gRAPHICaNATOMY

Notes on high focus drawing ~ James McMullen

Do something with the figure- blow it apart

Take proportions of figure and reassemble to express some notion of modern life.

The figure in and of itself has been exhausted as a subject, to make it relevant to psychology of today it has to be manipulated somehow.

There is nothing of pleasure in the figure itself, so exploit it quickly as a motif for your own ideas.

Change the model into a design

Observational drawing is a struggle to take in something new not to create a graphic product.

Engage in a sense of celebrating the subject by drawing a sense of “here & now”.

Understand the model with a creative synthesis. Shift emphasis away from the model and toward ourselves and you learn nothing about the model.

The paradox of self expression: we express ourselves more powerfully when we put aside thinking about self-expression and concentrate on the problem. We become revealed in our work by our choices.

A useful way to make progress: devote yourself in drawing. Entirely take in the model. Make the model the true center of activity & draw as an exploration of the models meaning.

What is tit about the human figure that makes it so unique? Physically & psychology alive.

Merge analytical thinking with intuitive. Multi standard receptivity to model- possible you make sense of complex interplay between body parts.

Mechanics too complicated to see in action of seen w/ logic alone. Be responsive to the model. In a state of high focus, accept the risk.

Drawing lads to the edge of what is seen and understood. Get rid of the space between head and the hand. Direct linkage between seen & felt the hand expressing it on paper.

Construction lines eventually become unnecessary. Intuitive perception creates specific forms of the model

Fell & draw as much as you can.

Start drawing where it is important to you.

Nailing down specific body & mood of model like time travel.

Multi stroke attack = low focus.

It can be tough to transition. Once you get invested in a particular style can be tough to let go.

Style is often a substitute for real ability

High focus = gives fewer facts but organizes it powerfully

Sink into the presence of the model and learn something you didn’t know before.

Drawing becomes a meditation.

What is the real in realistic?