In my current series of abstraction classes, each week we focus on a single element of art. Honing in like this allows us to explore different ways into a painting or drawing. By narrowing down, we are able to go farther into an idea. These projects were made in response to a class on line (an online class on line, if you must). For this, line was emphasized as a way to move the viewer around the page, as pathways. These “simple” sketches by students are elegant, thoughtful, and captivating. Below are a few compositional studies of debris piles by Dawn Carlsen.
Dawn Carlsen
Dawn Carlsen
Dawn Carlsen
Dawn Carlsen
This handsome and considerate study of a backyard playset by Elisabeth Tripathi looked like it might benefit from a solution to the lower two ends. We tried adding some possibilities digitally to see how we might finish it off.
Elisabeth Tripathi
(with digital edits)
“One of the line drawings we looked at was a yellow background with a simple line cube that really stuck with me and I decided to select a more neutral (by way of de kooning) background to make sure color or texture didn’t start to come to the forefront. It was a great exercise to challenge me!” “This piece came out of doing 60 quick line drawing thumbnails from my backyard. Thanks for reminding me about Franz Kline’s phonebook [sketches].” – Elisabeth Tripathi
This online format is changing the way I teach, and my classes are benefiting from it. Every week I have a slideshow of works and a collection of inspirations for a series of quick studies, then a larger challenge (using whatever materials you have on hand), and homework to integrate some of the ideas you found in class into your own personal style and interests. Since each week we have a singular focus, people are able to jump in to catch the next topic and not feel they are behind, so I have opened up these classes to welcome newcomers. If you would like to join us as we continue with our studies into abstractions, see below. We’d love to see what you make!
Few things are as evocative, intimate, and private as moments spent bathing. The bathtub offers an emotional framework. Door locked, body submerged, the bathtub is an internal world. The figure can literally be soaked in it. Most painted bathers are young attractive women, of course, so the gender, race, and body issues are very present. I’d …
Daphne Minkoff’s latest exhibition, “Facades,” at Harris Harvey Gallery, offers an immersive look into Seattle’s evolving urban landscape. Minkoff, a Seattle-based artist with a special appreciation for urban landscapes, documents our longing for security as it succumbs to inevitable change. Minkoff’s paintings oscillate between hard shadows and low, dull, diffused light, mirroring Seattle’s characteristic lighting. …
Fierce Women of Art In the same breath that I will say “please don’t ever refer to my gender before you refer to my work” I will share this list of lady artists, because … sometimes you have to be a big pill when society is sick. Huff, sigh, shuffle, and growl. Go get ’em …
[image_with_animation image_url=”7670″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Find a stone you can comfortably hold in your hand. Without looking at it, spend a few minutes exploring it with your hands. Close your eyes. Feel the weight of the stone, the shape and balance and texture of it. Get to know it as well as you …
Abstracting Line
In my current series of abstraction classes, each week we focus on a single element of art. Honing in like this allows us to explore different ways into a painting or drawing. By narrowing down, we are able to go farther into an idea. These projects were made in response to a class on line (an online class on line, if you must). For this, line was emphasized as a way to move the viewer around the page, as pathways. These “simple” sketches by students are elegant, thoughtful, and captivating. Below are a few compositional studies of debris piles by Dawn Carlsen.
This handsome and considerate study of a backyard playset by Elisabeth Tripathi looked like it might benefit from a solution to the lower two ends. We tried adding some possibilities digitally to see how we might finish it off.
“One of the line drawings we looked at was a yellow background with a simple line cube that really stuck with me and I decided to select a more neutral (by way of de kooning) background to make sure color or texture didn’t start to come to the forefront. It was a great exercise to challenge me!”
“This piece came out of doing 60 quick line drawing thumbnails from my backyard. Thanks for reminding me about Franz Kline’s phonebook [sketches].” – Elisabeth Tripathi
This online format is changing the way I teach, and my classes are benefiting from it. Every week I have a slideshow of works and a collection of inspirations for a series of quick studies, then a larger challenge (using whatever materials you have on hand), and homework to integrate some of the ideas you found in class into your own personal style and interests. Since each week we have a singular focus, people are able to jump in to catch the next topic and not feel they are behind, so I have opened up these classes to welcome newcomers. If you would like to join us as we continue with our studies into abstractions, see below. We’d love to see what you make!
Abstracts (MINI) 2 Fridays 10:00-1:30 starts 4/24
Abstracts 6 Fridays 10:00-1:30 starts 4/24
Related Posts
In the Bathtub
Few things are as evocative, intimate, and private as moments spent bathing. The bathtub offers an emotional framework. Door locked, body submerged, the bathtub is an internal world. The figure can literally be soaked in it. Most painted bathers are young attractive women, of course, so the gender, race, and body issues are very present. I’d …
Daphne Minkoff’s Façades
Daphne Minkoff’s latest exhibition, “Facades,” at Harris Harvey Gallery, offers an immersive look into Seattle’s evolving urban landscape. Minkoff, a Seattle-based artist with a special appreciation for urban landscapes, documents our longing for security as it succumbs to inevitable change. Minkoff’s paintings oscillate between hard shadows and low, dull, diffused light, mirroring Seattle’s characteristic lighting. …
Fierce Women of Art – Guerrilla Girls
Fierce Women of Art In the same breath that I will say “please don’t ever refer to my gender before you refer to my work” I will share this list of lady artists, because … sometimes you have to be a big pill when society is sick. Huff, sigh, shuffle, and growl. Go get ’em …
SAL Challenge Day 13: Touch Senses, Drawing a Stone
[image_with_animation image_url=”7670″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Find a stone you can comfortably hold in your hand. Without looking at it, spend a few minutes exploring it with your hands. Close your eyes. Feel the weight of the stone, the shape and balance and texture of it. Get to know it as well as you …