Two-Dimensional Foundations, Continued, Division 1
This term, students who chose to continue in 2D Foundations had the opportunity to work more broadly and deeply to practice the skills introduced in the first trimester of the class. We began the term by looking at a blurred, abstracted black-and-white image, drawing and revising as that image came incrementally into focus. This exercise in charcoal was designed to force students to work exclusively from observation, withholding judgment about the subject of the work and what preconceived ideas they might have about what it should look like. The final in-focus slide of the image revealed an upside-down original illustration of the March Hare.
To continue the practice of observational drawing without judgment, students selected a high-quality black-and-white photo from which to work. After drafting three small squares to scale, they chose one to blow up into a larger format and reproduce in pencil. This project encouraged students to focus on composition, contrast, value, and detail.
Their final unit built on composition and detail, but transitioned to color matching and blending with pencils. After practicing recreating small squares of magazine, students chose one larger image to work from. Dividing up the photo, students found a balance between the original image and their own drawn work. By matching, layering, and shading, students worked to maintain the image from magazine to pencil edges, creating a trompe l’oeil effect.
Throughout the term, students continued their regular sketchbook practice, graduating from 2-and-20 minute drawings to 2-and-25 minute drawings of the same subject. These were always from observation, but switched to color later in the term to reflect the shift in focus in class.
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