15/02/14
03: Week 2- Line
As we always do, we start the class with a 5-10 minute pose, just to get back into the swing of drawing. The first drawing is always the hardest, it’s almost as we forgotten how to use the charcoal!
This week, we built on a lot of the core principles that David had taught us already. Week 1 had been about the basics of drawing, getting to know the class, becoming comfortable with the materials and technique. How to turn the pose into a few simple shapes.
This week was about ‘Line’.
‘Line’ is one of the basic elements of art- the others being shape, form, tone, texture, pattern and colour. A line is not just something that connects two dots. What we would learn today, is that it’s about the path it that a line takes. Along this path, line can describe a lot… It can define a space, create an outline or pattern, imply movement or texture and allude to mass or volume. It can even describe a feeling, or emotion.
We started off doing a few 2-5 minute poses, where we could only use a few simple lines to draw the model.
We then moved onto using some felt tips…this was very fun!
We did a few great exercises- not taking the pen off the paper, left-handed work, superimposing our drawings, and an interesting exercise which involved using the felt-tip attached to a long stick.
David used the tasks to encourage us to think about contour, and to use the (very permanent) felt tip to describe whatever we saw. So, in the case of the exercise where the open had to remain in constant contact with the paper, he said that we could switch from drawing the chest, to defining the curve of a stomach or breast, then to the a dimple on the back….it’s was all about really looking at what was in front of us. The resulting work was actually really great. And I loved the super-imposing figures onto one piece…it gave the work more movement, and life. Something which I think I’m going to explore in my own work.
Our next task was to revert back to trusty charcoal or graphite, and zoom into a particular body part, or area, and use line to describe contour. Kind of like a map. Again, seeing different styles from the pupils is what struck me the most.
Next, we were given ink, another very permanent medium! It’s daunting switching from charcoal, which can be rubbed off with your hand, to ink, which (aside from causing a lot of mess) feels very final. And we didn’t just use a pen with the ink….no
no. David had other tools in mind. Tooth picks, cotton wool buds, different size brushes….this is what we used.
By now, however, I think we were all becoming braver. This pose was longer, about 40mins-1hr.
I particularly love Louis’ piece below. He’s a screenwriter and has been producing some amazing work so far. I thought his use of the toothpick and cotton wool, produced a beautifully delicate drawing that was quite theatrical, and captured the volume of the human form so well.
Below is my piece, using brush and a wooden pick.
And finally, below is some of the finished work from the entire class.
When I first started life drawing, line was my best friend. We rely on line to bring together the human form, even though, in reality, the figure is clearly not a group of lines. We’re not cartoons after all. So I feel that my biggest lesson this week, was learning about using line to describe contour and space.
Below is some of my work from a drop-in class in Farringdon, a few weeks ago, using felt tip.
I think I’ve definitely learnt something from the class. Next week…tone!
Zara x
For more info and booking for the London Drawing Contemporary Life Drawing Course at Heatherley’s
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