Day 1: InClass Projects

Exquisite Corpus

Day 1 InClass Project: Exquisite Corpse 

 Today we covered all the essential first day of class topics (syllabus, materials, projects, etc) and then we started on some sweet projects. Our first project was called Exquisite Corpse. This method of illustration allows artists pure imagination and complete randomness ... a recipe for success. 

 We were assembled into teams of three, each of us had our own 11"x 17" paper. We folded the blank paper into thirds. Each third of paper was going to be illustrated by a different artist, and with a different theme. The top third was for the head, the middle third was for the body and the bottom third was for the base/feet. Each illustration was timed before passing our paper to the next artist. We also drew guides so that the next artist knew where it would connect. We were not allowed to look at the previous illustrations, we were to draw with no fear or sense of restrain. The result that something unthinkable for one mind, unimaginable for one artist and just  down right great! 

In my exquisite corpse, I started with a sunglass-framed dude with a raging headache. The headache is coming from the infestation of snake-like creatures in the back of his head. He is also being followed by a couple off UFO's. The middle turned out coincidentally nice, with the feature of a name tag and the strange body type and appendages. Lastly the bottom successfully creates the movement needed for this dude to escape the UFOs. 

With a project like this one, I hardly believe that accuracy is a concern. Just get the ideas on the paper and don't stop to think, just draw. However, yesterday, i thought differently. I thought my illustration was embarrassing and that I was creative enough and no one would like it, even I didn't like it. Then today when I looked at it again, I was in love, actually blown away. I realized the potential of this exercise and I believe its a great project with great purpose. I plan to do more of these for fun and when I'm out of ideas.

Shapes

Day 1 InClass Project: Shapes Practice

And here is my second InClass project called Shapes Practice. On this hand out was a triangle (top left), a square (top right) and a circle (bottom half). The objective: to use the simple shapes to create something imaginative and unexpected. 

To be honest, this project gave me trouble at first. We were given 40 mins to complete all three and I think I spend 10 mins just staring at the paper because I couldn't imagine. When  inspiration hit, I started with the square and added a "lid." The box was a good place to hide or to escape danger and so I drew ladders. Soon after I kept thinking teddy bears ... teddy bears. So the teddy bears are escaping from a nearby danger that isn't seen from the frame. The teddy bears are wielding machine guns and rpg's. The one closest to the viewer is unable to walk on it's own because its leg had been ripped off and stuffing slowly falling out. I then added a few other helpful teddy bears all engaged in their own dilemma. The idea for the rocket engines came last when I thought, "these bears to an exit strategy."

The triangle came next, which started with the beard. There is something habitual about me drawing a beard or tentacle-like shapes when I have a mental block. I started there and then led up to the cycloptic eye. Originally I wanted him to be wearing a hood, Jawa style. Since it didn't start well I continued the flow into his shirt vest, which has fur trim around the piping of the sleeve and middle. The idea for the light bulb came from Chase's remark about the Illuminate. The cyclops has a slight love interest for the light bulb.

I drew around the circle last and I had alway imagined it as a lizards eye. So I drew everything I knew about lizards—scaly, organic spot patterns, a tail, strange extruded eyes. The very last detail I added was the teddy bear leg that was ripped off, which ties those two stories together.