Upcoming Class - Focus on Figure Drawing

  

ink and white chalk, 10" x 8"

I am looking forward to teaching again at Artspace this Spring.  We will start with a "Focus on Figure Drawing".    

Working from a live model, you will develop an understanding of proper proportions, structure and basic anatomy of the human figure. We will use a variety of short gesture poses and work toward longer sustained poses using a variety of drawing mediums. Basic principles of drawing will be discussed to explore the use of line variation, and methods of blocking in volumetric forms to represent the expressive qualities of the human figure. This class will strengthen your drawing ability whether you are an absolute beginner or advanced student. Supply list provided upon registration.

Thursdays, March 20, 27, April 3, 10 & 17 
6-9pm
Tuition: $180 members/$200
REGISTER HERE

charcoal on grey paper, 24" x 18"

conte on watercolor toned paper, 17.5 x 11.5

pastel on paper, 24" x 18"

I hope to see you in the class.  It should be a fun and informative five classes.  Please sign up early by either calling or using the link above.  Happy drawing!

Artspace

201 E. Davie St

Raleigh, NC  

919-821-2787

www.artspacenc.org

Daniel Sprick

This past week I had the ultimate pleasure of spending time in Philadelphia with my very good friends Diane Feissel, Rachel Constantine and fellow NC artist Susan Lyon.  We were all enrolled in a workshop at the esteemed Studio Incamminati taught by the incredible Colorado artist Daniel Sprick.  There have been several posts on facebook and on the other artist's blogs about this workshop (Philly artist William Sentman did two great posts on the workshop which you can read by clicking: Day 1 or Day 2 and Diane Feissel did a great post titled Sprick).

Here are some photos of the experience with a few captions. 

Painting at Rachel's beautiful studio on Thursday before the weekend workshop.

(left to right: Sue Lyon, Diane Feissel, Daniel Sprick & Rachel Constantine off camera to left)

 Saturday, Day 1. Drawing

Daniel's final drawing demo.

Daniel starts another drawing demo from the model.

Daniel's final figure drawing demo.

My drawing of model Ron.

Day 2. Painting!

Susan Lyon taking Daniel's seat.

Daniel Sprick's palette.

Daniel's final painting demo (detail below)

My painting from the workshop.

Many thanks to Rachel and Diane for your amazing hospitality; to Daniel for the wonderful experience; to Studio Incamminati for hosting this great workshop and also a huge thank you to the lovely Lea Colie Wight for lending me your spare drawing board and paper.  Philly is full of amazing people!! 

Summer Figure Drawing

Here are a few quick sketch figure drawings from this summer.  None of the poses were longer than 20 minutes.

June Figure Drawing Class - RICA

I am pleased to announce that I will be teaching Figure Drawing this summer at Raleigh Institute of Contemporary Art.  In the summers, RICA offers 2 weeks sessions (to more easily accommodate those who wish to go on vacation).  Starting in June, I will be teaching 2 week sessions of Figure Drawing on Sundays.  Here is the class description:

Working from the live model, students will develop an understanding of proper proportions, structure and basic anatomy of the human figure. We will use a variety of short gesture poses and work toward longer sustained poses. Basic principles of drawing will be discussed to explore the use of line variation, and methods of blocking in of volumetric forms to represent the expressive qualities of the human figure. This class with strengthen your drawing ability whether you are an absolute beginner or advanced student.

June Sessions:

Sundays June 5 & 12 1-4pm

Sundays June 19 & 26 1-4pm

You can sign up by visiting the Class 2011 page or by calling 919-800-0208

Also, the un-instructed Open Figure Drawing sessions will continue every Thursday night 7-10pm.  This is a good way to practice what you learn for only $10/ night or $8 for currently enrolled RICA students. 

Raleigh Institute of Contemporary Art

424 S. Dawson St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

919-800-0208

www.ricanc.com

Quick Sketch Drawing - Spring 2011

Here is an assortment of figure drawings from my sketchbook since February of 2011.  These are all quick sketches that were anywhere from 1 to 20 minute poses.  Enjoy and comments are welcome.

Random Life Drawings

RADIO Interview!

I am so very excited to share with you an interview that aired today on a local NPR station - 88.5 WFDD's Triad Arts Up Close.  David Ford did an amazing job condensing our 30 minute conversation into an eloquent interview about my work as well as my philosophies on Art.  This interview coincides with an Artist Lecture that I will be giving at the Green Hill Center for NC Art in Greensboro this Wednesday October 20th at 5:30-6:30.  I will be talking about my work in general as well as my layered vellum drawings that are included in the Drawing Revisited exhibition. 

Thank you to David Ford for a wonderful first experience!  I am so honored to be on your fantastic radio program.


You can hear the interview by clicking "listen" on the following link: Triad Arts Up Close

It's Elementary

On Sunday, I had the distinct pleasure of working with two parents who have a child in my daughter's class.  Earlier this year, I was approached by the school's Art Teacher, who asked if I would be willing to do a video interview on portraiture for 3rd - 5th graders.  Well an interview turned into a video demonstration of a how I would approach the portrait in charcoal.  I asked one of the moms from the class if she could volunteer her time as my model.  She not only offered that, but also the very skilled hand of her husband, a professional film maker.  Whoa - no pressure now!  The three of us managed to have a fantastically funny and productive afternoon.  I was able (between out-takes) to present some pretty big concepts and technical approaches to the portrait, yet in an easily digestible way for any 3rd grader to understand (hopefully).  Here is the drawing that was created for the demo.  All in all, I think I had about 2 hours in on this drawing.  It will be fun to see the full edited version of the video and especially to hear of the children's reactions!  How amazing to be a part of something for our future artists.  Thank you to my fantastic model and her camera man.  Also, I am quite grateful to Mrs. M for the wonderful opportunity and for her extraordinary efforts to share her love of Art with our children.

Portrait Demo, charcoal on paper, 24" x 18"

Green Hill Opening Photos

Here are a few photos from the Opening Reception of the Drawing Revisited exhibition at the Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art.  It was a lovely night with some friends from Raleigh and a huge turn out for the show.  It was so packed I wasn't able to get any decent shots of the show overall.  I will however be going back and will take more shots of some of my favorites from the exhibit as well as the beautiful space.  Thank you to artist Susan Martin for taking these few .photos.  Her net drawings are really beautiful and intriguing as well as very hard to photograph.        

To see a previous post on Drawing Revisited you can click here.  Thank you to Edie Carpenter, Mario Gallucci, and Emily Shank for this wonderful exhibit.    

Artist Kiki Farish and myself

Autumn Fun: Part I

This Autumn is going to be packed with great exhibitions and adventures for me.  I am so looking forward to the coming crisp air because with it will come a flurry of activity.  I am so happy to share with you that I will have my work included in several prestigious invitational exhibitions here in North Carolina as well as a group figurative show that is near and dear to my heart in Charleston, South Carolina.

 Images left to right by artists: Tamie Beldue, Kreh Mellick and Alia El-Bermani

First off, in September I will have three of my layered vellum drawings included in an exhibition titled Drawing Revisited at the Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art.  The Opening Reception is September 10, 2010 5:30 - 7:30 and will continue through October 29th.  "Drawing Revisited is a major survey of North Carolina artists working in a medium which in the digital age may appear to be a slow and intimate art form.  Drawings from more than fifty artist, both renowned and newly notable will be on view.  Over 200 works on paper in graphite, watercolor, artist's crayon, wash, charcoal and ink will attest to the ongoing vitality of drawing.  Related programs will include lunchtime artist's talks, figure drawing workshops, and an audio tour for children and families."  In fact, I have been asked to give an Artist's Lecture on my work on Wednesday, October 20th at 5:30.  I will be presenting 'slides' of my work both painting and drawing.  I am quite honored to also have been chosen as one of the artists whose image was reproduced for the invitation you see above.  

 Artist Proof, Julie, charcoal on layered vellum, 38" x 25"

For those of you who are unfamiliar with my "Layered Vellum Drawings" I think I should explain.  This series of large scale, charcoal drawings investigate the concept of layers.  I am interested in the physical layers of my chosen medium as well as representing the internal, psychological layers of my sitters.  Each complete drawing is made of up several (as little as two and as many as four) drawings on separate sheets of vellum, which are then flattened one a top another to create the final image.  Often, I have included symbols such as pattern and still life objects to further represent my subjects.  As with painting, the under layers of these drawings are not always as clear as those on the surface.  This in fact, is an intentional use of the semi-transparent vellum.  The further the layer recedes from the viewer, the more ghosted the drawing appears.  It's a nice physical representation of the deeper layers we all have obscured within us.

Layered Self Portrait, charcoal on layered vellum, 94" x 45"

Colin, charcoal on layered vellum, 38" x 25"

200 N. Davie Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
http://www.greenhillcenter.org/ 

If you are near Greensboro, I hope you will be able to join me for either the Opening Reception on September 10th or the Artist Lecture on October 20th.