For your first complete exploration of contour line, you will turn to yourself as a subject.
Working from life, by viewing yourself in a mirror, you will carefully and patiently map the contours that describe your physical self.
First, consider the composition and how you wish to be seen within the picture plane. Create a series of three preliminary thumbnails to plot out the best use of compositional space. Do you want to be seen with a prop? Will the mirror itself be visible as a "picture within the picture?"
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 yourself as floating in space, include a portion of the environment you are within.
On a sheet of your Strathmore drawing paper, using a soft graphite pencil, and employing the same use of contour line we have viewed in class, create a detailed study of the surface structure of yourself as the subject, not concerning yourself with changes in color and shadow that is present. Refer to your drawing notes and the image examples I have provided to refresh your understanding of contour line drawing. As discussed, consider the "character" of your line, with subtle changes from thick to thin. 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 at the beginning of class on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26.
DRAWING FOR NON-ART MAJORS: DUE at the beginning of class on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15.
ADDITIONALLY, please find one natural object to bring into class as a subject to draw from . The object should be organic and grown. A flower, a complex vegetable or fruit. Something with a dynamic form containing much surface variation. An orange, a pear or an apple would be examples of what NOT to bring in, as their surfaces are smooth and plain. A pineapple, however, has many surface changes. A large seashell would also, or a large piece of tree bark. Your object should also not be too small, as you want to be able to examine the surface structure at great length for your drawing. If you are in doubt as to what you have chosen, feel free to email me for advice. Be prepared to create a drawing of this using both pencils and pens and brush and ink, in the 9/15 class session.
