DRAWING CLASSES: HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #2: Still Life Contour Drawing

Following our exploration of contour line in class, your next homework assignment will be to continue your use of the contour line, as a slow, careful method of detailed observation.

1) Choose four objects-- two manufactured or man-made (of metal, wood, glass, plastic) and two that are organic or from nature (flowers, fruits, vegetables). These objects should sustain a great deal of interest and attention by having some structural complexity with a great deal of surface detail/changes. In other words, avoid objects that are simple in their construction and "easy to draw."

2) Arrange these objects in a way that will lead to a dynamic composition (as we have been discussing in class), and make four, gestural thumbnail studies to plan out the best use of compositional space as well as the best view of your subject. Remember to make full use of the space of your paper. Avoid "squeezing" the subject into the space, and consider only reasonable places to crop or cut off small areas of the subject. Remember also to "ground" your subject-- that is, rather than displaying objects that are floating in space, include a portion of the table or surface that they are arranged on.

3) On a sheet of your 18 x 24 "good" drawing paper, using a soft graphite pencil, and employing the same use of contour line we have been using this week, create a detailed study of the surface structure of your still life, not concerning yourself with changes in color or shadow that is present. Refer to your drawing notes and the image examples I have provided to refresh your understanding of contour line drawing. If need be, place a clean sheet of paper over areas you have drawn, so that you will not smear any of the lines that you have set down.

Try not to erase too much. If you make minor mistakes, it is best to leave them. You will want to draw your lines with a lighter touch rather than a heavier touch, so that if you need to erase your lines, you can do so completely and cleanly.

Spend a minimum of 4 hours on this drawing to ensure a level of focus and care.

BEGINNING DRAWING DUE DATE: Monday, October3rd.

DRAWING FOR NON-MAJORS DUE DATE: Thursday, September 22nd.

Here are some examples showing the use of contour line drawing in both natural and mechanical subjects: