process | SIS II '17

I encourage students to take photos at all stages of their drawing. Beginning with a light gesture, to plan her composition, Emma follows with a contour line, to carve out the flesh, and then maps out the shapes of shadows, to later fill in with values. (Luckily, I had my camera ready.)

life drawing | drawing S'16

The figure was the focus for four classes. Gestures led to contours, combined with values, and then to portraiture. While there was plenty to learn in a short period of time, what emerged was each student's own expressive potential. 

Elley

Kaitlyn

Jaqui

Maria

contour | life drawing S'16

In her gesture drawings, Tricia adds a contour line. It is a standard weighted formula - more bull-nose edge than flesh. Clinically detached, the line ls more mass produced than human. 

 Tricia

With closer observation, contours now swaddle the figure with compassion. As she rotates the charcoal in her fingertips, every bump, indentation, and shadow, is a mound of human frailty - so imperfect, so plump, and so stunningly real.  

Tricia

helpful hint | drawing f'15

To show depth, remember a basic rule of perspective: What is closest to you appears larger. So, in figure drawing, begin your drawing from the body part closest to you. If it is a leg, or a foot, start from the bottom of the paper. Do not start from the top! If you do, what will likely ensue is a massive head - more caricature than reality. 

Cristina

Sana

When done well, contours show the flesh. Here Lindsey, takes a slow tour around the body, with her line, and maps out the shadows. 

lines | drawing: figure & meaning SIS II '15

In Lexie's first drawing, she only uses a heavy contour, and then in a one-minute drawing, she does not know what to do. So the first lesson is to experiment, and become familiar with the charcoal. 

The side and the tip are addressed, and with enough practice her line variations become standard. 

By the last week of class, Lexie eases up on the pressure, and shows her sensitive touch. Here values are emphasized, and contour lines play a decidedly minor role. Even the model's hand, drawn at the bottom of the paper, is so light as to not distract from the focus. 

the first week | drawing: figure & meaning SIS II '15

Intensives are just that - intense! On Monday afternoon, Rama did a 10 minute drawing and then a one minute gesture. As you can see, she never had any life drawing. Instruction started on Tuesday morning, and by Thursday afternoon a figure study was going into her portfolio.

Rama's first gesture drawing

Rama's first drawing

A gesture drawing in ink

After a class on contour and then values

continuous line contours | drawing s'15

This assignment can bring a new level of awareness. With only a split second for self-doubts, Nina's hand moves more freely. Lesson learned: Routinely, set a time limit. For Patrick, every precise detail slows his process. Lesson learned: Widen the view; survey the entire composition. Here a person's overall shape is rather simple.

Nina

Nina

Patrick

Patrick

Patrick

values | drawing f'14

In a few words: Keep the shadows simple, and play up the contours. 

Jackie

mannequin | drawing f'14

The emphasis was on adding character. A dash of zest to the blind contours, brought the clothed mannequin to life. 

Robin

Jackie

continuous line contours | life drawing f'14

Can you tell which of Max's sketches followed a lesson on contour? If you picked the one on the right - without the extra starch in the jeans and sweatshirt - you were correct. A relaxed grip on the pen helps, along with this good rule of thumb: Draw what you see, and not what your brain tries to recall.  

roundness | life drawing s'14

There are no straight lines in the human body. Here Julie navigates the flesh of the model, fluctuating the pressure of the charcoal and rotating her wrist. The contour line bends and sways, while the model holds her pose. 

By including a light source, Julie effectively molds the terrain. Note the distinct variation of shadows on a breast - like that of an egg - illustrating that the human body is anything but flat.

Julie

fast contours | drawing f'13

Drawing is not following a line on the model, it is drawing your sense of the thing.

- Robert Henri, from The Art Spirit

Taeok

Holly

Sari

Chloe

what is in a line? l life drawing f'12

Outwardly, contour lines delineate the edges of a form. But there is more to them. Contours can idealize - bestowing the gift of youth. They can be more candid, and unmask a forced smile, or expose rolls of flesh, or inform us of an ill-fitting garment. So too, they can be precise or rushed. Thus, this most elementary of lines can speak volumes about a student's own perceptions. 

Meghan

Neil

Julie

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

continuous line contours l drawing f'12

Out and about in New York City. These are just a few of the two inch tall figures from Alice's sketchbook.