October 4th - The human head

In today's class be examining the human head, including the face. We are going to pay particular attention to the structure of the cranium, the relationship and placement of the various feature of the face on the skull, and to the space surrounding the head. In addition to trying to capture the correct structure and likeness of the model, we will also be focusing on the expression of feeling that the process we choose to draw a head can give the drawing. Some former students drawings are below.

Here are some other examples by some artist you might be more familar with. Notice the wide variety of techniques used, and the differnet effects that they achieve. First two Van Gogh drawings:

 Above is a little drawing by Joe Adolphe. His choice of paper to draw on (that is an actual old library card) helps to support the subject and mood. You can see more of this series on his website (a link is on the left) Below are two drawings by the amazing artist Katherine Kollwitz. She always has such amazing emotion in her drawings.

 Below you see two etchings by Lucian Frued. He is a master of giving a feeling mass, and flesh to the head.

 Below are two small Rembrandt's. The style and mediue give a very different feeling to each drawing.

 Last we have two John Singer Sargent drawings. Notice how very visible (nd effective) his line are that he is using to build up the spaces around the head, and the relationship that that creats to the handling of the face.