Most of the time when people draw something such as a still life, they draw the objects and then neglect everything around the objects, like the table holding it up, and the wall behind it. A drawing like this shows us a thing floating in nothing instead of an interaction of depth, volume, and surfaces inhabiting a full compositional space.
Still life sideboard with apple by Giacometti (1937)
Today’s OBSERVATIONAL Challenge:
Set up a scene, then remove the objects and draw what’s left. Find ways to describe the surfaces such as wall, table, floor or whatever else is in your scene, and make them look solid and interesting. There is no right or wrong way to do this, but if you need a little inspiration, take a look at the Giacometti drawings here. See how he makes marks across the surfaces to activate them and give them surface. #setthestage
Thank you to our drawing teachers Fran O’Neill and Lyall Wallerstedt for giving us this challenge. Interested in exploring this idea in a class? Beginning Drawing and Drawing II both start this week. I’ll be taking Fran’s Drawing II. So fun! Classes are all online so I can zoom in from my comfy spot and munch on snacks. Come join us! Class sizes are small and space is limited, so don’t wait! Click here to see more.
(detail of Giacometti’s still life sideboard)
Post it
To be eligible for prizes (yes prizes!) at the end of the month, post your work to Instagram with #30sal and #setthestage so we can find your post.
To find more followers for your page, you can cut/paste these to your post:
From Richeson: Casein (kay’seen) is a quick-drying, aqueous medium using a milk-based binding agent, and is one of the most durable mediums in history. Nine thousand year old casein cave paintings have been discovered in Asia, and later, the medium was used by Byzantine, Roman and Renaissance artists including the Old Masters. Known for their …
One year ago in March, to protect our students and teachers from a new coronavirus, the Seattle Artist League moved our classes online. The virus was declared a national emergency, and we went into quarantine. We have now been in quarantine for thirteen months. Through this year, we have met each other online to draw, …
New Deadline for Submissions: January 31, 2021 The first annual Seattle Artist League Portrait Awards are aimed at encouraging artists to focus on and develop the theme of portraiture in their work. The competition is open to everyone aged sixteen and over, in recognition of the outstanding and innovative work in drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. 1st Prize: …
Abed Abdi, Muslim Painter Lately I have been interested in what happens to the focus of making art when artists live in politically turbulent times. What happens to your artwork when you feel anxious, confused, frustrated, angry, blindsided, and destabilized? What happens to your artwork when you feel like your opinion is valued, and what …
Day 23: Set the Stage #30SAL
Most of the time when people draw something such as a still life, they draw the objects and then neglect everything around the objects, like the table holding it up, and the wall behind it. A drawing like this shows us a thing floating in nothing instead of an interaction of depth, volume, and surfaces inhabiting a full compositional space.
Today’s OBSERVATIONAL Challenge:
Set up a scene, then remove the objects and draw what’s left. Find ways to describe the surfaces such as wall, table, floor or whatever else is in your scene, and make them look solid and interesting. There is no right or wrong way to do this, but if you need a little inspiration, take a look at the Giacometti drawings here. See how he makes marks across the surfaces to activate them and give them surface. #setthestage
Thank you to our drawing teachers Fran O’Neill and Lyall Wallerstedt for giving us this challenge. Interested in exploring this idea in a class? Beginning Drawing and Drawing II both start this week. I’ll be taking Fran’s Drawing II. So fun! Classes are all online so I can zoom in from my comfy spot and munch on snacks. Come join us! Class sizes are small and space is limited, so don’t wait! Click here to see more.
Post it
To be eligible for prizes (yes prizes!) at the end of the month, post your work to Instagram with #30sal and #setthestage so we can find your post.
To find more followers for your page, you can cut/paste these to your post:
#30sal #setthestage #vnotes #creativechallenge #januarychallenge #drawingchallenge #drawing #art #sketch #artchallenge #artist #draw #artistsoninstagram #sketchbook #instaart #artwork #drawingoftheday #dailydrawing #oilpainting #mixedmedia #drawingsketch #artoftheday #creativity
Padlet
Don’t have Instagram? Post your work to Padlet.
DAY 23: SET THE STAGE https://seattleartistleague.padlet.org/SAL/p7q2x2le410zm3b9
DAY 22: REVERSE PERSPECTIVE https://seattleartistleague.padlet.org/SAL/zady37uhzbw40wso
DAY 21: BACCHUS & ARIADNE https://seattleartistleague.padlet.org/SAL/ae63k1leakeqttu5
Deadline for Prizes
Deadline for submissions: 3 days after each challenge post.
January prize winners will be announced in February.
To learn more about the 30SAL Challenge, click here.
Online drawing classes start this week!
Related Posts
What is Casein?
From Richeson: Casein (kay’seen) is a quick-drying, aqueous medium using a milk-based binding agent, and is one of the most durable mediums in history. Nine thousand year old casein cave paintings have been discovered in Asia, and later, the medium was used by Byzantine, Roman and Renaissance artists including the Old Masters. Known for their …
Online Anniversary Show: Figures and Interiors
One year ago in March, to protect our students and teachers from a new coronavirus, the Seattle Artist League moved our classes online. The virus was declared a national emergency, and we went into quarantine. We have now been in quarantine for thirteen months. Through this year, we have met each other online to draw, …
Portrait Awards
New Deadline for Submissions: January 31, 2021 The first annual Seattle Artist League Portrait Awards are aimed at encouraging artists to focus on and develop the theme of portraiture in their work. The competition is open to everyone aged sixteen and over, in recognition of the outstanding and innovative work in drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. 1st Prize: …
Abed Abdi
Abed Abdi, Muslim Painter Lately I have been interested in what happens to the focus of making art when artists live in politically turbulent times. What happens to your artwork when you feel anxious, confused, frustrated, angry, blindsided, and destabilized? What happens to your artwork when you feel like your opinion is valued, and what …