Assignment 3: Realism in 2 New Views

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Overview

Realism in 2 New Views

• Drawing a Classmate in 3/4 View
• Drawing Someone Live in Profile View

Pull out all the stops to create 2 highly realistic graphite portraits on white paper, one of a classmate and one of a friend or family member. Remember that correct proportions are the foundation for believable realism.

Learning Outcomes

• To understand the unique properties of profile and 3⁄4 views versus full-frontal view
• To design the best relationship between figure and ground within a given space
• To see how quickly a drawing with correct proportion may be pushed into realism
• To experience drawing an extended pose with a live model
• To meet a fellow student “face-to-face” through drawing
• To be able to discuss 1) your choice of subjects and 2) your drawing experiences
• To learn to recognize and place reflected light within shadows

Instructions

For the subject of your first drawing, choose your favorite 3/4 view from a classmate’s posted Photo Study Guides. For your second drawing, ask a friend or family member to sit for you. Draw your live model completely from direct observation, not from a photo.

Compose the layout of both drawings with 2 important design elements:

1. a margin to define the working pictorial edge
2. a strong figure/ground relationship between the model and the working edge.

What you will need:

• For profile view: a classmate’s Photo Study Guide
• For 3⁄4 view: a live model for observational drawing
• Strong directional light source
• Drawing clipboard
• 18″ x 24″ white paper
• Paper cushion pad
• Measuring stick
• Ruler for margins
• All pencils
• All erasers
• Sanding block
• Sharpener

How to:

• Before beginning, draw margins with H pencil. Measure carefully.
  • Top: 3″
  • Sides: 2.5″
  • Bottom: 3.25″
• Keep margin lines parallel to edge of paper.
• Begin both drawings with light, gestural sketch of respective face diagrams.
• Build on drawing principles in Assignment 2.
• Pull out all the stops to draw realistic, highly detailed faces.
• Set up “extreme” directional lighting for the life drawing.
• Draw what you see, not what you think you see.
• Lightly outline strongest shadows.
• Use traditional crosshatching to shade faces and backgrounds.
• Use a full range of lights to darks using H to 8B pencils.
• Use erasers to add back reflected light within shadows.
• In high-value areas, keep lines especially delicate and light handed.
• In low-value areas, go for strong darks built slowly through crosshatching.
• Shade the negative space/shape between figure and margin.
• Keep gradations and value transitions smooth without rubbing.
• Keep pencils sharp.

Submission

Create a new post with an image gallery containing the drawings you created for this assignment.

• To create your post, visit OpenLab Help> Writing a Post
  • Title your post with “Screen name” + “Assignment 3”. Example: “Miguel – Assignment 3”
  • IMPORTANT: Be sure to check the category “Assignment Posts” when creating your post. Visit: OpenLab Help > Adding Categories and Tags.
  • IMPORTANT: Be sure to use the tag “Assignment 3” when creating your post. Visit: OpenLab Help > Adding Categories and Tags.
• To add an image gallery, visit OpenLab Help > Adding an image gallery
  • Add well-lighted, thoughtfully composed images of your drawings to an image gallery.
• Add a written reflection.
  • Document your thoughts about this assignment. Think about what you learned, what you could have done better, and how you will apply what you learned to your next drawing.

Due Date(s)

• 4 pm the day before next class

Resources

• Assignment 3 samples
• Profile and 3⁄4 view diagrams
• Historical examples

Student Examples

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