What’s Up in IL 2?

“Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better.” -Author Sidney Sheldon

We played a game I call Library Lines. Students draw a prompt from a hat, which is a category related to illustration, located on the shelves.

They find that area, choose a book from the stacks, and make a tracing from an image found in that book. Sam is making a tracing here.

They repeat this 7 times, tracing from other books found, so the final image is a layered linear collage. Each drawing represents several deliberate choices, each step informed by the one before. Hopefully there are surprises, such as discovering the resources at hand, while making an image triggered by impulse. Sam’s resulted in a lyrical use of text with crisp juxtapositions.

 

This one makes bold use of variations in line weight, with an implied narrative of violent history.

 

This exercise was a lead into Project 3, an editorial assignment that called for interpreting one of three magazine articles. A majority of the class chose a piece from an award-winning science magazine, Nautilus, about engineering luck into game design. Owen’s piece touches on the aspect of luck as a belief in the gods, with luck symbols lining the steps of a Mayan-like temple of good fortune.

 

Taryn created a slot machine with a lucky winner oblivious to the furtive mechanic behind the machine.

 

 

Peter illustrated a game environment in which a player’s own handle is pulled by the game, referencing a point in the article about the manipulation of players’ perceptions about chance.

 

 

In Project 4, students were asked to create a 3D character.  For our next class, we had a surprise visitor in the form of Pepper, an African pygmy hedgehog belonging to MECA alum (and former student) Andi Croak.

 

 

She skittered about the table, but everyone managed a few sketches.

 

 

Pepper felt most at home burrowing into Andi’s sweatshirt.

 

 

Andi brought in a few of her recent 3D works, and discussed the materials, obstacles, and rewards of creating them.

 

Students began sketching ideas and playing with Sculpy and other materials.

 

 

 

Before the final critique, Sam brought photography equipment to shoot their pieces for a card set, which is in production as I write. For the final crit, students assembled their preliminary sketches, the photograph of their piece, the actual 3D piece, and a drawing made afterwards of their piece. Bringing 2D into three-dimensional form, and back into 2D reproduction is a circle with many layers of challenge.

Joe Rosshirt was a student when I first assigned this project, in 2008.  He went on to create several 3D characters during his years as a MECA illustration major. Now a freelance illustrator and animator, Joe currently co-teaches a Junior Seminar here, and agreed to be a guest critter.

 

 

Everyone had frustrations with materials, yet remarkable discoveries were made. I am always impressed with the efforts and perseverance of my students!

 

 

 

 

At this point in the semester, the class needed a break. They made a field trip to visit my studio on Peaks Island, a welcome dose of fresh air, sunshine, and a two-cent tour of the island. Plus, refreshments!

 

 

Now they are working on Project 5, the last assignment. They will illustrate a gig poster for their favorite band. They will design their own layouts and consider typography.

 

When we returned to class the next time, I gave a word prompt, to illustrate a word with 5 – 8 letters. I’ve given this prompt before, and I am always delighted by the results.

 

 

 

 

Next class we will draw from the model again, with musical instruments for props. Drawing from the figure is always useful, and we may listen to the bands chosen.

The semester has flown by, working alongside these nimble folks. They have brainstormed together, drawn together, and stretched themselves. It’s an honor to share the classroom with them. Onward, Illustration 2!