Drawing f '11 | Composition

Shoes tell a story. Much like the people who wear them, they show a sturdiness of character, combined with years of wear. In a class on composition, shoes are employed as actors. Now, imagine that a drawing is a single frame in a movie. Keep it simple. We are not filming the entire movie, on one sheet of paper. Who is the focus ? Would it be a spiked-heel Angelina Jolie or patent leather Brad Pitt? How about camera angles? Up close or panning back? And who is the lighting director? In class, it is me, whereas at home, the student has total directorial freedom. 

Mary Claire set up a Mexican standoff. I can just hear the dialogue!

Just to get a good camera angle, Camila sat on the floor. With perspective, the sandal feels more distant because of the size difference. There exists a relationship (or maybe, a recent breakup.) More contrast in values is needed.

Hannah played with camera angles in both class and at home. In her second composition, the whole page was considered.  Cropping added to the drama. Was this a friendship gone sour? A lover's spat? The fainting diva could have been a tad smaller (to show some distance.)

Cortny tried two variations, and also included cropping. Though the second drawing was more fully realized, the top sandal looks to be a size 11. Foreshortening is called for here.

Melissa created a soft, caring relationship between these shoes. So where are they? There is quite a bit of white space surrounding these lovebirds. A light-handed environment would add to the storyline, and a darker value would show some contrast between them. As in life, how realistic would it be for these couples to be so harmoniously--gray? 

 Tippi maps out some dramatic cast shadows, found in a film noir. While the diagonal works, the moccasin needs to be on equal footing 

Erin creates a strong diagonal with a challenging angle--the underside of the boot is beautifully rendered. Again, there needs to be more variation in values. 

The pattern, on Rhonda's rain boot, plays a secondary role to the block-like structure of the boot. This is the same when an actress wears a printed dress. Do you want to notice the dress or her? Show the curves. Keep the pattern to a minimum.