Workshop L: Found In Translation: The Influence of Calligraphy in the Figure and Environment
Instructor: Melanie Reim (USA)
Location: Waterloo St.
Workshop description Participants will use the influence of Chinese calligraphy to infuse gesture and attitude into their figure drawings and surrounding environs. The class will begin by looking at the Chinese alphabet, a discussion of the weight of line and how that translates to the “weight” of a pose. Continuing by looking at examples of illustrators from Hokusai to Ben Shahn, to contemporary examples, such as Yuko Shimizu, the correlation will be demonstrated, and then, executed, fostering a greater contrast in line weight and speed of delivery in the drawing.
Learning goals
After this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Recognize the influence and potential of the calligraphy of various alphabets on the illustrative line.
- Use a single line to create gesture and movement in a figure and/or environs.
- Use the calligraphic line to heighten the speed and immediacy of drawing on location.
- Intro to historic use of calligraphy by printed examples
- With illustrated examples, introduce those illustrators and artists who use the calligraphic line
- Instruction and practice of holding the brush, marker, to successfully mimic the calligraphic line
One Hour
- Select a person, or group of persons, or series of foliage or buildings to create a series of
freestanding gestural drawings. - Total of 20
45 Minutes
- Meet and critique
One hour
- Short intro on the power of thumbnails. Demo
- One large drawing, beginning with a thumbnail, and then, moving into one large drawing, or two smaller ones, with calligraphic influence.
- Group Critique
Supply list
Pentel Brush Markers
Staedtler Mars Brush Pen
http://www.dickblick.com/products/staedtler-marsgraphic-3000-duo-watercolor-brush-markers/
http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Marsgraphic-Brush-Markers-3000WP10/dp/B005D5ZOJE
OR-
Brush pen or marker- But NOT Tombro.
Brush and ink
