First Clay Assignment

With the first additions to the mannequins we were assigned, I definitely have a better understanding of the human form and what makes it work. By understanding where certain muscles are located along the spinal column, it is easier to see how and why we move the way we do. I will be able to relate what I have learned through the clay forms to drawing models in class. Through my own experience with forming these muscles, I have a better understanding of the four curves in the spinal column (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral) and where the muscles should attach. I have a feeling that in my drawings to come, the figures will be a lot more proportionate and a lot less distorted.

At the same time, I feel like I might be jumping to conclusions on assuming that I have an understanding of all this. I am wondering if my clay forms are even correct. Hopefully I can understand my mistakes when I attend class and get it right for the next assignment.

Bones, Muscles, Shells

This past week I have significantly learned more about muscles and bone structure. Before this class, I never realized how much anatomy matters when it comes to drawing. My drawings are becoming much more successful with the knowledge of the bone and muscular structures. I am excited to start working with the mannequins and really get a feel for muscles and the best way to draw them. In the past, I mostly focused on the surface of what I was drawing. I now know that if you can understand what lies under the surface of the form, it is much easier to comprehend proportions and angles.

In the critique for my shell drawing, I learned that I went a little too far with the cross contours. If I kept my lines moving one direction through the whole object and then came back with only a few lines going the opposite direction, the drawing would have been more successful. The way it appears now is too dark and busy. If I had some variations in my line weight, this would have also helped. In my next drawings I will be more conscious of atmospheric perspective. One more thing I should have considered, is drawing a different angle of the shell. If the shell was positioned at more of an angle, the drawing would have been much more dynamic in appearance.

The First Full Week

I feel like I have significantly grown in just the two days of class this past week. My first gesture drawings were pretty rough, since I had not done any in quite a while. When I page through my newsprint pad, there is a huge change from one page to the next. My lines started out looking very rushed and sketchy. As I continued, the line quality became more confident in appearance. Slowly my understanding of proportion starts to come together. On the second day of gesture drawings, one can see the beginning of an understanding of axis lines through the bodies. With the start of contour drawings, it seems to be a bit challenging, but I am sure I will improve.

The First Post

A little about me:
My name is Jillian Alberg.
I am from Monticello, MN.
My major is Art Education.
I absolutely love to draw.
I like to water-ski, downhill ski, and cross country ski.
I like to figure skate.
I make jewelry.

Pictured here are some earrings I have made and a little sketch of a frog.

Since I have always loved to draw, I approach this class with excitement and am eager to draw the human form for a change (I typically draw animals).