Dialog of a Design Student

Life Drawing

2010-06-20T11:45:00.000-04:00

This class was a wild ride. I really learned a lot about the human body and the underlying structure that creates the form of what you see externally. Below is a collection of some of the projects I completed in this class.

Drawing

2010-02-21T11:59:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I just finished life drawing. It was a very demanding class and very fulfilling as well. I learned so much in this class and grew so much as an artist. The most important things I learned were how to sight using a pencil to gauge where everything should go in the picture plane and to gain correct proportions, and also the importance of using the entire value scale in shading.

As you can see, in the sphere below, a full value range makes for a much more 3-D image. Without it the image would appear flat.

In the next two images, I started out measuring the objects themselves, there distance from the edges of the picture plane, and from each other to gain accurate proportions, angles, and placement. I created a box grid to place my objects in with the appropriate size and placement, and then placed my objects within the boxes. Then, utilizing the entire value scale, I modeled or shaded my objects to create a three dimensional illusion, not only in my objects, but within the space around them.

We then went on to study how to render textures. The thing with textures to remember is that you need to be mindful of the value scale when rendering them. The texture is not going to be as visible in certain areas because of the way the lighting is hitting it, or it may just be less distinct.

Our next project was a self portrait. The same principles apply, really, in portraiture as with any thing. The only difference is the rule of halves. The eyes are half way between the top of the head and the chin, the base of the nose is half way between the eyes and the chin and the mouth is half way between the base of the nose and the chin. The ears are between the eyes and the base of the nose, there is one eyes width between each eye, and roughly five eye widths across the head. the nostrils should come roughly to the inner corners of the eyes, and the corners of the mouth should line up about the middle of the eyes. Using these general guidlines, and sighting techniques to detect any variations and to gauge the angles of the nostrils, cheek bones, eyelids, mouth, etc, I was able to gain a pretty good resemblance of myself.

Our final project was a combination of all the weeks that we had studied. I chose an eclectic collection of exotic instruments and decor in a still life with drapery. I was able to successfully render proportion, placement, spatial depth, texture, and contour across the entire picture plane.

I really enjoyed this class. It took a lot out of me, but it was so worth it. Thank you for reading.

Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight | Video on TED.com

2010-01-11T16:57:00.000-05:00

Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight | Video on TED.com

Okay, I just had to share this video. I just watched it in my online classroom. I am not at all a believer in new age philosophy. I don't believe that I am some kind of god or that I am some power in the universe. But as I watched this, I was struck by her description of the right brain and what it was like to be controlled completely by the right brain. Could it be that our right brain is what houses our spirit, which is tapped in to God's presence and when we are tapped in to our right brain (our spirit), this is when we are at one with God and experiencing the unspeakable joy of being in His presence? I have had experiences just like what she describes when I have found myself in His presence. Complete and total ecstasy, and all reasoning and anxiety provoked by the left brain processes fall away. And to hear her talk about feeling as if she was massive and expansive, I think this is just what it would feel like for my spirit to be set free from this earthen vessel when I leave this earth. I think I want to tap into my right brain all the time!

My Journey Thus Far

2010-01-07T23:47:00.002-05:00

I started my college career in May of last year with the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I have taken many helpful courses. I think my favorite so far has been perspective. I really poured myself into that course. My final project (right) though still unfinished was an indigenous African man playing the djembe with great passion and delight next to a river. It was a great feeling to be able to draw something of that caliber, and I know I still have a lot to learn. I especially enjoyed creating this piece, because of the affinity I have for the peoples of Africa. I really wanted to reflect the beauty and wonder of these magnificent people and their land.

My next course is in drawing and I am really looking forward to that one as well. I am so glad to have the opportunity to learn in a field that I am so passionate about.

My last course was in Fundementals of Design, which was also a very enjoyable course. My final project (above) in that course was for another issue that I am very passionate about....human rights. This is a major issue in today's society, and their are not nearly enough people getting involved to make a difference. Some major hot spots are Darfur, North Korea, and the world wide sex and labor trade. There are more literal hot spots than I can list on this blog, but these are a few that are close to my heart. I encourage you to check out my web site and go to the links/ resources page for a comprehensive and still growing list of activist groups that you can get involved in. Human rights violations are rampant all over the world today. Here is a link to human rights statistics that I found on the web. The numbers are just overwhelming. I want to make a difference. I want to use my gifts and talents to shout a battelcry on behalf of these. I cannot do it alone, however. I need to get in touch with other like minded people in an effort to collaborate. It is a community effort. The more people who get involved in the fight for human rights the more impact we can achieve. Idealist.org is a group of people who want to make a global impact in the world today. They currently have a campain running to accomplish just that. I encourage you to visit their website and get involved. You can make a difference!