COMPOSITION: Parts of the Puzzle

Nancy Aguilar

Last Thursday students finished their composition studies. Nancy's series above exhibits very dynamic shapes complemented by quick, swooping rhythms and movements. She has effectively balanced the positive and negative areas by dividing the field with large and small shapes. In addition, the images all project a strong sense of action by the claw-like menacing shapes reaching for and encircling the other elements.

COMPOSITION: Parts of the Puzzle

Yesterday students began making thumbnail sketches and cutting the pieces for the Puzzle Parts project. Today will be a work day followed by a critique before we break for the weekend.

SHAPE: Representation Vs. Distortion

Lisset Miranda

Yesterday students completed part two of the second shape project. First, students made a background of compartments. Notice the balance of the diagonal yellow rectangles supported by the large blue rectangle in Lisset's collage above. The second part was to place silhouettes of a tool that gradually becomes more distorted. But, the distortions are not random. Each rectangle must achieve Notan; the balance between light and dark. In other words, the negative areas must be treated with the same importance as the positive areas. The long silhouette on the right is the representational image. Notice the "pen-like tip" in the negative area of the handle. This motif is repeated throughout the modifications adding unity to the overall design. Although the original is a bit tight in its box, all the distorted silhouettes are well balanced with interesting negative areas as well as the positive areas.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SHAPE: Expansion of the Square

Monica Contreras

Monday began with a lecture on Shape. We discussed the differences between geometric and organic shapes, positive and negative, shape and form  as well as the affects of shape on content. The project involved cutting linear and shape elements from a 5 inch square of black paper and flipping them over to create a symmetrically balanced design.

LINE: The Illusion of Space

Carson Blodow

Class began with a discussion on the Principles of Design (see tab above). The project involved developing the illusion of space by drawing vertical or horizontal parallel lines across a composition of nonobjective shapes (circles, squares, rectangles and half circles). Carson's drawing above illustrates how a series of parallel lines will suggest a texture as well as tonalities. The composition is asymmetrically balanced with a movement established from the dark circle in the lower left, moving up to the triangle on the right and up again to the circles in the upper left corner. Depth is established by the diminishing size of the shapes as well as their diagonal, zig-zagging placement within the composition.

LINE: Line Dynamics

Taylor Ruffin

The objective of the day was to create the illusion of space by means of line drawings. We discussed cropping, symmetry vs. asymmetry and the distal cues (see tabs above for more info). Generally speaking the most dynamic compositions include diagonals and curved lines. Taylor's drawing above exhibits a curving central axis of discs moving away from the viewer and then back. The horizontal parallel lines establish the ground plane converging towards the horizon line. In addition, she has made the ground plane (foreground) a lighter value and the sky (background) darker.

LINE: Characteristics of Line

Class began with a slide lecture on the characteristics and types of line. The first drawing was a line inventory. Students explored the qualities and differences of four different types of lines. Belen's drawing illustrates straight, curving, zig-zag and looping lines. By expanding and zooming in on the lines as she moves down the columns, the negative space is diminished increasing the tension and its relevance within the composition.

Belen Chavez Silva

The second drawing was an exercise called Four Lines, Four Times. The objective was to explore the advantages of working with a singular line family as well as a combination of multiple line families. All students used straight, curved and angular lines and a mix of the three together. Notice how the overall weight of the page increases moving down the columns. Although Nancy has clearly addressed three different types of line, the bold, graphic nature of her renderings create a sense of unity across the entire paper. The last column of combinations is especially successful taking advantage of the qualities of each line family to create a very dynamic and compelling shape.

Nancy Aguilar