have a contrast.

I started with a small pencil drawing of my subject in my A5 sketchbook.

I continued scaling up in a bigger A4 paper with pencil again. I continued on an even bigger paper A3 in order to help me in the scaling process, this time using charcoal to be able to make bigger marks again to assist the scaling process.

Finally I moved to even bigger paper and  aimed at making the drawing more abstract leaving the objects ambiguous. More dynamic marks helped me retain energy in the drawing.

The process of scaling up gave me the potential to take decisions that reflect on the final composition. for example the size of paper and the selection of the appropriate medium.

The construction of the composition was a creative process and was an escalated procedure from selecting the objects and moving from one drawing to the next one and the final drawing which of course could also lead to more and more compositions.

I realize that any object or subject could act as a starting point or a as assisting element to creating different compositions. As soon as I have an idea of what I want to draw I understand how I can use several methods such as scaling up to assist me put my idea on paper.

Project 2: Using space – Part 1 Exploring Compositions

Comparing Elizabeth Blackadder and Matisse

I think Blackadder’s work retains a simplicity and clarity while Matisse’s work is more complicated and slinky. When I see a work of Blackadder I feel like everything the artist meant to convey is clearly there to be observed. When I see a painting of Matisse IO have the tendency to look deeper like the artists want;s to take me somewhere inside the painting to discover something more. When I see a painting of Blackadder I get a sense of calmness while I get a sense of intrigue while observing a work of Matisee.

However in terms of how they use space they have in common that they use space in very creative and unique way. Their works go further than portraying objects in an environment. They are not limited by the elements of background and foreground and how to connect those two elements well to make a good composition. They go far beyond that and create images that they are a new environment.

Matisse-Project 2: Using Space,Part 1

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mati/hd_mati.htm

Matisse. One of my favourites! I am so glad I had the opportunity to see his work in Pompidou Centre in Paris  which I visited during my holidays on 2/1/2017.

What I like the most about Matisse is his curvature of his lines and shapes that are still discrete in his cutouts. The shapes and colours and patterns seem to have a secret language to intercommunicate. This language surely speaks to me as well!

Elizabeth Blackadder Project2: Using Space, Part 1

Elizabeth Blackadder in the studio

Notes:

• how life circumstances affect artists inspirations
• painters do connect
• excitement-stimulation-nourishment from the environment
• Japanese watercolours

Elizabeth Blackadder creates compositions from observed objects, but she does not just paint still lives of objects on their environment by transferring it on paper. I think she takes the objects and place them in creative compositions on her own environment which is the painting area of the paper or canvas. As I see it the canvas is the environment where she puts objects in her own order.

I also looked at her work at http://www.scottish-gallery.co.uk/artist/elizabeth_blackadder

My retrospection on her work:

I think in her work , she shows in a very playful way, yet simple compositions, things that are just what they are. She clearly presents mostly humble objects or living things openly, just enjoying what composition she can make using her objects/subjects as elements of that composition revealing their pure beauty.

Project 2:Using space, Part 1

Aim

The aim of the project is to experiment on creating compositions using space creatively and not just separating subject/objects as foreground and background.

Method

I put on a magnetic board a bright yellow gift bag and placed on it colorful post-it papers and a red cloth. As they are placed all at the same level it makes it easier not to separate composition in elements of foreground and background.

My first drawing is a composition of shaped flat coloured areas.

 

I experimented then with another composition. As suggested in the coursebook I put a smaller paper on top of a bigger one.

I draw as if it was one sheet of paper to make a line drawing of my composition. Then I focused on the composition created on the smaller attached paper and worked that in more detail as if this was my drawing and can stand on its own if I remove it from the base paper. Finally I added some colour on the base paper drawing and I think the composition works as it is. As the attached paper stands out it also creates a three dimensional aspect on the drawing.

For the following drawing I aimed at creating a composition of shapes and colours that could convey a movement through the position of the shapes, which is one element that I observed in the previous drawing.

It is so impressive how one drawing leads to the next one, which is what makes a series of drawings interconnected.

I continued with a drawing inspired by Elizabeth Blackadder’s approach, where there is not actually background and foreground. All parts of the drawing should have equal weight for the composition. I don’t think I succeeded as the surrounding area could be perceived as background as the bright objects stand out as foreground.

I moved on to another composition having in mind Matisse’s work. I tried to focus and include curved and circular movement. Also the bright colours is a Matisses’s element. I think this time the composition of my drawing uses space better. Every part of the drawing is of the same importance for the composition. It does not have a background as a secondary part of the drawing.