Final Project (#7): Integrated line and value in an interpretive composition

DUE: with your final portfolio, Monday, Dec.12

Objective: Interpret a line drawing by Abraham Walkowitz (currently on exhibit in the University Gallery, Old College) , expressing your ideas in a composition that integrates line and value.

Your final drawing should incorporate all the drawing skills you have developed this semester. In order to bring your techniques and skills together in a coherent and creative way, you will need to determine a specific concept that will unify your drawing's composition. This concept will be based on one of the Abraham Walkowitz line drawings currently on view in the University Gallery. Choose one line drawing that appeals to you and determine what the line is doing in the drawing. For example, the line could be dancing (but that would be a terrifically shallow interpretation since all the drawings in the exhibition deal with dancer Isadora Duncan). The action (or activity) of the line--however you decide to identify it--will serve as the concept for your final drawing.

Once you have determined a concept, you will then need to integrate a linear element with a tonal element. First, the linear element should not be a copy of the Walkowitz line, but rather, your interpretation of it. Consider line quality: weight, direction, movement, character, etc. Second, the tonal element will be drawn from life. In order to decide what to draw in value, you need to imagine how your concept might take physical form. For example, if we pursue the idea of a dancing line (which you should not do), think about objects you could draw that themselves exhibit dancing lines. Would a wooden board work? Or a crumpled plastic bag? What about a spool?

Next, you will have to determine how the linear element(s) and the tonal element(s) will work together. You could divide your page into two sections: one linear, one tonal, in which case you need to consider how to shape and juxtapose your two sections. Or, you could intertwine the two elements, allowing them to move from line to value and back and forth, depending on what you want your drawing to be. However you decide to organize your drawing, be sure that the overall composition works with your concept.

Material:
• Draw on good white paper, at least 22 x 30 inches (bought by the sheet)
• Use the following drawing materials: vine charcoal, compressed charcoal, conté, and any other material you like

You may want to refer to the Walkowitz exhibition website:
www.museums.udel.edu/art/current/walkowitz/index.html

Criteria for evaluation include:

• everything (you should know it all by now)