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.