Tips for your Animated Drawing

Tips for your Animated Drawing

General Tips

1.     Read this sheet and the assignment sheet you received in class on Tuesday thoroughly. Then read them again.

2.     Keep in mind that you are creating an animation; showing movement is part of the goal of this piece.

3.     Email me with any questions you have.

4.     Email me your first photo for feedback.

5.     Seriously, read the assignment sheet.

Setting up your still-life

1.     Use Dramatic Lighting

2.     Use objects that are similar to each other, but not identical.

3.     When you are ready to move your objects, light, or point of view, do so in small increments so that in the final animation we will have a sense of movement. (Big changes will feel like a new drawing.)

4.     If you would like to control the environment your objects are in so that you have the same background in class as you had at home, use a box and a clamplight and bring it with you to class. (Visual examples on following page. Also, see this link: http://lindahuntstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-post.html )

Drawing

1.     Your drawings must be made from observation. The quality of your observational drawing will be a large part of your grade for this piece.

2.     Each new layer of drawing will be competing with the erased marks, therefore it is wise to use high contrast in your drawings.

3.     Be sure that your drawing goes all of the way to the edges of the paper. (Your paper should be 22”x30”; you may create a one inch border.)

4.     You should consider this a value drawing, not a line drawing.

Taking photos

1.     Be sure all edges of your drawing and corresponding edges of the picture frame are parallel.

2.     Be sure there are no shadows cast on your drawing as you photograph it.

3.     Be sure that the lighting is even on the entire drawing.

4.     Look closely at each photo before you move on to make sure the photo is perfect.

5.     Take multiple photos until you get it right.

Final Assignment

Kentridge Project – Animated Drawing

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week will be used as practice for the final project, which asks you to emulate William Kentridge’s animated drawings.

During these class sessions we will work from a still life for one hour.

At the end of the hour you will photograph your drawing. (The photographs of your drawings should have even lighting, be square to the frame, and be cropped to show only the drawing.)

We will then change the still life set up slightly. Working on the same drawing, you will alter it to show the new arrangement of the still life.

Keep in mind that the drawings do not have to be erased entirely, even in the places it has changed. Part of the power of Kentridge’s films are the traces left behind. Those traces speak to the lingering impact of events on an individual, a relationship, or a nation. This is part of why Kentridge only uses one piece of paper for an entire scene, rather than one for each frame.

Final Assignment

On a 22”x30” piece of cotton rag paper, create a still life drawing using 1-3 objects. You may use vine charcoal, compressed charcoal, and/or conte crayon. You may use colored conte and shades of gray, but if you do so please do so with an emotive intent, please use it sparingly, and please use black as the dominant color.

When the drawing is complete take a photo.

The photographs of your drawings should have even lighting, be square to the frame, and be cropped to show only the drawing.

Once you have a satisfactory photo, move your objects or your perspective on the objects to create a similar, but changed still life set up. Then begin changing your completed drawing to reflect the new still life. (You could also change the lighting, or your distance from the objects.)

Repeat this process at home until you have at least 5 photos of the changing drawing.

You may use some imaginative elements in your drawing, however, your grade will be based primarily on your ability to show me what you have learned about proportion, mark making, line, and value. Please do not get lost in the freedom of this assignment.

On Tuesday June 24

Bring your drawing and your still life objects to class, as well as your drawing materials.

In class we will combine groups of objects into two or three in-class still life set ups, and we will repeat the process you began at home. The set ups will be changed around 7:30pm by the group of students working from each set up. We will continue to work this way on Wednesday the 25^th.  *If you have an idea that would be difficult to execute in a still life that includes other people’s objects, let me know. We can figure out a way for you to work from your own set up in class.

Due Date and Critique, Thursday June 26^th

Your final animation must have a minimum of 8 photos of your drawing. For the final critique you will present both the resulting drawing and the 8+ digital images. Please get the images to me via email, a thumb drive, or disc, at the beginning of our last class.

How To Photograph your Drawings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpj28da03JQ

Value and Works on Toned Paper

String Drawing website

http://www.visualnews.com/2011/10/07/beautiful-drawings-made-with-string/

String Drawing Assignment

String Drawing Assignment

Due Tuesday June 3rd

Step 1: Create an 8”x10” drawing using sensitive contour lines. (in class)

Step 2: Use the grid method to enlarge your drawing and transfer it to the foam board. Keep the drawing on the foam board extremely light so that it does not distract from your final string drawing.

Step 3: Begin inserting pins into the foam board along the lines you have drawn. Tie your string to one of your pins and begin threading it from pin to pin. This should be done in sections to keep it manageable.

Please keep in mind that this will be a time consuming project and may require some trouble shooting to ensure your pins stay vertical. You are welcome to use glue if necessary. I recommend that you begin this project as soon as possible so that you have enough time to work out the physical subtleties of the pins, board, and string. In order to be granted a re-do on this assignment you must have it finished on time.

You will be graded based on the following:

An ability to accurately observe and translate the still-life.

An ability to use sensitive contour lines.

Quality craftsmanship.

Sensitive Line Examples

“Sensitive line is able to register minute changes or differences found along contours or edges. Sensitive line is responsive to both subtle and not so subtle activity found along contours or edges. Sensitive line has the power to convey a strong sense of volume, mass, form, weight, dimensionality, and space and can also convey a strong sense of feeling.”

Weight, Value, and Texture are the main ways you can adjust your marks.

Weight speaks to how wide, dense, or hard a mark is.

Value refers to how dark or light a mark is.

Texture refers to how smooth or choppy a mark is.

Syllabus

Basic Drawing

Merrimack College

Summer 2014

T/W/TH 6 – 910, May 19 to June 26, 2014

Instructor: Michele Lauriat, michelelauriat@gmail.com

Course Description: An approach to drawing through studio experience. Observation is emphasized through a series of exercises involving figure and still-life drawing, primarily concentrating on line, mark, and value.

Course Goals:

1. To be able to visually record what one sees and at the same time sort out and re-­‐

interpret the image so that it is a personal and sensitive statement.

2. The practice and discovery of a variety of drawing materials, implements,

techniques, and papers. 

3. To learn how to see form, how to analyze and re-­‐interpret the basic structure, and how to represent this form on a 2-­‐dimensional surface in a well composed manner.

Class meetings:  Scheduled class meetings will include project assignments, discussion, slide lectures, demonstrations, and regular group critiques. The scheduled class hours are not sufficient for the completion of projects, students must put in several additional hours per week working independently. Students will be asked to talk about their work, and their peers’ work, during group critiques.

Attendance: Attendance at all classes is required. Each class missed beyond three  absences will result in the lowering of the grade by one third of a point (e.g. an earned B would be changed to a B-)

Materials:  Students are responsible for having their own drawing supplies and coming to class prepared.

Grading: Student work is graded quantitatively and qualitatively. All assignments must be completed to pass the course. Multiple solutions to the assignments can contribute to a higher grade, especially when additional versions of assigned projects incorporate ideas developed in critiques. (In other words, you may re-do any assignment).

You will have 5 assignments to complete this semester. The weight of each assignment increases as the semester goes on. The first assignment is worth 10% of your final grade, the second 15%, the third 20%, the fourth 25%, and the fifth is worth 30%. Your hard work in class will prepare you to succeed in these out of class assignments.

Disability Accommodations

If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact:
Elaine DiVincenzo, ADA Academic Coordinator via email Elaine.DiVincenzo@merrimack.edu or by telephone 978-837-5140.  The ADA Office is located on the 3rd floor of the McQuade Library in the Center for Academic Enrichment. The ADA Office is responsible for coordinating disability related accommodations and will issue Accommodation Letters & Plans to students with documented disabilities.

Week 1

Tuesday:

Syllabus and supply review.

Proportion and ratio studies.

Homework: Read Sight Lining Handout and Create a View Finder

Wednesday:

Plotting the 3D in the 2D using a view finder, measuring stick, and angles.

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, ruler, and viewfinder.

Thursday:

Perspective lesson. More plotting.

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, ruler, and viewfinder.

Homework:

Read sensitive line handout.

Make four drawings in your sketchbook that begin with plotting and incorporate sensitive line. These drawings should take up the full page of your sketchbook and should each be done on their own sheet of paper. (In other words, please do not draw on the back of your drawing).

Week 2

Tuesday:

Slide Lecture

Blind Contour Drawing

Gesture Drawing

Sensitive Line Drawing

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Sensitive Line Drawing

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Sensitive Line Drawing

String Drawing

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, viewfinder, ruler, Foam core, Common Pins, and string or thread.

Homework: Complete String Drawing

Week 3

Tuesday:

Mark Making

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Open Shape Drawing

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Value drawing.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Homework:

One Master Copy from provided images. This can be done on whatever paper you like, minimum size 11”x14”.

Create one open shape drawing on Canson Drawing Paper, minimum 16”x20”.

Week 4

Tuesday:

Value drawing using white conte on black paper.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, your mi tientes paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Value drawing using white and black conte on toned paper.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, your mi tientes paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Value drawing using white and black conte on toned paper.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, your mi tientes paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Homework:

Create a drawing using your white and black conte on toned paper, minimum 16”x20”.

Week 5

Tuesday:

William Kentridge Videos

Mini Kentridge exercise.

Discussion about photographing student drawings and photoshop.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Begin final project on RAG PAPER

Please bring your large newsprint pad, drawing board, Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Any student contributions to the still life must be made today!

Thursday:

Continuation of final project

Please bring your large newsprint pad, drawing board, Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Homework:  

Add an imaginative element to your Kentridge drawing. Remember to photograph it if you make more than one change.

Week 6

Tuesday:

Continuation of final project

Please bring your drawing board, your Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Continuation of final project

Please bring your drawing board, your Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Critique

Please bring your finished drawing as well as a disc or thumb drive with your photos.

Supplies for Basic Drawing

Supplies

·      18”x24” or 16”x20” pad of newsprint (50+ sheets, rough or smooth) http://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-300-series-newsprint-pads/

·      11”x14” wire bound sketchbook (25+ sheets) If you cannot get this exact size, please get something BIGGER.

·      Pencils – Most drawing can be done with s 2B pencil. Those of you who like things neat and orderly may like the harder pencils: HB, 2H, or 3H. Those of you who like things a bit bold might like the softer pencils: 3B, 4B,… 8B. 

·      Eraser

·      Black and white conte crayons http://www.dickblick.com/products/conte-crayons/

·      Vine charcoal (Any variety)  http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-charcoal/

·      Mi-teintes paper, 1-2 sheets black, 5-7 sheets neutral color http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-mi-teintes-drawing-papers/

·      2 – 3 sheets of Canson Edition Paper, 22”x30”, or similar drawing paper. http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-edition-papers/

·      2 – 3 sheets of at least 60lb 100% cotton rag paper 22”x30”. http://www.dickblick.com/items/10423-1002/

·      Art tape or blue painter’s tape http://www.dickblick.com/products/artist-tape/

·      Ruler, 18 inches

·      Drawing Board, 24”x26”  http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-sketch-pad-boards/
 

·      18”x24” sheet of Foamboard or Foam Core, ½” to 1” thick

·      one package common pins

·      string

OPTIONAL - Table Top Easel  http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-tabletop-sketchbox-easel/