After Course Work: explorations in visual tension.

1.Oval Tension. graphite pencil and red ink on paper. 8"x8''.

2. Teapot. graphite pencil and red ink on paper. 8''x10''.

3. Keyhole. graphite pencil and red ink on paper. 9''x11''.

4. Egg. graphite pencil and red ink on paper. 10.5"x9".

sidewalk

My first drawing of the week was inspired by a photo of a sidewalk in San Fransisco. Here I attempted to create visual tension using the curve. Thank you tethered pencil!

simplicity- a weeks progression

As the week progressed I found that through simplicity I would gain a firmer understanding of the formal relationships between form. Visual tension can be created through very little mark making.

and so the pendulum swings-our first exercise

The challenging task of working with a tethered pencil created some interesting relationships.

4 Today

I did four drawings today, I figure with a possible 50 percent success rate my average could increase with two more days at bat. I actually am beginning to reconnect with old school formalism, a much needed boost to my repetitive studio repertoire of the past several years. While it has been a bit like pulling teeth (tethered string included) my teeth were loosened by the end of day 1 and have begun falling out one by one with each passing day. While certainly painful at times I remain ever mindful of the potential choking hazard ... so while I have retired the tether, I have it neatly tucked into my tool box for safe keeping. So far so good.