Randolph Crider: 2010

A Stick Figure In Cleveland: Part Two

More from anatomy class this semester. Per usual, 18x24 newsprint and charcoal, anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour and a half. These have been the most fun, and rewarding of my recent hectic weeks. I can usually pull off listening to Smodcast and locating a scapula simultaneously, so they end up being pretty low stress.

Just like the rest of school, I'm chomping at the bit to put these new skillz into practice with something fun!

The Summer Romance Has Blossomed To A Fall Relationship

While I'm busy getting through the semester, I thought I'd post the work I did over the summer at the Cleveland Institute Of Art's wednesday life drawing workshops. These range from an hour to an hour and a half on 18 x 24 newsprint with charcoal. It was a struggle forcing myself to spend that much time on one pose, but I feel like I'm better for it. Especially juxtaposed with what I was doing in the workshops before I left for San Francisco.

I'm hoping to hit these again soon, since they've always been a great exercise for me. I'm also really excited to put this anatomy study into good use.

Dr Sketchy Cleveland: Halloween III

After digging myself out of a mountain of homework, I dragged myself to this years halloween Dr Sketchy. It was my second time a drawing a bearded lady at a Sketchy event, although it was a fake beard this time around. I haven't made up my mind which one I prefer, but I have made my mind up about the people, It's good to be back drawing with friends.

It's also good to draw in this marker style again.

(which I haven't done since I moved away)

A Stick Figure In Cleveland: Part One

Like In San Francisco, I want to chart my figure drawing growth on the website. Unfortunately, I haven't had the time to keep up with it as well as I'd like.

Cleveland's a drinking town after all.

Here is the first month of my anatomy assignments and exercises. They are mostly forty minute charcoal drawings done on 18 x 24 newsprint.

They are all done from photos. I plan on uploading work from over the summer from a live model, and hopefully get to some more figure drawing sessions in the near future.

How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Charcoal

I never put up my work from Analysis Of Form last semester. Which was a pretty big turning point for me, just like it's supposed to be.

It was the beginning of really learning to see, and probably the first time I've ever spent more than 40 hours on a single drawing.

Which means I stuck it out, and didn't give up on using the charcoal like I have for the past 15 years.

Big thanks to David Choong Lee for walking me through it, and becoming my new hero.

A Stick Figure In Clay

There is no doubt H.David Wagner leveled me up this semester.

one class with a model

I've mentioned before, this was the semester of the figure, and I don't think I've ever learned more than I have in Figure Modeling.

one class with a model

Working with clay, and seeing the figure 3 dimensionally solved problems I've been struggling with for years.

two classes with a model

There's something about touching the form it that makes it real, and it gives you a much better idea of what you're drawing later.

one class no model

I can't wait to start applying this to things that aren't real.

A Stick Figure In Charcoal

I havent been keeping up with the weekly updates, but wanted to show off some stuff now that the semesters over.

These are all from Life Drawing, and mostly 5-10 minute poses.

Halfway through the semester Henry Yan was replaced by Matt Crane. Both men are monsters, but Matt really championed the halftone-eraser style, which resonated in a big way for me.

After 15 years of fumbling with charcoal I feel like I'm finally starting to get the hang of the tool, and I'm at the beginnings of a style.

Now to figure out what to do with it.

Sun God: June 18th 2010

The first of hopefully many pieces finished out of my "work in progress" pile. Color always makes me feel like I'm actually doing something.

As a bonus, I actually get to go to this show. You should too.

Red Light

After 3 years of being in each others lives, Roxanne and I have decided to part ways.

I'm moving back to Cleveland to finish school online.

A Stick Figure In Perspective: Week Four & Five

(click on the pictures, and they get bigger)

I've spent a lot of time arguing that art isn't a god given talent, and the past few weeks have done nothing but prove that to me further. What we perceive as a natural style is nothing but a series of decisions (even If that decision is to slack off, or not draw at all) .

Ive compared this experience to boot camp since I was being shipped away from my buddies, and it's even more apt as I learn to slow down and do things right. Learning to measure twice and draw once.

As you can imagine this makes it a lot less fun. I've had my share of warnings of structure killing the passion from art school casualties. While I understand that now more than ever, I think it's nothing but another decision. What doesn't become less romantic with further study? Deciding to stop is falling in love with the praise and not the process.

Because there is no end, there is no good enough, there's only struggle. Whether it's art or anything else.

A Stick Figure In Perspective: Week Three

After my massive "work in progress" post, I haven't drawn one cartoon image, and while it's only been one week, it's very uncharacteristic of me. The benefit has been massive, and in many ways rejuvenating.

Cartooning is in many ways a form of handwriting, at certain times a persona, and in the very least a voice. It's also "everything you do wrong" as Chuck Jones would say. For the past 6 months every piece of new information had to be adapted to my cartooning style, because too much new info would betray my style. In a weird way, betray my place in the world.

Also, holding on to work that I financially can't finish, is a bit soul crushing. What I thought was only artistic blue balls was a self induced pressure which prevented me from moving on to the task at hand. The very simple sounding, but insanely difficult-quasi zen like task of learning to see.

Which causes my current work to look like exactly what it is: An art student trying to figure things out, and maybe it's always looked like that, but this week for the first time in years, it's how I perceive it. Without any style, and without any persona.

I feel like it's the only way I can fix it.

A Stick Figure In Perspective: Week Two

(Go on, touch it. It get's bigger)

My figure modeling professor told me not to worry about my sculpture, but instead focus on the sculpture that I'm making in my mind.

I really feel like that was the case this week, or maybe I'm making excuses for watching Battlestar Galactica re runs.

Goped Seven: Work In Progress

(click for en-big-ening)

Jarvis and Deanna Milne are two of the best folks I know(Which probably isn't saying much considering the company I keep). Every year they throw a party focused around a motorized scooter, and every year I draw a flyer for that party.

They always focus on this helmeted fella, and I try to get a bit more epic each year. but this year they took me to Lola, so I really tried to out do myself.

I'm really only into art for the free dinners anyways.

He's dead now.

Anyways here's an octopus guy with some stuff happening.