April– July 2018 Wk1: Communication Through Line

Everyone can draw.

Well, at least that’s what I believe. If you are able to make a mark on paper or any other surface, then you are able to draw.

Of course, we all will draw differently, and develop drawing ability at different speeds.  Most of this is down to brain patterns and how an individual absorbs, processes and translates information.

Drawing is communication through line (at least, that’s how I understand it) . Each line you draw, whether straight, curved , thick, thin, and how they are connected,  are part of a process of communication. If you ask someone to draw a cat (it doesn’t have to be an amazing drawing of a  cat, it just needs to look like one), most people will be able to carry out the task with some success. The result will be the  communication of an image of a cat without using words.

This is what drawing is. The person drawing or painting, is communicating an idea , whether  via abstract, impressionist or classical  channels.
How you will draw and arrange the lines that communicate a visual will define your style of drawing. This style will develop over a period of time. We will be discussing this later during class.

As we have been looking at drawing the human form, let’s look at how that is communicated via different styles of drawing.
Here are some images that display various interpretations of the same subject matter.

Look closely at what makes them different. What defines each style of drawing.

During class, the tutorial I conduct are drawn via the communication of line that is my style of drawing. It would be easy for a beginner to be influenced by that style of line work, but I believe it  is important that what I draw does not influence your style of drawing, and merely shows you a way forward in either constructing the human or animal form, or composing a picture.

This painting by Vanessa Guy clearly shows that she has developed her own style. If her drawing ability has improved due to the class tutorials, it will be because she has applied the the approach or process offered to her own method of drawing. She has always retained her unique style. I think if Vanessa had faithfully copied my way of drawing, it would have been to the detriment of her art and a loss to those who now enjoy her work.

 Andy West has also developed a consistent and strong visual style with his work.

I love these two drawings by Sarah N. Dipity. The line work is bold and direct. The images display That she is capable of transfering her imagination down onto paper with much success. Her style reminds me of Ted McKeever's work.