Figure study using line (A1) -Seated model in an upright chair
Those two drawings were created by Pablo Picasso. The first is Igor Stravinsky, the second one is Erik Satie. The drawings are very similar, both model were seated on the same chair. The beauty is in their seeming simplicity: he used quick, single strokes.
I like those images because using only the technique of contour line drawing – no shades, colours just simple lines – still makes me feel that both of them are complete and dimensional.
My first drawing is me, sitting on the balcony of a holiday apartman last summer. I was gonna use brush pen first because I wanted the image crisp and simple but then I decided to use Black Inktense which lately became my favourite medium. I started the very first sketch with charcoal though, just to see the difference.
Then I moved on to pen, drawing basic shapes with quick strokes representing the central axis.
Final drawing
I was a bit afraid to fill this large piece of paper with only lines, I thought there would be disturbing “empty holes” but somehow the paper was just enough for this composition. I found difficult to depict the facial expression. I tried to put the shades with not much success. Overall I think there are slight problems with proportion but I like the composition and the chosen medium worked out well, too.
Figure study using tone (A1) – Reclining model
My model wore a jumper and jeans lounging on a couch facing me from the foot end. Natural light came from the window behind his head. I used pencils/charcoal for the final drawing. On the first sketch I outlined the basic shapes.
With the first I just tried to see the shapes, the second one is more about details and composition.
Final drawing
I think the composition looks balanced and I was quite happy with the tones and foreshortening of the lower body part. But then the left arm and the head went completely wrong. I tried to erase them both and draw again differently but it was just getting worse with each attempt.
A portrait or self-portrait combining line and tone (any size)
I did not know who to choose for this assignment so I did some sketches from pictures online.
The last one was a young girl looking back over her shoulder I thought the pose was interesting to draw. I used mixed media, crayons and pencils with shades of sanguine and black.
This drawing did not take as long as two hours but when I finished I felt I could only make it worse if I worked on it more. This was more tonal drawing than line using. The pose was really interesting however the use of media or technique was not experimental at all.
Reflection
That was my favourite part in the whole course, I really did enjoy all the exercises. Also developed confidence when drawing figures. Probably that’s the reason why I am a bit disappointed that my assignment did not exactly go as I planned.
Demonstration of technical and visual skills: I feel, the composition worked well on the drawings and I was happy with the chosen medium on the first part.
Quality of outcome: Although I am not satisfied with the pieces this time I can definitely see the improvement due to various exercises.
Context and reflection: during this journey I met some really inspiring artists and in part 4 the book “Art Anatomy” from Jeno Barcsay was a great source.
LaraDraw 