why so serious? l drawing f'12

After a stressful holiday season, watching late night comedy offers a much needed release. Whether these comics glorify the Jersey Shore - post Sandy, meditate over the righteousness of semi-automatic ownership, or rejoice in the end of the world, they do it with their own brand of self-deprication and audacity. 

For visual artists, their savvy voices are also keenly crafted - on napkins, scraps of paper, and in well-worn sketchbooks. Here a few of my students illustrate some of the shortcomings evident in human nature.

Aaron

Caitlyn

Tiffany

values l life drawing f'12

Isabelle applied an even layer of charcoal to the paper and used her kneaded eraser to pull out the shapes of light. Combined with the contrast of the dark hair, she effectively grabbed our attention.

Isabelle's drawing on the fifth day of class

Her first drawing

the human factor l life drawing f'12

A sense of touch is crucial component in life drawing. With the side of the charcoal, Julie molds the flesh. With line, her journey is one of discovery. And with practice, her confidence and passion now shows.

Last class

First drawing

sketchbook l drawing f'12

Texture is often a strong component in Aaron's sketches. When he integrates hatching, Aaron adds values of light and dark to his comedic reality, as well as to his daily observations.