CANCELLED Balancing Reference, Imagination, and Experimentation in Drawing, with Michelle Stevens

NEW! Balancing Reference, Imagination, and Experimentation in Drawing, with Michelle Stevens

This is a HYBRID class that meets on Thursdays:
10/19 4:00-6:00pm: In-person at  the Visitor Center at Mt. Auburn Cemetery
10/26 6:00-8pm: on Zoom

$60 CAA Member; $70 General Admission

Registration Close Date: October 12 at 5pm

Students will better understand how to bring together various observations and reference material to create a cohesive image that successfully conveys the artist’s intended visual impact. Rather than coming into class with an idea for an image to reach, students will focus on intuitive visual creation and experimenting throughout the process, until they have a series of solid visuals to choose from. We will gather reference, learn some basic Photoshop skills and editing, have some group critiques, and have an in-progress piece by the end of session 2. Each student will leave with reference and sketches to continue a series with, or bounce back on their own ideas for future work.

Session 1 - In-person at Mount Auburn Cemetery 
Students will bring a sketchbook, drawing tools, and a phone camera (or preferred camera) to collect reference from their surroundings through sketches and photos. The class will touch upon ways of seeing and drawing techniques, mostly with one-on-one discussions to best suit each student. By staying open to play with unexpected combinations and interactions, students will leave with strong observational reference to carry over into more developed ideas.

Session 2 - Collaging and Editing Reference 
This week will focus on how to build strong reference, editing along the way and finding the best bits in the unexpected. Students will bring their collection from class 1, as well as any personal images that they’d like to potentially work with. Everyone will share their strongest reference and we will discuss both analog and digital techniques to shape images further towards a final vision. Certain Photoshop tools will be highlighted. We will have the beginning stages of a sketch for our final pieces as we answer any questions and help develop skills while using both reference and imagination.

Zoom sessions will be recorded and emailed to participants.

Materials List:
Class 1: Sketchbook, drawing tools, and a camera
Class 2: Laptop or iPad; photo editing programs, such as Photoshop or Gimp; dry or water-based media; paper or canvas

About Michelle Stevens

A 2D artist and Illustrator, primarily working in graphite and paint, Michelle Stevens holds a BFA from MassArt with Honors and a minor in Sustainability. Her work has been exhibited at Fitchburg Art Museum, Clark University, and Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, among others. She has worked on projects for Boston Calling Music Festival, House of Blues, and has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, NYC. Her illustration clients include the Canadian National Railway, Trillium Brewing Company, Biotech company Tango Therapeutics, Boston Art Review Magazine, Far Out Ice Cream, and musician San Holo, with his record label Bitbird.