For class 10/23, we'll reviewing your final drawings of the Gashlycrumb Tinies assignment. Do not bring anything already started. If so you'll be deducted grade points and have to start over.

This is the point where any changes, alterations or designs will take place before you start final art.
Bring to class lightly drawn images on whatever surface. It can be on board, paper or digital sketch. Make sure they are the exact measurements with tape around them to ensure a clean border.  Also bring your art materials.


Also we will be begin to the next assignment 3 - PhotoReference: Figure in an Environment.


Examples of other illustrators using photo reference to create amazing illustrations.

http://muddycolors.blogspot.com/2014/01/artist-selfies-everybodys-doing-it.html


Highly recommended!!! Excellent checklist courtesy of a Muddycolors.com blogpost by Ron Lemen.

1. You can use anyone as reference for your subject.

2. Check your eye level.

3. Make sure the ambient temperatures of your many reference shots match each.

4. Work from a well-documented idea. 

5. If possible, shoot high-resolution video instead of photos. 

6. If you are “borrowing” the reference from the internet, try to technically recreate the shot.

7. White highlights and black shadows do not exist in nature the way a camera can interpret them.

8. Make sure to capture the subject at the distance you intend them to be from the picture plane in the final painting. 

9. Whether collaging together the work in photoshop or collaging the reference together in the preliminary drawing, use a horizon line and ground plane to work with. 

10. Finally, the most and what I find most important to remember:  DO NOT BE A SLAVE TO YOUR REFERENCE.

A detailed description of each is available at  A Checklist For Using Photo Reference.


Tomorrows class, 10/2:
  • Hand in Antihero assignment for grading.  
  • Bring your drawings, reference collected and your laptop for the cup assignment.  
  • Your sketchbook and drawing materials like pencils, erasers, pen & ink. 

Also we are going to discuss the cup assignment going forward, your next assignment and upcoming figure drawing sessions during class.
Just a reminder about Monday 9/25 class.


For the cup assignment please bring:

Bring in a tighter, refined 4x6 line drawing of the cup assignment from your sketchbook printed on a sheet of copy paper to hang on wall for review. You can do up to two drawings  if necessary but they have to be different ideas. This is an important step in the process so you can catch anything that needs to be adjusted, changed or removed.  Do not start the final artwork until you show me drawings in class or email if absent.  If you start the final artwork without letting see it first you will lose a letter point grade and start over.

Bring in all your collected photo reference.  It can be on your laptop and/or B&W print outs but I want to see all your photo reference to offer assistance.  


Antihero assignment:
Show me your progress.  The due date is 9/27.



You will lose points on your grade if you don't bring in your 4x6 drawing(s), photo references and antihero progress.  Being absent is not an excuse either you can email your stuff by 5pm Monday.
Here are links of surreal artwork to help with sparking ideas for assignment #1:




Tomorrow's class I will be doing a B&W acrylic portrait demo.

Bring to class:

  • Printout of your refined antihero sketching from your sketchbook 
  • B&W print out of your photo reference
  • Sketchbook
  • 9x12 pad of tracing paper
  • Your drawing materials 

Here are links of some creative examples by these illustrators.

Edward Kinsella
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/46936021096296598/

Jillian Tamaki
jillian tamaki portrait

Roberto Parada
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=roberto%20parada&rs=typed

Joseph Ciardiello
joseph ciardiello illustrator

Tim O'Brien
tim obrien illustrator





In class assignment

The in class assignment you will be creating a portrait of an antihero.  Click here for PDF explaining the assignment in more detail.

 Bring to class:

  • Large sketchbook
  • Pencils
  • Erasers
  • Pen & Ink *optional
  • B&W photo reference
  • laptop


Thumbnail sketching

Illustrators are visual communicators who tell stories with pictures. These pictures start with small thumbnail sketches in a sketchbook, so you can see how your thoughts work on paper. These sketches are simple line drawings with a small amount of values to make your ideas easier to read. These sketches are for personal critiquing only. This method should help you see if an idea can work visually. Since thumbnail sketches help you resolve your ideas, you should complete as many as possible.

The difference between a good illustration and an unsuccessful one, often comes down to the ideas. Norman Rockwell wrote, "The idea itself probably is the most important element of the entire illustration."

Listed below are some suggestions:
1. Read and reread the text a number of times.
2. While reading, make small doodles of your ideas.
3. Write notes about your ideas.
4. Sterling Hundley makes word associations with other words and doodles/sketches.
5. The goal of a sketch is to communicate an idea with simple lines, shapes and values.
6. Create 10 to 25 thumbnail sketches in your sketchbook

Below is an example of sketches and the final image.
Tomer Hanuka’s Perfect Storm for The New Yorker Cover



WHAT ARE CONCEPTS AND HOW DO I GET ‘EM?
by illustrator Jillian Tamaki

“Concepts are ideas. Some ideas are good. Some are bad. Some are offensive or insensitive. Some of them are tried-and-true (but possibly boring). Some are clever and make you laugh. Some rely on intangible things like “atmosphere” and “emotion” for their power. Some live and die on the execution (finish) of the piece.”


In order for a piece to be successful, you must communicate your idea to the viewer. The viewer should be charmed, intrigued, empathetic, repulsed, provoked. SOMETHING.
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