HOME | DD

LINE + ... experiment : 02-07 — Description
0_o

This is the first set of artistic experiments I have been pursuing in the method of Anthony Ryder. It's a very interesting methodology to train the mind to see the figure as an abstract shape. As a developing artist, the acceptance that the body cannot be constructed as a symbol, but as an abstraction (although styles may be applied), is a crucial step to viewing the world with the correct perspective. Entering the art world with only a heavily stylized format at one's disposal is a very crippling thing suffered by many artists (including myself). It trains the artist to see the human body as a jumble of repeatable symbols, constraining it to a definite set of limitations. The body cannot be completely represented in this form and becomes very rigid and in-human, not as organic as it should appear.

The Ryder method is a set of guidelines created to the assist in the breaking of these conceptual barriers. It does this by literally leading the artist to sculpt the figure from an abstract form, instead of working from a defined symbol outwards. For those unfamiliar with the method, the above figures represent the first "blocking" stage of the figure, beginning with an overall envelope that is broken down until a figure composed of only straight lines is created.

These sketches are a part of an assignment I am completing under the direction of the merekatcreations forums. The task was to sketch many figures, from reference, each in under 15 minutes. I am still striving to meet this goal, but find myself continually trying to stay within the time limit and struggling with overcoming my pre-conceptions. The above four figures are from the early experiments, I will likely submit the first as a scrap so that I have something by which to measure progress.

This is a very interesting and beneficial exercise, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their artistic abilities.

The references for these are all documented next to the image and many come from *mjranum-stock (NSFW flagged). If an interest is shown in the references, I may include links to the files as a post-comment section (below) in this and future deviations.

Some of the references used are nudes, but as these are outlines I do not consider them mature content. Notify me if you take offense and I will flag the deviation.

Tools :
1. 0.5 mech pencil (HB)
2. Canson 10 x 13 sketchbook
3. Epson ... flat-bed scanner
4. Vuescan
5. Adobe Photoshop CS4
6. Adobe InDesign CS4

Music :
Eisley
t.A.T.u.
Supreme Beings of Leisure
Sia

Time :
36 19 15 18 minutes (figure)