Drapery Studies

Sam Chumley's drawing breaks the various surfaces down into fairly aggressive marks that accumulate into a wide range of value. The effectiveness of the open composition creates some strong diagonals of lights and darks.

Gilbert Garcilazo's marks are much more subtle and suggestive of the reality of the space and the gravity of the drapery.

 
Coby Vaughan's drawing has an energetic approach to mark-making that adds a sense of urgency to the image allowing her point of view to be expressed.

Camille Stettenbenz's drawing explores the abstract qualities of the light and dark patterns of the fabric, setting up a strong sense of repetition and rhythm.

Jessica Hagedorn's drawing is a strong open composition that is enhanced by the way she explored her marks relative to the surfaces she was viewing.

So we exercised our seeing and mark-making skills with drapery as subject, hanging on the wall with a strong light coming from one direction. I thought there was some good progress in many of the pieces. Developing a sensitivity to the touch of the pencil on the drawing surface and the ability to discriminate subtle changes in the marks of the pencil, or any drawing tool, on that surface are some of the most important parts of the drawing process. Developing our powers of observation is also hugely important, not only as human beings, but also for many in our F100 class who are growing and emerging artists.

These are very basic sensitivities but ones that, because of the refinement and energy they require, are both sophisticated and challenging. It is challenging to invest extraordinary concentration in an activity that is generally perceived as utilitarian.  Focusing attention on something as routine as using a hand-held tool to make marks on paper requires that we temporarily detach ourselves from the distractions of our over-stimulating environment and devote our attention to the simple experience of direct sensory awareness.  That actually may be one of the biggest challenges.  Drawing demands active and purposeful participation.