Learning Objectives
Students will demonstrate technical proficiency using conte crayon. Students will be able to accurately render observed value changes and forms through their drawings. Students will be able to create engaging and interesting compositions.
Mini-Assignments
Conte can be a very fussy material. It does not erase well and when black and white conte are blended, the grey that is made is not very attractive. These mini-assignments are designed to help you get the most from the material.
1. Take a sheet of paper and crumple it up. Set it on a table and light it so that the shadows are not too harsh. In your sketchbook, use black conte to draw the sheet of paper. Focus on trying to draw the soft shadows; this will mean that you will have to control how hard you press down with the conte. Once conte is applied, it is very difficult to erase, almost impossible.
2. Using a sheet of grey paper or a brown grocery bag, draw the same piece of crumpled paper. This time however, use both black and white conte. Experiment with blending the conte with paper towels, rags, chamois and blending stumps.
Materials
Sketchbook
18” x 24” sheet of gray drawing paper
Black and White Conte
Kneaded Eraser
Viewfinder
Mini-Assignment
1. Work out several different compositions in your sketchbook
2. Create a 10 step value scale in your sketchbook.
Process
After setting up the still life of mannequin legs, use your sketchbook and a viewfinder to locate and draw interesting compositions. Sketch out multiple compositions from different positions in your sketchbook. Zoom in close, squat or kneel, stand on a stool to find the most engaging composition. After you have chosen the best composition, use black and white conte to work out the drawing on the 18” x 24” sheet of gray drawing paper.
The goal of this assignment is to focus on values, composition and proportion. Try to choose a portion of the still life that gives you the widest range of values to work with. As you are drawing, step back and look at your work. Hang it on the board and back up 10 – 20 feet so you will better understand how the values are working. Squint. Pay close attention to proportions. Remember to always start with the gesture and work out the composition, movement, and proportions at the gesture level. Once the gesture is complete you should start working in the values. Your drawing should look like the still life. Objects that are round and smooth should appear round and smooth in your drawing. Items that are rough should appear rough.
Artists
Michelangelo
Rembrandt
Susan D’Amato
