| Proportion
|
Proportion in a composition
is a difficult concept. Should it be: static, dynamic, symmetrical,
asymmetrical, Renaissance (squared Circle), or the Golden mean or
Golden rectangle?
Static - usually means
square and/or center balanced
Dynamic - usually means rectangular and anything but center balanced
Symmetrical and Asymmetrical
- are self explanatory, bilateral, quadrilateral, radial
Renaissance - usually
means a squared circle, and/or balanced
Golden Mean - refers to the proportional relationship between the:
circumference and diameter of a circle, the side and hypotenuse
of an isosceles right triangle, the proportional
relationship between the chambers of a conch shell, the fibonacci
series (1,2,3,,8,13,21,34) expressed as a ratio of 1 to 1.618.
|
Seeing
|
Once
again we visit the process of seeing well. That means:
1. Look at the set
up, [Look for the large graphic forms and decide on a composition]
2. Look again for the details you didn't see, to begin with, [Look
for the little things that make it interesting and unique.]
3. Look a third time to see how this image or collection of objects
relates to you. [In every image that interests us, there is an element
that relates to our personal philosophy, or what we try to say in
image making. It is possible to listen to your own voice and understand
it.] |
| Spatial
Drawing
|
I
used the word "chiaroscuro". An Italian term used to describe
a graded tone to represent a curved surface. It is a major element
in the search for tools to create the illusion of depth.
A partial list of the tools to create the illusion of depth:
overlap, placement
on the page, perspective, scale, focus and detail, atmospheric perspective,
mark making |
In
Class
assignments |
5
small drawings in charcoal to establish a composition. Once
the composition is chosen develop a drawing using that thumbnail
sketch. Remember the rule of thirds - one third black, one third
white and one third gray. |
Homework
Assignment |
Assignment in
the weekly sketchbook drawings:
Draw
from an x-ray (radiograph)
- establish the composition first, using thumbnail sketches, include
a dark background element to accentuate depth and the value range
of the image. Remember reflected light and the nature of the subject.
[hands and feet]
|
| Footnotes:
|
Bibliography
"The
Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing" by Anthony
Ryder
Link:
to golden rectangle sites:
Henry
Moore drawings
http://community.middlebury.edu/~harris/Humanities/TheGoldenMean.html
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/GoldenRectangle.html
A sample site
for the homework Radiographs
(x-rays)
|
| |
Links:
for class notes www.jonraderjarvis.com/classes.htm
and email contact address jrj@jonraderjarvis.com
© 2003 Jon Rader Jarvis, all rights reserved |
In-Class
Comments
Questions & Answers |
Q
- How do we know if we are doing the drawing right? There are
so many different solutions.
A
- For an instructor there is a balancing act between trying to coax
students to be accurate while they develop eye-hand coordination,
and not quashing their inherent expressive tendencies. I have tried
to show each person how to improve their drawing according to classical
values of balance, composition and structure. Every one of you has
a natural style to your image making, to how you approach composition
and how you make marks on the page. By the end of the class every
one of you will be able to recognize the work of every student in
this class without a signature. That means that you will have that
many examples of how to solve problems, and that many examples of
solutions. Doing the drawing "Right" means matching your
skills to your vision, not to some imposed view.
Q
- Are we supposed to erase lines that are wrong?
A
- You will see in master drawings corrections that are partially
erased. Sometimes an arm or leg is moved five or six times before
the final correction. These partially erased lines contribute to
the composition and interest of the drawing. We see these as examples
of process, left in the work. Today that is a very popular aspect
to drawing and painting - showing process. In the drawing "Wrong"
sometimes makes a big contribution to finish. |
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