SUPPLIES
Charcoal Pencils
18” x 24” White Drawing Quality Paper
Eraser, White Mars or Kneaded
Both of your legs
In this homework assignment you will draw your legs and feet from observation. In this drawing you will focus on creating an interesting composition and defining form by the use of cross-contours.
Your drawing should include both of your legs, starting just above the knee and continuing down to include your feet as well. Your perspective is an important part of your drawing; so do not draw your legs from a reflection in a mirror. Be sure you arrange your drawing board and paper so that it is not in the way of viewing your legs- using an easel is the best way to achieve this. Consider how you “pose” your legs and feet. Are they interacting with or overlapping each other? How does this create an interesting composition on your paper? What negative shapes do the forms of your legs make?
After you have sketched out the pose, composition, and basic form, you will begin to define the forms using cross-contours or lines that run parallel across your legs. Consider your point of view. You are looking down on your legs. How does this affect the curve of the cross-contours? What is the spacing between the cross-contours line? Does it vary? Be as accurate as you can. This will require you to redraw and reconsider your lines over and over. Do not worry about pentimenti-the reworking and rethinking of earlier lines or marks. The most important thing is that you work on the drawing until every part feels considered and accurate. This does not necessarily mean that the drawing has to be “clean”. The drawing can contain the history of your first attempts and sketches. Often these add to the drawing’s atmosphere. Be critical. Do not generalize.
Pay attention to your use of line weight. Consider how using line weight will create space. Example: high contrast lines or dark lines on a white background come forward, low contrast lines or light lines on a white background receded
Grade will be based on
For first critique
- Fulfillment of requirements
- Interesting composition
- Accurate drawing of feet and legs
- Cross-contours lines that are specific and feel observed not generalized
- Use of varied line weight to create space and form
- Aggressive and thoughtful reworking based on in-class critique
- Overall ambition and creativity of drawing
Questions that you should ask yourself
- Am I using the whole page?
- Is the composition on the page interesting?
- Are the negative shapes interesting?
- Are my legs and feet posed in an interesting and challenging pose?
- Is the description of my feet and legs specific?
- How is my use of line weight?
- Am I showing the interior planes of the form verse an outline?
- Am I using cross contours to show the form?
- Are my cross contours specific and carefully observed?
- Am I using a variety of line weight within my cross contours?
- What is the quality, characteristic, or mood of my drawing? Nervous? Tense? Relaxed? Playful?
