bug according to art

If we were to wipe out insects alone on this planet, the rest of life and humanity with it would mostly disappear from the land. Within a few months. – E. O. Wilson

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I am going to try something new here. And you all are part of the experiment. If it works, I’ll do it again. If it doesn’t work, I won’t.  I bring out the shells students normally draw to learn about structure and texture. I also bring out my collection of insects (and lizards). I hear gasps from some students and note smiles on the faces of others. I don’t necessarily think everyone should draw a bug but I would like particular students to draw one, maybe two.

Shells and bugs are the general subject-matter. The insects I bring to class certainly have interesting structure but not all of them have a variety of texture. We proceed anyway. They need to arrange the forms and consider both the positive and negative space in the composition. And they use a magnifying glass. I expect some students will hesitate because they are nervous. Once they get past the initial fear they not only look at the bugs closely, but they hold them with kid gloves. They can’t help but draw with care.

I see the bugs are a challenge for a few of them, but the shells are always a challenge for the whole group so I let it pass. I ask (while they work and after) if they appreciate the result (if not the process). All of them answer yes.

Our conversation about insects and life sprinkles into the 4 days we work on these drawings. Here are a few samples. Enjoy the titles.

Peeka-Boo! by Ryan

Palo Verde Beach Party by Casey

Rattle my Rock by Ryan

Whoa there Shell-y by Kiria

Tantalizing by Gwynne

Bug Light Year by Alejandra

Bad Moth-fia by Mary

One of These Things is not Like The Other by Casey

Susan is an advanced drawing student. This semester she is choosing to work on faces. Below is a portrait of a previous classmate. I would say Charles is interesting structure and interesting texture. He’s since cut his dreadlocks but here they are captured forever in this silver-point drawing.

Portrait of Charles by Susan, Silverpoint drawing

keep up the practice!

One looks, looks long, and the world comes in. – Joseph Campbell  

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Before the final critique begins I watch and listen as students appreciate each other’s work and note their individual progress. Some students remember how nervous they were on the first day of class when I said they would not be using any pencil in my drawing class.

It takes a while but finally I get them to organize so we can begin class.

It’s been a good semester. This group is full of personality and support for each other. Here are a few highlights from yesterday’s critique.

Adriana’s Master’s Reproduction

Angie’s first value study – cloth and pattern and knot

Popay’s value study, cloth, pattern and knot

Cassidy’s Black Teapot

JT”S Gorilla Skull

Angie’s Pitcher Study

Vicki’s Teapot

Popay’s Still-Life

Mariah’s Gorilla Skeletal Study

 

….. over and out. Keep up the practice! I yell as they exit the studio.