Composition with Gestural Markmaking: Still-Life or Landscape                     Drawing 1              Aston

 

Objectives: Practice drawing through rapid and intuitive gesture sketching as opposed to carefully controlled line  drawing. Practice free-flowing movement of the arm and hand.  Experiment with various types of markmaking. Develop tonal areas through directional or massed markmaking. Create the illusion of spatial depth through the use of atmospheric perspective.

Size and Medium: 18” x 24” Charcoal Pencils and Erasers.

Subject: You can draw any subject you choose from observation as long as it is spatially complex.

Example 1. A complicated still-life set-up could be a dresser or closet full of stuff; a heap of clothes, shoes, or hats; or any assortment of random junk. Arrange a set-up that can be left untouched for 2 weeks.

Example 2. A landscape with foreground, middleground and background.  Avoid straight lines and geometry for this assignment and attempt to draw masses of foliage, trees, and clouds.

Instructions: This will be a gesture and markmaking study sustained over a period of 2 weeks. You should begin sketching lightly and quickly and continue in this manner until all the positive and negative spaces are filled with marks and the drawing conveys a clear sense of depth. All of objects do not have to be realistic or precise, or even recognizable, although the longer you continue to observe details and build up the marks, the more realistic the drawing will become. After experimenting with different types of markmaking, choose a style that feels comfortable and then keep the markmaking consistent. Create the illusion of spatial depth by using dark, sharp marks in the foreground, and soft, light marks in the background. (This is called atmospheric perspective) When you are finished, the entire surface of drawing should be covered with hatched marks of optical greys in a full tonal range. The marks should fade out gradually as they approach the edge of the page. For additional help read page 301-2  Drawing Assignments: Intuitive Gesture