Altered Esthetics is a gallery in Northeast Minneapolis that I've mentioned before. They're a non-profit art organization that gives many artists their first opportunity to show work in a gallery (myself included). They have monthly art openings, artist talks, workshops, mentor programs for new artists, and more.
One of their new events this year is Suit Up Ae. Every third Wednesday of the month 6:30 - 8:30pm Ae provides an evening of figure drawing. Volunteers dress up in costumes and anyone is free to come and draw for two hours. There is a suggested donation of $3, which is very reasonable. If you have a student who wants to further their drawing skills this is a fun and low key opportunity to do so.
There's just something special about making art in the company of other artistically inclined souls. And there's no comparison to drawing from real life--you can obsess over the details from a photograph ad infinitum, but a model can only hold a pose so long. Life drawing teaches you to focus on the important details and not worry about the little things so much. It can be challenging but it's a lot of fun.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Article: More Drawing Advice Than Anyone Wanted
The artist of a webcomic I follow recently wrote up a great essay about drawing and learning to be yourself as an artist.
"Anyone who has any aptitude at drawing will be asked at some point “how do I learn how to do that?”, and it seems to me that when people care to go into a more elaborate response than “Practice all the time” they are usually advising people to read up on a lot of Hogarth and Loomis, and learn all of the fundamentals before they start trying to get creative. I think one of the best pieces of drawing advice for beginners I ever saw was once upon a time on DeviantArt when Modus Operandi’s artist Tish Doolin told someone that if you were just picking up a pencil and trying this drawing thing out for the first time, it’s going to benefit you more to draw things that you have fun with than struggling with dry fundamentals right out of the gate."
You can read the rest of her post here. It's pretty long, but it's good reading. Expressing yourself artistically takes investing some time and effort into the endeavor. She uses the analogy of learning a new language--you don't expect to be fluent after paging through a few pages of a Spanish textbook, likewise you're not going to be Monet after painting once or twice.
She references and links to several helpful resources, one of which is this essay/tutorial.
I've come across similar guides in the past, but I found this particular one to be very well done and quite informative. It's surprisingly academic (but not in a over-your-head incomprehensible way) in that it's not simply about drawing. To draw well, you have to understand some basic ideas. To draw really well and to own your artistic style, you also have to know some art theory, which is not as scary as it sounds. I've referred to the landmark graphic novel Understanding Comics by Scott Mccloud in the past. This essay paraphrases a lot of his ideas into simpler, shorter form. I'd suggest reading the book for a fuller understanding of symbols and the styles of representation in art.
"Anyone who has any aptitude at drawing will be asked at some point “how do I learn how to do that?”, and it seems to me that when people care to go into a more elaborate response than “Practice all the time” they are usually advising people to read up on a lot of Hogarth and Loomis, and learn all of the fundamentals before they start trying to get creative. I think one of the best pieces of drawing advice for beginners I ever saw was once upon a time on DeviantArt when Modus Operandi’s artist Tish Doolin told someone that if you were just picking up a pencil and trying this drawing thing out for the first time, it’s going to benefit you more to draw things that you have fun with than struggling with dry fundamentals right out of the gate."
You can read the rest of her post here. It's pretty long, but it's good reading. Expressing yourself artistically takes investing some time and effort into the endeavor. She uses the analogy of learning a new language--you don't expect to be fluent after paging through a few pages of a Spanish textbook, likewise you're not going to be Monet after painting once or twice.
She references and links to several helpful resources, one of which is this essay/tutorial.
I've come across similar guides in the past, but I found this particular one to be very well done and quite informative. It's surprisingly academic (but not in a over-your-head incomprehensible way) in that it's not simply about drawing. To draw well, you have to understand some basic ideas. To draw really well and to own your artistic style, you also have to know some art theory, which is not as scary as it sounds. I've referred to the landmark graphic novel Understanding Comics by Scott Mccloud in the past. This essay paraphrases a lot of his ideas into simpler, shorter form. I'd suggest reading the book for a fuller understanding of symbols and the styles of representation in art.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Artist: Kendall Bohn
I met Kendall Bohn the other day at the California Arts Building where he has his studio. My attention was grabbed by his paintings displayed in the hallway, which reminded me a lot of Henri Rousseau's. Kendall's paintings have that same dreamlike quality with vivid colors and undulating shapes. But he doesn't only paint, sculptures and ceramics are also part of his repertoire. And he's a graphic designer on top of that. That's what you call a jack of all trades!
What I really want to share with you is Kendall's series of coloring books, Kaleidoscopia. So many coloring books these days are overtly simplified and dumbed down, as if publishers think kids can't focus enough to color in even the most basic shapes. If your child loves to color and gets bored with the typical fare available, the Kaleidoscopia series is for them. There is no way you can finish these pictures in just a few minutes. The Abstract books caught my eye the most, but there's also dinosaur and fantasy titles available. There's a free coloring page from each Kaleidoscopia title available for download.
You can buy the books online at the Kaleidoscopia site, and they're available at a number of retailers, like Creative Kidstuff, as well.
You can also visit Kendall's studio in the California Arts Building during the open studios event every second Saturday of the month. He showed me some of the original drawings he did for the coloring books, which was pretty cool. I also got to see the work for the next Abstract coloring book coming out this summer, which is going to have twice as many pages as previous titles.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm inspired to go doodle in my sketchbook.
What I really want to share with you is Kendall's series of coloring books, Kaleidoscopia. So many coloring books these days are overtly simplified and dumbed down, as if publishers think kids can't focus enough to color in even the most basic shapes. If your child loves to color and gets bored with the typical fare available, the Kaleidoscopia series is for them. There is no way you can finish these pictures in just a few minutes. The Abstract books caught my eye the most, but there's also dinosaur and fantasy titles available. There's a free coloring page from each Kaleidoscopia title available for download.
You can buy the books online at the Kaleidoscopia site, and they're available at a number of retailers, like Creative Kidstuff, as well.
You can also visit Kendall's studio in the California Arts Building during the open studios event every second Saturday of the month. He showed me some of the original drawings he did for the coloring books, which was pretty cool. I also got to see the work for the next Abstract coloring book coming out this summer, which is going to have twice as many pages as previous titles.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm inspired to go doodle in my sketchbook.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Resources: Google Art Project
I just found out about an awesome new website from Google. It's called the Art Project and it's amazing. It's like Google Maps but instead of streets and buildings, you can digitally wander around some of the best art museums in the world. I'm really excited about this! Not only can you "walk" through the galleries, you can click on art works to see more detail, zooming in to see individual brush strokes on paintings.
You can search by museum or for a particular piece of art. You can also create your own collections of favorite art pieces that you can then share with others. And you can save close up views as well, if there's a particular part of a work you like or want to show someone else. It's a nice way to set up a lesson plan for your students or browse a museum's collection you might not otherwise be able to see. And please do take advantage of this resource -- some of the most famous works of art in the world are now easily viewable in high resolution for your viewing pleasure.
I found the site extremely easy to use. After watching the intro video and a few minutes playing around, I easily got the hang of browsing through the Art Project. You have to hand it to Google, they know how to design good websites. They've found another good use for their street view technology! The Art Project links to all the museums, so you can easily view more works and find further info on each institution's website as well.
Over 15 museums are currently on board, sharing their art and galleries, and information about the works; more museums will hopefully be added as time goes by. You can read more about the project and see instructional videos here. The Art Project also has a YouTube account that has more videos and links to the museums' videos as well.
Way to go, Google, way to go.
You can search by museum or for a particular piece of art. You can also create your own collections of favorite art pieces that you can then share with others. And you can save close up views as well, if there's a particular part of a work you like or want to show someone else. It's a nice way to set up a lesson plan for your students or browse a museum's collection you might not otherwise be able to see. And please do take advantage of this resource -- some of the most famous works of art in the world are now easily viewable in high resolution for your viewing pleasure.
I found the site extremely easy to use. After watching the intro video and a few minutes playing around, I easily got the hang of browsing through the Art Project. You have to hand it to Google, they know how to design good websites. They've found another good use for their street view technology! The Art Project links to all the museums, so you can easily view more works and find further info on each institution's website as well.
Over 15 museums are currently on board, sharing their art and galleries, and information about the works; more museums will hopefully be added as time goes by. You can read more about the project and see instructional videos here. The Art Project also has a YouTube account that has more videos and links to the museums' videos as well.
Way to go, Google, way to go.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Resource: Masterpiece Art Instruction
Here's a site I came across today: Masterpiece Art Instruction. It's specifically aimed at homeschoolers, so I think you'll find it particularly useful. There's a monthly newsletter with lesson and project ideas, online classes, free download-able lesson plans and project templates, and also lessons and other products for sale.
Masterpiece Art Instruction is a very well designed site, simple and easily navigable. It's rare to find such a website that's not stuffed to the gills with banner ads or awkwardly designed. Simple and easy to use, with helpful information for your art teaching--it's definitely worth a look.
Masterpiece Art Instruction is a very well designed site, simple and easily navigable. It's rare to find such a website that's not stuffed to the gills with banner ads or awkwardly designed. Simple and easy to use, with helpful information for your art teaching--it's definitely worth a look.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Resources: The Cool Hunter
One of my favorite websites ever is The Cool Hunter. Basically, it's a website all about creativity:
"The Cool Hunter is not a trend-spotter, trend-watcher or trend predictor. We select and celebrate what is beautiful and enduring from all that is sought-after in architecture, design, gadgets, lifestyle, urban living, fashion, travel and pop culture. We remain relevant by staying ahead of and outside of trends and fads — the fickle shifts in taste and style. The Cool Hunter digs deeper, finding tomorrow's icons and classic phenomena. We are a prized reference point of choice for a global creative community." You can read more about their mission here.
I would suggest this site for your artistically inclined teenager. It just broadens your horizons on so many different creative pursuits: from the expected-- art, architecture, music, design-- to the unusual-- food, gadgets, treelife. Your definition of being artistic has to expand when you browse this site. It can open your child's eyes to new possibilities and careers utilizing their creative skills and passions. And it's just plain fun to look at all the pictures. The Cool Hunter is big on showing, not just telling, which as a visual person I highly enjoy. Every article is accompanied by multiple gorgeous pictures.
A word of caution: some of the articles on the Cool Hunter can contain sexual innuendo/content at times, not often but enough that I want you to be aware of that. As in most places in our world today, sex and sexuality are hard to completely avoid. You could use that as a springboard to have a discussion about why advertisers and designers feel the need to use sex/sexuality to promote products and grab consumers' attention. It's a really good conversation to have with a teen who wants to pursue a career related to the creative arts; it's something they'll have to confront eventually. How can they stand out from the world around them while pursuing excellence in their chosen field of study? It's easy to cater to the lowest common denominator, make work to please the masses while lowering your standards...how do you stay true to who you are? How do you engage with the world around you without being pulled down by it? Do we run from our culture or perhaps work to change it from within?
"The Cool Hunter is not a trend-spotter, trend-watcher or trend predictor. We select and celebrate what is beautiful and enduring from all that is sought-after in architecture, design, gadgets, lifestyle, urban living, fashion, travel and pop culture. We remain relevant by staying ahead of and outside of trends and fads — the fickle shifts in taste and style. The Cool Hunter digs deeper, finding tomorrow's icons and classic phenomena. We are a prized reference point of choice for a global creative community." You can read more about their mission here.
I would suggest this site for your artistically inclined teenager. It just broadens your horizons on so many different creative pursuits: from the expected-- art, architecture, music, design-- to the unusual-- food, gadgets, treelife. Your definition of being artistic has to expand when you browse this site. It can open your child's eyes to new possibilities and careers utilizing their creative skills and passions. And it's just plain fun to look at all the pictures. The Cool Hunter is big on showing, not just telling, which as a visual person I highly enjoy. Every article is accompanied by multiple gorgeous pictures.
A word of caution: some of the articles on the Cool Hunter can contain sexual innuendo/content at times, not often but enough that I want you to be aware of that. As in most places in our world today, sex and sexuality are hard to completely avoid. You could use that as a springboard to have a discussion about why advertisers and designers feel the need to use sex/sexuality to promote products and grab consumers' attention. It's a really good conversation to have with a teen who wants to pursue a career related to the creative arts; it's something they'll have to confront eventually. How can they stand out from the world around them while pursuing excellence in their chosen field of study? It's easy to cater to the lowest common denominator, make work to please the masses while lowering your standards...how do you stay true to who you are? How do you engage with the world around you without being pulled down by it? Do we run from our culture or perhaps work to change it from within?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Resources: Timeline of Art History
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (also known as the Met) in New York has a really neat resource available for free online. It's called the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History; it's a "chronological, geographical, and thematic exploration of the history of art from around the world, as illustrated by the Museum's collection." You can read more about it here. The Met has an amazing art collection to browse, with this timeline you can search by time period, country, and specific themes. Take a look and learn something new!
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