Student work from Spring 2007 semester

Jason Adams, Untitled, about 16X20, oil, wax and sand on prepared watercolor paper

Project: Drawing II, response to lecture and demo on a technique I use personally. Students gessoed 140lb watercolor paper, then applied two coats of satin polyurethane. Once dry, Jason mixed oil paint, wax, and sand and applied it to the paper and allowed it to "set" for several days. Using wooden clay tools, palette knives, and whatever else he could get his hands on he scraped and tinted the resulting image. You can see some of my attempts at this technique at my website http://www.carolynwhitman.com/ .

Student work from Spring 2007 semester

Katrina Kelly, Self-Portrait, about 16x20", colored pencil (glazing technique)

Project: Intro to colored pencils...students were asked to do a self-portrait (no mug shot self portraits, please!) They created a monochromatic underdrawing in sepia or gray, then glazed over it using a limited palette. Yes, they were allowed to use reference photos.
Why it's on the blog: Very well done, especially for a first exploration into colored pencils. I like the emotion and the double portrait with her dog---fun idea.

Art supply sale at A & C

Just an FYI for anyone looking for good deals on art supplies: Artist's and Craftsman on Elizabeth Ave. in Charlotte is going out of business :-( and everything in the store is on sale. I was there about a week ago and there was still quite a bit of stock on the shelves. I believe the store will close by the end of August....sad to see them go.

Models needed in the Charlotte area

If you live in the Charlotte area and want to model for a life drawing class, please contact me at carol.whitman@cpcc.edu . The class meets Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 to 3:20 beginning mid August. I will also be organizing a open drawing lab on Fridays----$5.00 to enter, with all proceeds going to the model(s). The model and I will agree upon a min. amount, though I'm sure we'll have no lack of participants. Participants will be limited to 18.

Supplemental text for Figure Drawing

This book doesn't replace Drawing from Life, but can enhance the anatomy section. Keep in mind, none of these books are strictly required, but I know a number of students like to add to their library....

Anatomy for the Artist
by Sarah Simblet, Sarab Simblet

ISBN: 078948045X
Pub. Date: October 2001

Here's another supplemental text: Virtual Pose 3(be sure to choose the most recent edition--#3) includes pictures and a cd of images in 360 degrees. Very cool for those projects outside of class when you need some reference photos...keep in mind---this doesn't replace a model though!

Virtual Pose 3: The Ultimate Visual Reference Series for Drawing the Human Figure
by Mario Henri Chakkour, Missy Loewe (Photographer), Gregory Scott Wills

Hardcover ISBN: 0971401047

These are not available in the campus bookstore, though if enough folks want it, I'll be happy to make arrangements for you.

Textbook for Figure Drawing

The textbook for ART 135/235 and Figure Drawing Studio is Drawing from Life by Brown and McClean.

Drawing from Life, 3rd Edition
Clint Brown - Oregon State University
Cheryl McLean - Publisher, Jackson Creek Press
ISBN-10: 0534613535 ISBN-13: 9780534613532
272 Pages Paperbound
© 2004 Published

I've got the cover of the current edition pictured here, but you can use previous editions, just be aware that references made in class and on assignments may not stack up neatly. Usually I have a copy of all editions in the classroom, so be sure to verify info as we go along if you choose to pick up the previous edition.

The importance of being earnest

The definition of earnest according to dictionary.com:

ear·nest1 /ˈɜrnɪst/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ur-nist] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous: an earnest worker.
2. showing depth and sincerity of feeling: earnest words; an earnest entreaty.
3. seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention. –noun
4. full seriousness, as of intention or purpose: to speak in earnest.

Students often feel that only "heroic" subject matter is worthy of taking up studio time. I hear plenty of moaning and groaning about still life objects, and about drawing the same things multiple times. How you approach the subject is much more important than the subject itself. Twenty-five years into serious painting, I still work on the magic that is painting...I work on texture, lighting, creating space, making edges...all the things I talk about to beginning students. And I don't always do it with a "Big Idea" in mind....sometimes I just paint what's handy or interesting. All of this informs and shapes what you do.

Check out some of these paintings:






Van Gogh is an obvious choice---he is nothing if not earnest. Of course, he had reasons for choosing the subjects he chose, but he infuses those simple subjects with an intensity that is raw emotion.

These little paintings by Manet are often overlooked. I supposed they were intended as little studies for larger paintings, etc. There is a freshness and immediacy to them that is lovely to behold.

There is a contemporary movement about that focuses on completing a painting every day----so a number of artists work on these little paintings that are about postcard size and can be completed in one sitting. I often do this with leftover paint on my palette---particularly if I'm working in acrylic. I keep these little wooden flowers in my studio---my mom gave them to me---they were whittled by a friend from home. It's a little 5x7" canvas panel. One thing I have noticed about doing these is that it's good for me to do a little detail work sometimes---I tend to use big brushes and not focus on details. So, some of these force me to stretch a little in a different direction.

There are a number of artist doing this painting a day process, but I want to mention only a couple. Duane Keiser originated the idea and posts the images on his blog. Postcards from Provence is another example of the concept.

Take a look, learn and enjoy!

Student work from Spring 2007 semester

The following images are from my Drawing I and Drawing II classes:



From Drawing II
medium: pastel on black paper
size: approx. 22x30"
project: using multiple reference photographs "properly"
artist: Christy Kirk
Why it's on the blog: it's quirky and exuberant---like Christy



From Drawing II
medium: nu-pastels and gesso on white paper
size: about 22x30"
project: intro to pastels and color; students chose or created their own still lifes to draw...the main goal was simply to explore the media.
artist: Jason Adams

Why it's on the blog: Exploring new media can be frustrating, challenging and can end in disaster. Jason has the ability to use materials to make mundane (in this case, left over chinese food) into interesting compositions by focusing on the abstraction of color and mark making. Also, for some reason this reminds me of Lee Krasner's work....


From Drawing I
medium: charcoal on white sulfite paper
size: 18x24"
project: focusing on edges and using value to create edges rather than line.
artist: Reuben Bloom
Why it's on the blog: He admits he's probably not finished with it, but the drawing has a lovely presence. The edges are beautifully done--it's nice to see a Drawing I student so conscious of this quality.

Here's the plan....

This blog is for student info; to post student work, etc. I will post info I hand out in class (that isn't copyright sensitive). Students (and visitors), please return often for updates. I plan to update a couple of times a week; perhaps more as the Fall semester gets into full swing. I do encourage you to make comments, etc.