Blind Contours

Blind contours were fun. The entire process.
The charcoal and conte I did two drawings of each, and chose the second both times to turn in to class. For the india ink I must've done at least three for each, and I was barely happy with either of the ones I chose. BUT, I loved the freedom which it allows. Sure, there's this huge restriction, but that's the beauty of it. It's not meticulous, its liberating.
I tried to really focus on line quality throughout the entire process, along with having my hand move at the same time as my eyes.
I tried starting in different places--my favorite is the nose, but it's not the most accurate, since I many times would come back up and one of the eyes would be very off balance. The most accurate turned out to be the forehead, but I also tried starting from the eyes, and that worked out nicely.
Conte was my favorite to work with. Charcoal was used up too quickly, and therefore left me with a squeaking nub, or the option of switching pencils. Conte, however, gave broader line variety because of the range of twists that could be executed and pressures applied.
I like stick and ink, but not for bind contours. Redipping is a really big necessity, and when I can't... well, it just screws everything up, and I feel like it was a waste.

Finally, India Ink!

First off, been too long since I've written!
Secondly, class today was (as warned) refreshing! Charcoal is probably my least favorite to work with now--primarily because I need to sharpen my pencil so damn much, and by the time I've gotten halfway through a 1 minute gesture drawing, I have to switch pencils because I just apparently can never sharpen it enough. I love conte though--or at least, I loved using it for massing. So much fun! I think I enjoy the organic shapes a lot more than the geometric. Or maybe what I really mean is the complex over simple. I found myself favoring the tricycle and two skulls in class today. And, my very favorite of all--india ink! It's one of my favorite mediums regardless, so using it in class was welcoming. Not to say that my favorite way to use it is gestural drawings with a stick (My favorite way of using it is more experimental and involves a regular paintbrush, ink, and a lot of water and dabbing), but I won't turn down any time with the ink! The homework I am also looking forward to. Blind contours are fun. What I'm worried about, however, is making them look... homework quality. I'm wondering how these are going to be graded? Since it's blind, it's not like we can really make them completely accurate... although I suppose I will be practicing plenty beforehand to try and make this as skilled as possible. I suppose line variation? Either way, I'll be practicing.

I was happy to get my sketchbook back. Pleasantly surprised at the grade. So, no worries Jason, I'll be working diligently in it--its a lot more relaxing to know I don't have to do ruler drawings as part of the exercises. It's less appealing to pick up the book and start with a ruler, than just sitting down and having at it with a pencil, charcoal, ink, etc.

so anyways, fall break! So excited. I'll be posting later about homework stuffs.