Self Portrait by Brittney Belz, MFA Costume Design ‘08 (click for larger image)

“Draw to Know” is the premise of the course I offer to the Department of Drama.  This course was added to the Drama curriculum several years ago to refine graduate students’ rendering skills. It is an unusual and special opportunity for me, in that I have three years with the same group of students to build drawing expertise.

I have been a teacher and practicing artist for 30 years, and I have found that drawing is the key to making the unfamiliar familiar.  In my own studio, I often draw from memory to sharpen my recall and utilize multiple sensory impressions.  It is one thing to observe, but quite another to remember how a contour feels to the touch.

I have the privilege of teaching Drama Department graduate students in costume design, scene design, technical directing and lighting.  Artists in their own right, they bring to my course a wide range of visual art training.  It is my intention to help them develop their individual resources while increasing their accuracy.

Skeleton Study by Kyle Gettelman, MFA Technical Direction ‘08 (click for larger image)

One of the first drawing exercises allowed me to get acquainted with each student.  In an orientation meeting, I had discovered this class of graduates haled from states as far flung as Alaska, and I was interested in the places each of them called “home.”  Inspired by the old, buff-colored formica tables in the classroom, I asked each student to draw an image of their domicile directly on a long table. They were surprised, but I managed to reduce the inhibitions white paper seems to incur, as well as set a tone of spontaneity.

The students’ emerging drawings spread into a scroll-like history of residence, gray markings against a worn background.  I could see memories expressed in pencil. I then encouraged them to focus on details of specific rooms and to lightly subdue other parts, so a smear of continuous line gently connected all the renderings.  Finally, I had them wipe away their images, leaving no visible trace, only memory of the experience.

Gestures by Lisi Stoessel, MFA Scene Design ‘08 (click for larger image)

In each weekly meeting the students draw from life.  We use the human figure to study line, form and space.  Initially there is strong emphasis on mastering the language of line, as it is so revealing.  During the first and second years I invite students to create lines which convey direction, location and emphasis, titling this process “finding accuracy through expression.”  

Periodically, when students have “drawn to know,” examples of their work are shown, representing various abilities and insights.  Most drawings are 24” x 36” and mediums include pencil, charcoal pen, ink and mixed media.

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