You have to seize the movement when it happens which is why after an hour having my students draw perspective, I decided to reach out to two handsome Hip-Hop dancers who were also using the exhibition hall as well. The were just about to ask me if it was ok to turn up the volume. I said sure and asked them if we could draw them in action. They were pleased about this idea and I saw this little symbiosis as one of them called it made it to their Instagram stories. What an excellent way to get my students to loosen up than drawing a subject as untame as a dancer. I told them that perhaps they can take a mental snap shot and translate it to paper. To create viscerally and with expressivity is such an amazing entry door to art and always helps making work that is more intellectual down the road. They were very grateful for this unexpected event and left all smiles. As we were wrapping up, I asked the young men if they would like to volenteer for our life drawing activity which will be held for Seniors Week in June and they said yes. I'm so excited! How cool would it be if one held a pose an the other was dancing and keept switching back and forth?
These pictures are from the earlier part of the class: drawing the mighty turntables using individual windows as viewfinders. This is super important for proportions as the pesky rationnal part of the brain keep trying to squish elements on the page. The right side of the brain which is the creative side loves to see negative shapes and the viewfinder encloses these shapes by acting as borders to the composition.
Maurice our PA told me that had he known I would set up tables in the hall, he would have not let us use it for the class. He's afraid we may have impeded on a booking but quite frankly, I'm glad I did not give to many details if that's what made this adventure possible.
Here are a few drawings from the kids which also relate to movement, one of them brought a wooden dummy to class and as you know, I love to improvise when given the opportunity!
As always, thank you so much for watching, it means a great deal to me that we can share these cultural moments together.
That sounds like a fun class - that is cool that the dancers agreed to come back and pose again. I love the idea of one holding a pose while the other dances, and switching.
Much love - Carl
Much love!
Amazing work.
Thanks a bunch!
Magical Hands you got.
You mean as a photographer?
As an artist.
I did the top drawings on the third photo :)
LOL, believe me they are not bad, build some imaginary creatures.