I don’t just sew, complain about biology, and blog arbitrarily. I draw.
I took four years of drawing lessons from Mrs. R in high school before I graduated. In my fashion studies at LCCC and the Baum School of Art, I’ve also done some drawing: Drawing 1, 2D Design, Fashion Illustrations, and currently an independent study pertaining to the art of figure drawing. Tis this latter class that I would like to talk about.
Most of you who read my blog, read it because something about my life interests you. Maybe it’s just the way I write about my life. Regardless, I’m going to bore you with part of my life, then share some pictures.
I graduate in December (yay) and am only taking two required classes this semester in order to graduate. There is a third class that is optional which I am taking as well.
Requirement 1: a laboratory science. My options were chemistry, physics, or biology. I chose biology.
Requirement 2: figure drawing. My options were running out. I filed a class substitution form and it was denied. I called the dean of students and he told me to change my major. I emailed the teacher directly and never got a reply. Why? Because I believe that the human body is not something to unclothe and call art. God is the Artist Who formed the human body and even He put clothes on it.
One of my absolute favorite teachers, Pam, worked with me to find a solution. Together, with the director of the Baum School, we came up with the idea to offer a (drumroll) clothed figure drawing class. However, such a class would not be ready in time for me to take it AND graduate as scheduled. One of the two figure drawing teachers agreed to work with me outside of class so that I can get the credit for doing the class without actually sitting in the room with the model. I think it’s been working out really well. And I’m enjoying it rather immensely!
Not everything that I draw has something to do directly with the human body. Since my major is fashion, I have recently done assignments that explore cloth, drapery, fabric folds, etc. Some drawings are to simply build up skill in the area of shading (such as reflected light) or to practice using a certain medium (charcoal on toned paper).
The following assignment was to draw myself in a foreshortened way using a mirror. This was an exceptionally fun pose because I used not only my mirrored image, but also my real image. Fun, fun.

Below is a drawing of drapery. And that is not curtains. It is in fact the draping of cloth over something. Could be a curtain rod, yes. But in this case, it is over the arm of a faceless girl.

I did several drawings on toned paper. Toned paper is paper that is not white or black, but rather is a shade of gray. Any shade. There are many to choose from. This is a set of hands that I was required to draw so as to practice the correct formation of hands. Do you realize how difficult it is to draw hands?! This one is earmarked for a special friend. Twill be a gift that she requested.

This is my most recent and possibly favorite drawing so far. Again I was asked to draw some drape-y fabric, so I drape-y-ed it on the dressform. I think it turned out pretty good. Toned paper has a way of making otherwise-weird-and-pointless drawings look breathtaking. Why did I not discover this sooner?

Tags: art, college, drawing, fashion