Fistful of Graphite

Today before drawing class, I was in a taciturn mood - I wasn't extremely satisfied with my homework (mainly because of some counter-intuitive post-completion changes I made at the last minute) and was really nervous about critique. Thankfully we didn't spend to much time on that (and mine was a good example of "what to do"! :backpat:).

In class we worked on one point perspective, which, while not the easiest thing to explain, is not too difficult to understand in practice. Still, I was really frustrated because I was having a lot of issue with scale, which is something I'm normally pretty good at. Oh well. Practice, practice, practice.

As a side note: If any of my peers did NOT notice: I am clumsy as cuss, so...just expect more of that.

And: Teach has good music taste, yo.

NO HOMEWORK.

Channing Tatum Is A Monkey

It's 10:08 p.m., Wednesday, August 25th, 2010, and I've just completed my first Drawing I assignment - small thanks to Step Up and significant amounts of caffeine.

When I first received the assignment, I was a bit confused, as I didn't really understand the point of the exercise, but I grudgingly began preparation, as it was due in such a short period of time.

Before I began, I looked up the artist Jason suggested, Barnett Newman, and immediately my inspiration and enthusiasm about the project was bolstered. Reading about Barnett Newman's background (his study of philosophy, his tutelage under Milton Avery, and relationship to the work of Mark Rothke) gave much understanding and context to his work and while many of his initial viewers thought his work emotionally void, Newman was always adamant about the emotionally charge nature of his work.

I particularly saw this in his series, The Stations of the Cross, which some believe to be representative of holocaust victims.



And so, with renewed vigor, I began my assignment. It was a little tedious, but I enjoyed it enormously - it's not as busy as the examples Jason posted on the class blog, but I'll blame Newman for that.

Good night, and good luck.

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EDIT:

Here are a few of Rothko's paintings. I think it's important to see the scale of both artists' works - they certainly did.



Aaaand:



A series of lithographic prints by Newman - The 18 Cantos.

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EDIT II:

I got nervous looking at the examples and added more lines. Now I hate it. And I'm even more nervous. Cuss.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Let it be known that, thence forth, this web log will formally be utilized as a record of Courtney Kay Whitlow's experiences in Drawing I.