As I mentioned yesterday, I picked 3 objects for Analytical Drawing, and I started working on them yesterday. See below:
I chose a troll thingy, given to me for Christmas many years ago by my dear friend Sarah; a piece of rock from a Roman settlement in Tongeren (the oldest town in Belgium), and an African statue. Oh, and the girl in the picture is Suz, one of my friends from class. She sneaked into the shot, and I had to put it up here!
The idea was to take objects that you have a personal affinity with. I collect tribal ornamentation, and objects from early civilisations. I have many ancient artefacts such as an earthenware jug from China c. 2000BC; a Tolita culture head from the pre-Columbian era – roughly 500BC-300AD; an elephant bell from the Khmer Samrong Sen region c.1200-1500 AD; bronze age arrowheads; mammoth teeth; and fossilised fish. I also collect ancient books. The items above aren’t old, except for the rock from the Roman settlement. I didn’t want to carry my artefacts around with me in case of damage, but these give an idea of the type of things I like.
I wish I hadn’t bothered! I should have taken much easier items to draw. The problem is that I am now being taught to draw using certain methods of measurement. Of course, I understand completely why I’m taught to measure using these methods but they are so alien to me, that it is taking me hours to measure pieces. It has really slowed down my drawing, to such an extent that I cannot complete a drawing in 2 hours in class, and it is agony to draw. It is making me more tense, because I’m standing with arm stretched rigid. It doesn’t help that I have shaky hands, so it takes me a bit of time to get the measurement just right. No doubt I will get quicker, but just now it is hellish! This is making it very difficult to draw these items as there is so much going on – well for me as a beginner it is. I spent all afternoon just trying to get this sketched outline in:
It just feels so mechanical, and has absolutely no soul to it. So I reiterate, analytical drawing is a bitch!
Tomorrow, I have more analytical drawing. Fun, fun, fun, but I also have a new class: Sculpture! I’m soooo excited! I can’t wait to get my hands messy. I’ve said before that, for me, the visual aspect is the first response to art, and that the tactile aspect should be the second. It’s just a personal thing, but something I truly believe. I want to touch art – not be made to stand at a distance from it. Sculpture should be exactly that. There’s a saying here: You see with your eyes and not with your hands. It would be said, usually one child to another, when you wanted to look at something that the other had. I disagree completely with that sentiment. I get really excited when I run my hands over a piece of art that is full of texture. Am I weird? To some, probably! Anyway, I’ll let you know how I get on with that tomorrow! Peace out.
I like the pieces you chose.
Thanks Leslie
I’m wondering if it’s supposed to feel mechanical to get you to think outside the box. These exercises can be stressful, but maybe you’ll thank your instructor later? Good job on the outline! I’m a stick figure kind of girl, so nothing like that would come out of me even if I tried.
I agree Kathy. I think they’re designed to make things easier for you once you become proficient in their methods, and to ensure that you get correct proportions and perspective. It’s just the starting from scratch that is slow and painstaking. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but for the moment it’s just stressing me out. Anyway, I’ve scrapped these 3 items as I was told today that it has to relate to one of my previous projects. So annoying after spending hours on that piece. Oh well, I just have to get on with it!
I’m anxious to know what objects you are choosing, now.
It would appear that it has to be based on the My Space project, which means it is music related. So, I have an idea of taking in a guitar, guitar pedals, plectrums and guitar leads. I’ll decide over the next couple of days.
Sounds like a plan!
I don’t know too much about this analytical drawing business but I am sooo stoked to see you working on sculpture!! Hey I thought of your blog today. Someone painted a picture on a boxcar and it really spoke to me…wierd huh. Anyway you have influenced me. Thanks!
Aww thanks Mark! You don’t really want to know about analytical drawing lol! All it is really. is drawing something very detailed and analysing it from all sides. I spoke to my painting tutor yesterday as she is the one who wrote the brief for analytical drawing. The drawing class ties in with her painting class, and she told me to pick something simpler as I have a limited amount of time to get the drawings done – one A2 sheet per week. So, I’ve decided to tie it in with my painting to a theme project from last term. However, I went on the hunt for objects yesterday in the city and could find nothing, so I’m going to buy clay and make the items myself! That should be interesting, but I imagine it’s like plasticine lol. Anyway, I’m away to get some just now, and hopefully by tomorrow, I’ll have sculptural pieces to draw. Eeks.