For The next 2 week’s readings please read and COMMENT that you completed the reading on each of the following blog posts. You MAY read ahead, and it is suggested that you READ These before attempting project 1.
Week 3
Week 4
Ink can be a messy medium!
Before you begin your work in this medium, here are some helpful tips and tricks.
Just as you would warm up before exercise, warm up before using ink. Take the time to work on your lines and strokes on a separate sheet of paper before you begin working on your actual illustration. This will ensure that you have proper command of your hands.
This image is of comic book artist Jacob Halton’s inking warm-up, which he does in the morning to “get command of his hands”.
Jacob Halton’s inking warm-up page
Marks are easier to make when moving your hand in certain directions, so move your page around in order to make this possible. Work your hands in the way that they move naturally.
This is a way to keep warming up your hands. Thicker lines are safer to work with until you feel confident enough to move onto the drawing’s fine detail portions.
Don’t try to work on the illustration in a left-to-right method, or in any order like that. Instead, think about where your hand may smear the ink, and work in a way that minimizes that smearing. Some artists place a piece of paper or paper towel under their inking hands in order to help with this process.
All paper, including watercolor paper or Bristol board, will warp when wet. It’s much easier to draw controlled lines on completely flat paper. Therefore, draw your lines before soaking any large areas with ink, otherwise known as executing an ink wash. Another method is to fill in large areas of ink, and then either allow for drying time or use a hair dryer before moving on to finer details.
In this exercise try creating multiple steps in value, using a variety of mark making techniques in ink. Not in this set of swatches all of the different methods used to create value.
Try creating value scales. Begin with by using the swatches below as examples.
EX 1:
Create an abstract design and fill in the design using these different swatches of value. Try patterns, stippling, hatching, and crosshatch. Try ink wash techniques as well. POST your work Tagged Sketchbook, along with your thoughts on it how you accomplished the task.
Project 1
Overall Assignment:
Part 3
Finalize your 2 Themed Cards using pen, brush and ink. Be sure to PRACTICE first. Remember YOU CAN EDIT AT EVERY STAGE OF AN ILLUSTRATION, so if you make an error or if you see you can improve a drawing, DO IT! When inking, work approximately 2x the size of your final art. Scan your inked work and finish the project in PS. Be sure to adjust levels and present your cards exactly as you want them printed.
FILES should be 5 x 7 landscape or portrait.
YOU CAN POST WORK IN PROGRESS OR QUESTIONS HERE FOR FEEDBACK!
LECTURE
DUE NEXT WEEK
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Please Read the Lecture: COMD 3313 Intro to Composition
(Only read up to Part 7, Directing the Viewer.)
Share an illustration that makes great use of Composition. Explain why:
Be sure to read eachother’s observations BEFORE posting your own.
Composition Cut Outs (2 pages only)
LECTURE
DUE NEXT WEEK
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Since we are in New York City artists have many options to improve their life drawing skills by drawing from a model outside of this class. The only way to improve your drawing is to practice! Practicing our craft is VITAL! Take advantage of the resources in our city!
IN MANHATTAN:
The New York Society of Illustrators is an incredible resource for up and coming commercial artists. The sketch night is a great way to get to know this institution. Its lively with great models, live music, pro illustrators, and often comes with FOOD! This one is wonderful and is the cheapest option I’ve found for students!
IN BROOKLYN:
Shoestring Studio is a membership-based art studio serving painters, draftsmen, illustrators, and other artists in need of workspace, community, and shared resources. Their primary mission is to provide affordable, accessible workspace for artists in Crown Heights and the greater Brooklyn area. They host figure drawing sessions several days per week at a very affordable rate. You do not need to be a member to attend. Be sure to ask about student discounts!
The OpenLab is an open-source, digital platform designed to support teaching and learning at City Tech (New York City College of Technology), and to promote student and faculty engagement in the intellectual and social life of the college community.
