Teaching – EMILY CARR CD&A ARCHIVED

A Composition Technique

Composition is, of course, an important skill to develop. Many books have been written on the subject. DaVinci is reported to have recommended that young painters look at mold stains on the walls and try to see landscapes. This is sometimes referred to as ‘forced’ or re-purposed composition. Henry Rankin Poore wrote on it in the 1800’s and is worth looking up.

The example here begins with a random picture of flowers. This is analyzed by gestural sketch. Next, look at the gestural study until you imagine a completely different subject image based on the original compositional layout. This seems a bit forced at the start, but it becomes easier and quite enjoyable as you do it more often. In this case one can see ‘a race between two cyclists watched by spectators.‘

Stave Church Perspective 1 of 2 Cda {Su 2017}

Stave Church Perspective 2 of 2 Cda {Su 2017}

LINEWEIGHTS (2016)

I worked as a draftsman long ago. One of the techniques draftsmen learn is to apply a systematic ‘hierarchy of lineweights’ to enhance and clarify their drawings. Every draftsman learns to do this. It is important because it adds clarity and a kind of richness to drawings. You can also see it at work in comic books and skilled illustration of all kinds. There are probably several different systems for deciding on lineweights. Here is mine. I am showing it in a very simple way, but like a lot of seemingly simple things, it adds more than you would think.

Congrats to this young woman! I am very happy for you! (Hard work to come, but just put one foot in front of the other – you’ll make it :)

Hi Tony,

I am thrilled to tell you that I am accepted to the Master of Architecture program at UBC!

I think this wouldn’t have happened without your support.

Thank you so much for your advice, good feedback and all your support.

I can’t appreciate enough.

Best Regards, Ms JJ

COMPOSING GROUPS OF FIGURES FOR STREET SCENES

Please note: Some video tutorials are exclusive to students currently enrolled in courses at Emily Carr. If you are already logged in but you cannot access this content, if may be because you do not have the required membership level. Please contact Tony if you are interested in a course.

Ecuad Cda & Persp Day 6 Entourage People Composing Groups In Streets (vid 2 of 4){april 3 2016}

Often you want to place figures and clusters of figures in an area like a street or plaza. This image shows how I think of it in terms of composition. Of course, you also want to think of activities, such as walking to and fro or at angles, male, female, kids, walking away or toward the viewer, standing, sitting, etc., but this is the basic thinking: The figures create ‘plane-blocks’ and between them will be ‘spaces’ or ‘look-throughs’. These need to be arranged in an aesthetically interesting and rhythmically spaced way. I start with the foreground people, then midground, background, and lastly distant planes (if needed). I pay attention to the 3d space-holes (look-throughs) and to placement of feet on the ground plane. Then I think “What can I delete, how should I crop?”. If I am being really careful I will do this on tracing paper so I can move things around before I finalize. Along the way, I use either the clothesline or measuring wall methods, as may be appropriate, to keep the perspective more or less correct. Also, browse around in the “Face and Figure” Category for video demos on drawing scale figures.

Category: Teaching – EMILY CARR CD&A ARCHIVED