Figures

Figures

Essential Questions

1. What can we learn from the figure that will transfer to all other art mediums? Can it be applied? Why is the human figure a challenge to draw and paint accurately? Why is the human figure a prevalent subject throughout history? And why does it have so many different interpretations? Does culture change or redefine the human figure?

Drawing is the ‘bones’ of art. You have to be able to walk before you can run (Dion Archibald). What do you think this means? Is it the bones for all art? Is this still true for today?

1. Students will be able to draw the human figure accurately displaying normative proportional relationships of the body’s parts to the whole

-Students will depict the figure in a variety of poses using foreshortening (linear perspective).

-Students will draw the figure so that the illusion of volume is achieved through a variety of shading techniques; such as, graduated continuous tones, cross contour lines, and cross hatching.

-Students will convey jesture, the illusion of expressive movement, when drawing the figure spontaneously in very brief periods of time.

-Students will simplify, exaggerate, or distort visual elements and normative proportions to interpret qualities of the figure.

1. As a class we will explore fashion figure drawing, gesture drawing, comic/novel figure drawing, and sculpture in its relation to drawing.

2. As a class we will research and look at various artworks from cultures that have used the human figure in different art forms. Students will pick one artist who deals with the human figure to further their research on the figures visual complexity. The student will then give a 5 minute presentation on their artist. Students will not only look at the history behind the artwork but also the ideas and cultural identities that are tied to the artwork its self.

1. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Drawing from model (gesture drawing, blind contour)

Draw-front, back, side views of model (Quick sketches)

Draw skeleton positioning

Draw figure with volume, thinking about skeletal placement and muscles

Begin shading exercises using conte, crayon, and charcoal

Continue volumetric drawing using mass lines to give the illusion of form through linear shading, cross hatching, and cross contour.

Gesture drawing, exploring ink, pen, and wash techniques

Gesture drawing using continuous tone and drawing using shading of powdered charcoal.

Value drawings

Contour drawings

1. ARTISTS

Linda Stojak

Barbra Goodman

Kerry James Marshall

Tanya Laing

Elizabeth Peyton

Chuck Close

Adrian Tomine

Fred Wilson

Robert Longo

Kent Williams

John Collier

Brad Holland

Frank Miller

Mike Mignola

FINAL PROJECT

Students will have the choice of recreating a page from a graphic novel that included figures, create a fashion figure drawing, or recreate a master work of the human figure put into a modern context. Students should research the context of the figures and their relation to subject matter. Students will present their art in an exhibition with their inspiration next to their own art piece.

1. CONCEPTUAL GOALS

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the human form and its relation to the spirit

Students will be able to make connections between culture, religion, and the human figure.

Students will come to understand their own culture and the modern context of the human figure.