Monday, September 30, 2013

Second Element of ART... SHAPE, Lessons in Art by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Lesson Two
Seven Elements of ART

SHAPE
( We have done Line and this week we are doing Shape.)


When contemplating shapes and all the many times I have taught shape to younger students, it consisted of drawings of three shapes and creating a composition with it.  

For the example I chose a rectangle, a circle and a triangle.  You can see there are endless combinations for those three objects, but the key is training your eye for composition and what really works with balance to the eye.  There are also other factors, is the surface a square, a rectangle horizontal or vertical?

Going a little bit further sharing some ideas that are more fun, and maybe this week I would have time to explore it too... is the idea of creating a mandala.  Originally Hinduism/Buddism, Mandalas have come down through the centuries as part of our art, with many parts filtering into all faiths.   

Painted 17th Century Tibetan "Five Deity Mandala


Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

Mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल Maṇḍala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T.  Mandalas often exhibit radial balance.  The term is of Hindu origin. It appears in the Rig Veda as the name of the sections of the work, but is also used in other Indian religions, particularly Buddhism.   In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.  In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.

Why Mandalas?  They use shape to create the art... reflecting shapes that leave balance to the soul and the eye.  

When I look at the Book of Hours, the Celtic cross (one is around my neck), the rosary, the halo, the crown of thorns, and rose windows.... you can find it crossing into the Christian faith by design.  See below....

In my art classes we study the Book of Hours for a six week period, delving into the history and the creation of our individual pages for our own Book of Hours, a prayer book.



You can see in the repeating shapes and design the similarities to the Mandalas using repeating shapes and patterns. 

As I mentioned, the Celtic Cross is another example of the designs used from the Mandalas, as well as the Rose Windows found in many Christian churches.
 


Why Mandalas?  They use shape to create the art... reflecting shapes that leave balance to the soul and the eye.  

So as you do your shape studies this week, you might want to try a Mandala.
I found this wonderful blog of Mandalas to color.  

http://coloringmandalas.blogspot.com/

 



I also found many samples on YouTube but my favorite was this one. Enjoy your week and think of all the different things to do with shape this week. Keep it simple and have fun.  



Monday, September 23, 2013

Contour Drawings, Element Line with Texas Artists Laurie Pace

CONTOUR DRAWING   Element of Art: Line
  © G.O.D. Laurie Justus Pace      Graphics One Design 2013

Thursday... it is Thursday right?

I decided today to try something different. I have zero idea if I can keep up with it or keep up with you, so let's give it a try.   I have taught workshops for a few years now, but my strength is teaching art.  Not just painting, but teaching art. I have taught art for over 35 years. Just typing this makes me feel old, but I truly have. I have taught in my studio all this time, did about 5 years in private school and probably 6 years in public school in Art.  Having you paint with me daily like other artists do is good, but strengthening your composition skills and sharpening your knowledge in art really gives you a stronger foundation as an artist with your paintings, drawings, sculpting etc.

When I teach a workshop much goes into prep for the class and I stress how important it is to set up an area and be ready to make art. I hope you will go ahead and do that if you do not have an area.  This first lesson is using only two things.. a pencil and a sketch pad. Nothing more or less tool wise, but add to it your eye and learning composition and line and we will jump right in.

There are seven elements in art. Every time I teach a lesson, you need to figure out what elements we are using in that lesson. This first lesson is on something simple, "line".  We are going to do a contour drawing...actually I hope you will do them for a few days.  Find something in the room to draw and pick up your pencil and begin.
  

BUT... you cannot look at your sketch pad and you cannot lift your pencil. The line is ONE CONTINUOUS LINE.  You start and when you stop or lift your pencil you are done.  No cheating and no looking at your sketch pad or you defeat the purpose of strengthening your eye and 'feeling' your way through a drawing. No erasing, no looking...only one continuous line. Start to stop. You can go soft, hard, or in between but you cannot look or lift your pencil.





This first one was drawing my mug of paint brushes in my studio. I knew it would be both fast and fun.  This is suppose to be fun. 



















This was of my easel and quite a bit harder.  Then I spotted those paints and my paper palette. I pulled my chair close and put the pencil to the sketch pad.



This should be quite freeing to you. Sketching fast is totally different than one continuous line.  You hand is moving and NOT looking at anything but the object you are drawing. You are after the CONTOUR of what is there. You are studying LINE.  Good luck with yours and let me know how you are doing. This will be the first time I use the InLinkz Link up.  

So please join me by sharing yours. 



An InLinkz Link-up


 A Texas Artist
 Laurie Pace

http://ellepace.com

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Coming Soon! Art Lessons with Laurie Pace

COMING SOON... Art Lessons will be appearing!  Join me when you can... we will start once a week starting this coming Thursday.


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