Jill Ashley Art & Design Blog

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Abstract Video Workshop

Walerian Borowczyk: Experimental and Expanded Film/ Video

Walerian Borowczyk (September 2, 1923 – February 3, 2006) was a Polish film director. He directed 40 films between 1946 and 1988. His career as a film director was mainly in France.

Born in Kwilcz, he studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, then devoted himself to painting and lithography, including the creation of posters for the cinema, which earned him a national prize in 1953. In 1959, he settled in Paris.

His early films were surreal animations, some only a few seconds long, including several comic abecedaria (letter lists). His most acclaimed early films were Był sobie raz (Time Upon a Once) (1957) and Dom (House) (1958, with Jan Lenica).

His influence can be seen in the work of Jan Svankmajer and The Quay Brother:

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Life Drawing Part 4

This session was a little different, as the model was male and therefore the proportions were very different to the female form I was used to.

Firstly, we did four 10 minute poses, in which the model rotated 90 degrees. This was to get used to his proportions, instead of the curvy female figure, the male's body was muscular and slim.

For the second pose, the model rested his arm on to a ladder for 20 minutes. I used a pre-made surface consisting of emulsion, old music sheets, plasterers scrim and net. As the surface was very raised and textured, drawing with charcoal was difficult.

Thirdly, he posed again for 20 minutes, leaning on the ladder. I used another pre-made surface which was less textured, and chalk pastels to create tone. I feel the proportions of the figure are more realistic.

The next 20 minute pose was on black sugar paper with chalk. I think the proportions and tone are reasonably realistic.

For the last pose, the model was in a sitting position. I used charcoal and chalk to add highlights and darker tone, using the paper as the midi tone. This is my favourite life drawing to date, as the composition, form and tone are all successful.