What I've Learned

I think this class has really helped me a lot. I've finally gotten the hang of hatching, as well as a better grasp of drawing human figures. In addition, the few color experiments I did were helpful in aiding me to understand how color works, and how I can use it effectively. I also really enjoyed visiting the MoMA. While I do like museums, I never really have the motivation to attend any. Having to do so for class finally gave me the chance to go out and see one, and I really enjoyed being exposed to so many different pieces.

Model 6

Tried using white charcoal on black paper and I'm pretty happy with the results.

Model 5

Pieces from the sixth modelling session. I apparently drew the third one with my left hand. I'm pretty proud of that.

Progress Piece

This was the assignment for which we had to produce a video (or gif, in my case) of the progress of a piece. I didn't have anything particular in mind for this, I just wanted to make something colorful, since I thought that might be more interesting to watch.

Model 4

I was really happy to catch the last few quick poses during this modelling session because it's always been something I've wanted to do. For the long poses, I experimented with color. I'm still trying to figure out how colors work, and working with soft pastels in the bottom picture was really helpful in learning how to use them.

Model 3

The drawings from this particular session seem a bit better with regard to shading, likely because I was just using graphite rather than charcoal, so I was more in my comfort zone. I'm especially proud of the top drawing.

Perspective

Linear Perspective

The paintings above, by Masaccio and da Vinci respectively, both illustrate examples of linear perspective. It is apparent in the Massacio piece by the shrinking of the trees, and in the da Vinci painting, by the distortion of the panels on the walls.

Atmospheric Perspective

Above are pieces by Sidney Richard Percy and Salvadore Dali. Both exhibit atmospheric perspective because the backgrounds have low contrast with the foregrounds.

Color Perspective

The above paintings, by Monet and Cezanne, are examples of color perspective. The colors of both grow less saturated the further back the painting goes.

Separation of Planes

The above paintings, by Boticelli and Giotto, exhibit separation of plans because there are two distinct lines of foreground and background in the paintings. In Boticelli's "The Birth of Venus", these are Venus and the surrounding figures as well as the far horizon. In Giotto's "Lamentation", the foreground is indicated by the people in front, and the background is the silhouette of the mountains. The angels can even indicate a third plane, since they seem to be between the fore and backgrounds.

Model 2

My drawings weren't quite as good during this session as they were in the first. I think this may have been because I was drawing much larger pieces, so I was less aware of the space I was working in. Still, I'm glad I was able to challenge myself, and I'll be more aware of myself next time I use a larger scale.

Perspective Drawing

The top image was meant to be a warm up, since I missed the first hour of drawing. The second, I planned for some sort of ethereal, floating oasis that somehow ended up as a sci-fi slum. However, I'm fairly happy with it. Environments are not my strong suit, so I was glad to get a chance to practice one.

Model 1

I was really excited to draw a live model for the first time. It's something that I've known that I've needed to do, but unfortunately have never had the opportunity to do. On a whim, I grabbed a blue pencil to add an additional midtone to my drawings, and I think the effect came out really well.

Portrait

Here I've again got the issue of slight issues in proportion. The photo itself is a bit more off than the drawing, however, since I didn't shoot it at a great angle, but the actual piece does have a few issues that I'm not happy with. I am, however, pleased with how Frankie's hair came out, which was a bit of a happy accident.

Still Life

This was my first still life drawing in a very long time, as well as being my first time using charcoal in a while. It was my first time using grey paper and white charcoal, and I really liked the depth it added to my drawing. This is, unfortunately, the first of many pieces that look good but are slightly off in proportions, since I have a bad habit of getting too far before I realize anything is off.