Ladder Still Life (24x18)
A still life of a ladder with boxes strung up around it and various other items was set up to draw in the studio. We were required to choose some part of it to draw and pay close attention to values and composition. I chose to zoom in on the middle of the ladder and make it as realistic as possible so that my drawing would look like a snapshot of the still life. I shaded the background a light gray by smudging the pencil graphite to make white objects stand out more. This drawing was completed after about 9 hours of work.
Perspective Drawing (18x24)
Find a place outside and create a drawing with a focal point. Outline the horizon line and and the lines that stretch out to form architecture and landscape features. I chose a spot outside of the Armory on the sidewalk by the parking lot facing Squires and the Bottom of the Stairs restaurant. I wanted to make the end of the sidewalk my focal point and draw how the restaurant and bushes stretch away from it. I also drew a grid to divide my page and make it easier to capture the perspective accurately. This drawing is incomplete, but about 3 hours of work.
Trompe L'oeil Drawing (18x24)
Bring a collection of 8 or more items and arrange them to get scanned on the copier. Use realistic imagery to create the illusion of three dimensions with forced perspective. To translate the photo to a larger scale, draw a grid on the printed photo and the 18x24 paper and copy each square. I brought in some small items such as cards, lip gloss, a keychain, my glasses, etc. and arranged them in a balanced composition with cards of my favorite numbers in the foreground. I used pencils to complete this drawing, and the hand sanitizer and bag of chips are not complete, but this drawing took about 10 hours.
Masked Self
Create a physical 3D mask to wear that represents your alter ego. After your mask is complete you will use it as reference to create a self portrait set in the world of your alter ego. I made my mask using cardboard, paint, sequins, and other crafting materials in about 3 hours. It is inspired by Japanese anime art and masquerade ball masks, and I used the colors red, black, and white to make it dark and elegant. I wanted the mask to look sharp and regal, so I made a crown and used a diamond theme, so it is also reminiscent of a black widow spider. For my self portraits, I drew one with oil pastels by looking in a mirror while wearing my mask, which took 1 hour. I then added my pupils, nostrils, and mouth on top in Sumi Ink by placing the drawing behind my back and looking into a mirror while holding a paint brush over my shoulder. My second self portrait was drawn in pencil and blended with my fingers while looking in a mirror and took about 9 hours to complete. After completing this portrait, I added color using oil pastels and drew over the portrait with themes of my mask, which took about 30 minutes. This final project was intended to teach the idea that the process of making art is more important than the final product.
