DRAWING FROM OBSERVATION By Cierra Simmons

A report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for ENC 3241

Department of something University of Central Florida 10 March 2013

ABSTRACT The purpose of this report is to explain the importance and techniques of drawing from observation. Many students begin their undergraduate studies under the impression that drawing is imaginative and fanciful, however you can only get to such a level with your work after first working from observation. One of the key methods of drawing from observation is to train your eyes to see no more and no less than exactly what is right in front of you. You cannot embellish or erase details, only record exactly what is already in existence. With the proper guidance, any student can learn how to draw like Da Vinci, regardless of background. In conclusion, you have to learn the rules before you can break them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES ON MEDITATION RECOMMENDED TIMETABLE PROPOSED BUDGET CONCLUSION i 1 1 2 2 2 3

INTRODUCTION

The University of Central Florida offers comprehensive drawing courses designed to give students the building blocks for fundamental success. Professors Rivers, Ahearn, Haran, and Ortiz head the drawing department. All four teach the fundamental courses, drawing 1 and drawing 2. These drawing courses are required for many majors located in the School of Visual Arts and Design, from web design to film to studio arts. In the visual arts, trusting your sight and accurate vision are a necessary tool. Practicing drawings from observation helps develop and sharpen these skills. By taking these courses and excelling in the lessons, pupils take these skills and expand upon them to create vividly imaginative works of art.

DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES

With four different professors, you get four different perspectives on how to approach drawing various subject matters. Professor Rivers will encourage you to measure out proportions until the drawing is an exact two-dimensional recreation of the subject matter. Professors Haran and Ahearn will teach you how to zoom into the details and follow the lines and planes of sections until you find your way into the correct forms. Professor Ortiz will teach you to simplify everything down to an almost illustrative representation of what you see. Because of these different techniques, choosing professors is a critical point a student must face when deciding upon their education. The best way to choose a professor is to weigh your own strengths and weaknesses against the professors as well.

ON MEDITATION

Many drawing professors and students claim that working on meditation skills help one to focus more intently upon their subjects. By calming the mind, artists are able to forget about their worldly problems and focus simply upon the moment that is. They can zoom into the material and their canvas and exist only in their work. Many claim that working on their meditation skills gave them a greater ability to be productive and creative for a longer amount of time.

RECOMMENDED TIMETABLE

Students will only improve through practice. Therefore, students will need to devote a large amount of their time to their homework assignments. According to many of the professors, a minimum of 40 hours spent in the studio is necessary to achieve maximum potential with a students talent. Some of the professors require the hours you spent on homework to be recorded on the homework.

PROPOSED BUDGET

While the School of Visual Arts and Design provides instructors, studios, and easels, students will need to provide their own supplies. The numbers around the pie chart are dollar amounts in Figure 2.1. Budgets help the students plan for the semester with their financial aid.

Figure 2.1:

CONCLUSION

Drawing from observation is the only way to develop the skills necessary to someday imagine their own creative works. By developing these skills, students give themselves a greater likelihood to succeed later on in their degrees. Many students complain at hours and money spent honing their talent, but the end result is typically worth it.