Description: Have you ever wanted to work with abstraction but struggled to make the leap from representational work? In this class we will work through a series of exercises that will give you some structure to use when dipping your toes into a new way of expression. By breaking down the process, abstraction becomes more approachable and intuitive. We will look at how using texture, movement, and focusing in on a small part of the world can help yield some truly interesting results! Be prepared to be a little uncomfortable but know that you will be supported.
Syllabus:
1st session: introductions, check in on what students are looking for in the class. Short slide show of abstract art drawn from nature (be it built or pastoral). Start with looking at things through a viewfinder to find an interesting composition. Lots of time to draw & for individual attention.
2nd session - check in to see how everyone is doing & discuss any questions or things that came up. Look at some short videos of movement in the landscape. Discussion of using movement as a way to get gestural flow in a piece. Time for drawing and individual attention.
3rd session- check in to see how everyone is doing & discuss any questions or things that came up. Brief slide show of texture in landscape and a discussion on how texture can be used to infer landscape without directly referencing it. Time for drawing and individual attention.
4th session- check in to see how everyone is doing & discuss any questions or things that came up. Next steps: discussion about using color and line in abstraction- how color can help or hinder your message. *Strongly recommend bringing color supplies for this class*. Time for drawing and individual attention.
Materials needed- bring your favorite drawing supplies, a sketchbook, some imagery you’re responding to, and some paper if you want to start working outside of your sketchbook. I consider anything that can make a mark on a page a drawing tool, so truly bring whatever you like!
