Final outcome. Top: Detailed primary/secondary contour drawing and cross-contour drawing; bottom: essential contour drawing and icon
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Module One focused on developing fundamental drawing skills while portraying objects with varying levels of detail. Though each varied in detail, materials, and depth, all drawings needed to be recognizable and true to the referenced forms. The Object to Icon assignment represented a chosen object through four compositions, where the idea of staying true to the chosen form was also studied closely; the challenge was to decide which details were necessary in communicating only essential information.
The module began with an introduction to primary and secondary contours, only visualizing the essential outline of a form. By focusing on this skill rather than shading and other techniques for developing drawings, capturing the accurate shape of the form remained a priority. This assignment also focused on developing contour skills by introducing cross-contours, a way to visualize a form’s three-dimensional qualities through a two-dimensional drawing.
STATEMENT:
For my final compositions, I chose to draw a bear-shaped honey bottle due to its unique, balanced, and challenging form. By starting with practice cross-contours within simple cylinders and spheres, I developed this skill and accurately portrayed the bottle’s curved surfaces. Although many of the bottle’s details are necessary to its readability, I continuously simplified its shape as the series went on. With some practice cutting precisely curved shapes and creating an icon template in Illustrator, I created an iconic iteration of the bottle that is neat and provides only essential information.
Through the techniques included in this module, I practiced structural drawing and demonstrated how contour is a powerful tool for representing everything from essential shapes to complicated forms. I also explored the varying levels of essence that can be communicated through a composition. Although cutting procedures are simply a tool to achieve other effects in the assignment, rather than a primary objective, I worked on building this skill throughout the module. Since I have experience in drawing but not cutting, I focused on making these skill levels equal so one will not distract from the other.
REFLECTION:
I appreciate the abilities gained throughout this module, from structural drawing techniques and precision in crafting to mental components like confidence in my work. The amount of repetition required to be successful in recent exercises allowed me to refine pre-existing artistic techniques as well as learn new approaches to drawing. For example, I have learned a great deal about the types of contours, and this will benefit the accuracy of all my future drawings. I look forward to refining these skills as the semester continues so I can portray forms even more authentically.
I am proud of my drastic improvement in these areas since the semester began, but I’m particularly pleased with how far my cutting skills have come. I will continue working on being more precise and smooth, as I believe the final outcome of my icon could have been neater. However, I am satisfied with the progress I made in this practice that was entirely new to me just weeks ago.
Although I have always been a perfectionist, this assignment helped me realize obsessing over too many tiny, inconceivable details is nearly as unfavorable as procrastination when it comes to time management. I took pride in managing my time well and not procrastinating throughout the module, but could still improve on this by pacing myself better and paying more attention to the bigger picture when applicable.