I like this idea. Will try it with my students too.
Ronette
-----Original Message-----
From: Patty Hudak
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2011 2:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Divergent drawing exercises
This is a great exchange!
I started teaching a new course yesterday called Figure Drawing: Part by
Part. We are narrow focusing and obsessing, then broadening to wider areas
of drawing. I am taking a dialectic approach, so from very academic to
contemporary methods to copying figures from other traditions.
Yesterday we focused on the eyes.
First we copied 3 from Bargue drawings.
Then, we set up 2 rows of chairs facing each other, did blind contour
drawings staring into each others eyes. After 3 minutes, everyone rotated
one chair to the left. Then drew again. We repeated this until they had
drawn a wide number of others eyes and started to come away with
observations.
Next we rotated one row of chairs to be perpendicular, took turns drawing
partners in profile. Then mixed partners and drew again.
After this, everyone drew their own eyes in a mirror.
Finally, we copied with ink and brush from a Chinese ink painting copy book
of eyes, and looked at the work of Lea Bontecuo, which inspired some to draw
interpretations from their earlier drawings.
The other thing I am encouraging is a daily sketchbook. So, they start by
gluing in on the left hand side pages of the sketch book some quick thing to
copy, or they write something in. None of these should be too ambitious to
start, just something they can easily complete on a daily basis, and
something that they won't avoid doing. If they want to take more time, they
can repeat it. They do this on 7 pages at the beginning of the week.
Emphasize that they don't need to go in order, and that they can return to
them if they like. The idea is to establish a "habit" of drawing, which is
where they will find their own voice.
Please comment!
Patty
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