going home | drawing Sp'20

By mid-March, in-person classes were cut short, and students finished out the semester, at home. As we transitioned to online classes, it was a unique experience to see students, in their own environments. A toddler's captivating smile garnered my attention, while home-schooled kids were ever present. Each week, I was welcomed into both cluttered and sparse bedrooms, a studio space carved from an outdoor shed, and the warm Colorado sun blanketing a backyard table. It was inevitable that drawing lessons would change with the surroundings. There was a new intimacy to the Zoom sessions, and I could clearly see that home was each student's sanctuary.

Daniela's Final Project: 

Perspective drawings, of her home in Mexico, done in ink and watercolor.

start of the semester quote

"Every artist has one central story to tell, the struggle is to tell it over and over in new ways, and to challenge it - but at the core, the story remains the same: it is the defining story about who you are." 

- Gregory Crewdson, Photographer

Grace

Grace

Grace

Grace

Grace's artist statement, SIS II '19

self-portraits | SIS II '16

Cyra
Acrylic on canvas

Ally
Graphite & color pencil on paper

Nicole
Color pencil on paper

final project | drawing S'16

As a graphic designer, this was an opportunity for the client to be yourself. With so much freedom, Moa was at a loss at where to begin. Looking for advice, she drew what brought her pleasure, and then turned her designs into a promotional piece. 

Lessons learned: Not to center everything. Ultimately, the client is buying your vision. 

final project | drawing S'16

Maria designed a party invitation for her mother and best friend - both vibrant personalities, who often dress alike. Attitude and glamour were mimicked in the loose-handed illustrations of Kenneth Paul Block. With marker, Maria moved onto tracing paper, and then experimented with gouache. When finalized in photoshop, their bubbly vibe went unchallenged among a flock of admirers. 

Lessons learned: Focus, simplicity, and incomplete contours.

sketchbooks | drawing f'15

Whether designing a room, or sketching the city, these beautiful drawings show a clear understanding of perspective.

Susan

Kyunghee

portraiture | drawing: figure & meaning SIS II '15

Aline's versatility with methods and materials.

Graphite pencil

Self-portrait with markers and color pencils

Watercolor

Markers in sketchbook

the first week | SIS I Painting '15

The class begins with drawing. After a lesson on perspective, composition, and values, notice the difference in Jimin's drawing, from the morning to the afternoon session. Her composition fills the page, and by toning the paper she is better able to understand values.  

Jimin

Oil painting starts with a similar process. A wash of color tones the canvas, and a rag, dipped in Gamsol, brings out the light, while paint straight from the tube is the darkest value.

Marisa

Learning to mix colors, keeping them clean, not overworking the brush, and slathering on the paint - like butter - is a challenge for everyone. 

Melanie

the final project | drawing s'15

Before these graphic designers experimented with gouache, colored pencil, or photoshop, the first step in their process was to draw. 

Yvonne

Alex

Julie