Thursday, May 26, 2011

Cast Drawings

To be honest, I didn't know what to think about cast drawing before I started.


I soon found that a main goal of cast drawing is not just to render something immaculately, but to internalize the relationship between form and light. It's obvious in theory, but can be elusive in practice.


The impact on my personal work has been solid. Light and form are becoming more of a reflex. When I'm working from imagination I make confident decisions where a year ago I would have been confused.


I know many artists haven't given this a shot and don't see the point, but there are many artists who HAVE given this a shot and DO see the point. Don't knock it til ya try it, it could make a world of difference. ;)

I did these drawings at the Safehouse Atelier. Represent.

10 comments:

Jazz Siy said...

I'll have to take my shot too then. I've been struggling with light and form and often find myself confused. I need a plenty enough to practice. Great post, its a good reminder.

devin platts said...

these look fantastic.

Anna Christenson said...

Man these came out great.
I can definitely see how doing these studies would help- from what you were describing the other day, these take a really long time each? I guess just starting at light and form for that long is going to dig the value relationships into your head.

I'd like to get a cast myself and set it up at home, I think it would be a great exercise.

Nonie said...

It's not about value relationships, that's the thing that's not obvious until you're doing it. You never ever look at comparative value, you think only of the direction of the plane in relation to the light. Comparing values only works when you're working from observation, while learning to use value to indicate form allows you paint the light and form of anything from imagination. It sounds like just syntax but it's a big difference in painting. Cast drawing rocks!

jseverin said...

You're McCleaning up! nice man :).

Anna Christenson said...

Thanks for clearing that up Nonie- my lack of correct wording shows that I probably didn't grasp the complete reasoning behind doing cast studies.

Doubly the reason to practice.

Unknown said...

Wow, I knew you'd posted drawings (followed your link from twitter) but my first impression was... "Ok, nicely rendered/lit 3D models?"

Damn impressive, man!

Chris Rahn said...

Dang man, beautiful drawings.

Søren Bendt said...

Sick! These are awesome man! In what medium did you do them, and how long did it take you?

McLean Kendree said...

Thanks guys!

Soren - These are just regular old pencil drawings, and they took such an embarrassingly long time that I can't own up to it publicly, haha!