Monday, December 14, 2009
Teacherly correspondence...
...in which I elucidate my current highly-psychological angle and methodology for my class in response to a prospective student:
I'm responding to your request for more information on my portraiture/figure-drawing class -- also attached as supplement is last quarter's syllabus, from before I changed the title, and a full list of concepts and activities to be addressed during the course of the quarter.
Basically, what we'll be doing is initially going to be aimed at loosening up and disinhibiting from the way that we normally tend to look at things and worry about how they're going to look on the page. Things like working in crayons and all in colors, without reliance on outlines, without looking at the page (much), without seeing the subject right-side-up, and working on non-white backgrounds, while focusing in on light and shadow, gesture, bulk/weight and balance, and apparent mood and character. The most "technical" aspects of the class will be in learning and working with the standard proportions of the human body and face, which change considerably from birth through adulthood, and in learning how to use page space most effectively in forming a composition. Activities are both accessible and challenging at the same time, because there is no single right or wrong way for one's artwork to come out -- the emphasis is on strengthening your instincts and making the most of the conscious artistic process.
Drawing will mostly be from life (posed modeling or partner drawing), from statuary (usually just the first and second sessions) or from photographs (either yours or from my extensive collection), though some projects will call for drawing from imagination based on a verbal character description, or on changing the subject of a pose. The overall idea is to "unlearn" stylistic assumptions and habits, opening the way for clearer observation and awareness of how one sees and how to get it onto the paper most effectively and realistically. This is particularly important when it comes to drawing (or painting, or sculpting) people, because (as people ourselves) how we typically see each other stops with personal recognition, evaluation of attractiveness and interpretation of emotions and intent, rather than actually observing the qualities of the human face and form as a physical object in space and as an individual person.
I hope this succeeds in clarifying my class content and methods, and do feel free to contact me directly with any further questions.
Sincerely,
Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Visual ad for my class, Fall 2009
I'll post the fullsize flier later today, to show everything that it has....
Art Students Wanted - No Experience Necessary
[Crossposted from http://aureantes.livejournal.com/130184.html
_______________________________________________
How to Draw Real Live People
Instructor: Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr
Learn how to portray anyone you want to, with firm technical knowledge and feedback to help you develop your style and portfolio. We’ll cover basic anatomy and proportions, light/shadow rendering, creative use of color (crayon, colored pencil, pastels and oil pastels), arranging and extracting poses, conveying personality through visual details, and creating dynamic portraits using live sittings, photographs, imagination and everyday character observation. This is an ideal course for young students who want to focus on ‘drawing people’ realistically, as well as for older beginners and practicing artists seeking to hone their skills and focus on the finer points of getting a convincing likeness.
Bring a large (at least 11” x 14”) sketchbook, drawing pencils, art eraser and two-pocket folder, plus own colored pencils, crayons, soft/oil pastels and pens if desired — in-classroom supplies will be provided; full/optional supplies list available in gallery.
September 15 through November 3 (8 weeks) - Teen through adult
Time: Tuesday 6:30 pm —9:00 pm - Fee: $120M $136NM
-------
Classes are held at the La Grange Art League
122 Calendar Avenue, La Grange IL 60525
708-352-3101 http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/ _____________________________________________
To download a class registration form (PDF):
To contact instructor directly for private lessons/commissions:
Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr has been active as a freelance artist for over twenty years, doing everything from concert/theatre programs to commissioned portraits, fantasy art/illustration, set paintings, elaborate Halloween décor and even period-accurate costume design intended for a member of court at the Bristol Renaissance Fair. His education includes Columbia College Chicago (BA) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with prior experience as a staff artist for The Lion and Menagerie at Lyons Township H.S. As an instructor, he emphasizes the importance of “unlearning” assumptions, dismantling mental blocks and strengthening observational skills, and in personal practice he believes in creating/showing character and mood as effectively as possible, whatever the scene and whatever the medium.
Of course, this will be thoroughly crossposted everywhere online that I have IRL contacts or audience....and yes, I'm working on the logistics of online instruction too -- just keep nudging me there.
_
_______________________________________________
Just one week left to register......
How to Draw Real Live People
Fall Session starts September 15 - Tuesday evening classes!
Instructor: Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr
Learn how to portray anyone you want to, with firm technical knowledge and feedback to help you develop your style and portfolio. We’ll cover basic anatomy and proportions, light/shadow rendering, creative use of color (crayon, colored pencil, pastels and oil pastels), arranging and extracting poses, conveying personality through visual details, and creating dynamic portraits using live sittings, photographs, imagination and everyday character observation. This is an ideal course for young students who want to focus on ‘drawing people’ realistically, as well as for older beginners and practicing artists seeking to hone their skills and focus on the finer points of getting a convincing likeness.
Bring a large (at least 11” x 14”) sketchbook, drawing pencils, art eraser and two-pocket folder, plus own colored pencils, crayons, soft/oil pastels and pens if desired — in-classroom supplies will be provided; full/optional supplies list available in gallery.
September 15 through November 3 (8 weeks) - Teen through adult
Time: Tuesday 6:30 pm —9:00 pm - Fee: $120M $136NM
-------
Classes are held at the La Grange Art League
122 Calendar Avenue, La Grange IL 60525
708-352-3101 http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/ _____________________________________________
To download a class registration form (PDF):
or call above number to register by phone —
class is #8 on the Fall 2009 schedule
To contact instructor directly for private lessons/commissions:
708-579-0787 - aureantyev @ yahoo.com
=============================================
Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr has been active as a freelance artist for over twenty years, doing everything from concert/theatre programs to commissioned portraits, fantasy art/illustration, set paintings, elaborate Halloween décor and even period-accurate costume design intended for a member of court at the Bristol Renaissance Fair. His education includes Columbia College Chicago (BA) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with prior experience as a staff artist for The Lion and Menagerie at Lyons Township H.S. As an instructor, he emphasizes the importance of “unlearning” assumptions, dismantling mental blocks and strengthening observational skills, and in personal practice he believes in creating/showing character and mood as effectively as possible, whatever the scene and whatever the medium.
Of course, this will be thoroughly crossposted everywhere online that I have IRL contacts or audience....and yes, I'm working on the logistics of online instruction too -- just keep nudging me there.
_
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Well, perhaps this is a change in the weather....
It will be a new thing, to have just teenagers and/or adults in my class when it starts on Monday. I've always had a principle of letting anyone into my class who was seriously interested in the subject, and I dislike leaving anyone out on purely technical grounds -- especially since I myself would have hated to be excluded from a class based solely on my age. Yes, I was precocious, and not every child with an interest is capable of sustaining it through specialized training. But I'd rather give someone a chance to prove themself if they're determined than tell them to wait until they've met some arbitrary requirement...and even if they're not yet capable of the finest hand-eye coordination or appreciation of scale or shading, it's still possible to plant the seeds of solid technique and see them start to sprout, and know that if that mental and practical trajectory continues then yes, the student will progress and one will have done one's part.
And on the other hand, sometimes there are older students who have become so self-consciously attached to what pleases others and suffices well-enough for them that they have a dire phobia of taking risks and exploring, of letting go of the safety that's served them well -- even greater than the young child's fear of letting go of the circle heads, round eyes and triangular noses that everyone understands as adequately shorthanded information to decipher a human face. This stylistic rigidity is a frustrating (for the teacher at least) plateau, even though it's far easier then to grasp and understand the naturalistic and dynamic techniques once one dares to let go and actually do the experimentation.
When it comes to having an evening class, though, there's a lot less room to bend the age limits. Whether for the sake of a regular bedtime or of social protocols or of studio management, it's hard to countenance having unaccompanied 8-11 year-olds in a class that runs from 6:30 to 9:00 at night -- especially when older students are all too easily neglected in favour of nurturing and supporting the younger artists in their fledgling phases.
I do have some apprehensions about teaching solely to a teens-plus audience this quarter. I hope that they aren't too jaded to see the value of foundational and refreshing, mentally-jumpstarting artistic exercise. I hope that they have enough of a capacity for the fantastic and fascinating to not regard my eclectically-rambling lectures and examples as too childish for their attention. I hope that the energy and flexibility that I've had to develop in dealing mainly with children (and their overburdened schedules) has not deprived me of the firmness to guide and set standards and expect visible results from those who are better able to direct their own time. I hope they have enough originality to not just slavishly copy from my vast morgue of photographs...but I also hope that they've got enough self-discipline to see the value in working from both ends and all ends of media vs. live 3D sittings.
And of course, I certainly hope that enough of them sign up for the class to make up a decent number for partner-drawing activities, as I don't know where I'm likely to find an art model with reasonable rates on this short notice....
And on the other hand, sometimes there are older students who have become so self-consciously attached to what pleases others and suffices well-enough for them that they have a dire phobia of taking risks and exploring, of letting go of the safety that's served them well -- even greater than the young child's fear of letting go of the circle heads, round eyes and triangular noses that everyone understands as adequately shorthanded information to decipher a human face. This stylistic rigidity is a frustrating (for the teacher at least) plateau, even though it's far easier then to grasp and understand the naturalistic and dynamic techniques once one dares to let go and actually do the experimentation.
When it comes to having an evening class, though, there's a lot less room to bend the age limits. Whether for the sake of a regular bedtime or of social protocols or of studio management, it's hard to countenance having unaccompanied 8-11 year-olds in a class that runs from 6:30 to 9:00 at night -- especially when older students are all too easily neglected in favour of nurturing and supporting the younger artists in their fledgling phases.
I do have some apprehensions about teaching solely to a teens-plus audience this quarter. I hope that they aren't too jaded to see the value of foundational and refreshing, mentally-jumpstarting artistic exercise. I hope that they have enough of a capacity for the fantastic and fascinating to not regard my eclectically-rambling lectures and examples as too childish for their attention. I hope that the energy and flexibility that I've had to develop in dealing mainly with children (and their overburdened schedules) has not deprived me of the firmness to guide and set standards and expect visible results from those who are better able to direct their own time. I hope they have enough originality to not just slavishly copy from my vast morgue of photographs...but I also hope that they've got enough self-discipline to see the value in working from both ends and all ends of media vs. live 3D sittings.
And of course, I certainly hope that enough of them sign up for the class to make up a decent number for partner-drawing activities, as I don't know where I'm likely to find an art model with reasonable rates on this short notice....
Now on Monday evenings, we bring you the Summer session of "How to Draw Real Live People"....
Summer Session 2009 is on Monday nights downstairs in the La Grange Art League Gallery from 6:30-9:00 pm -- this is a totally new day and time and studio space, angled for teens through adults for an older and more mature "all ages" format, with more determined emphasis on portfolio-building and producing finished works for exhibition. This is an ideal intensive course for younger artists who are developing a greater interest in 'drawing people' realistically, as well as for more-experienced artists seeking to hone their observational skills and focus on the finer points of getting a convincing likeness.
We will cover anatomy, proportions and the figure-drawing canons; light/shadow rendering and creative use of color (crayon, colored pencil, pastels and oil pastels); arranging and extracting poses; conveying personality through visual details, and creating dynamic portraits using live sittings, photographs, imagination and everyday character observation. Bring a large (at least 11" x 14") sketchbook, drawing pencils and two-pocket folder, plus your own drawing pencils, colored pencils, crayons and/or pens if desired — in-classroom supplies will be provided; full/optional supplies list available in gallery.
Classes run 8 weeks, from June 15 to August 3. For further details and downloadable PDF registration form, go to http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/Classes - or register via telephone or in person at the La Grange Art League, 122 Calendar Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525; Telephone: 708-352-3101.
About the Instructor
Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr has been active as a freelance artist for over twenty years, doing everything from concert/theatre programs to commissioned portraits to period costume design. Education includes Columbia College Chicago (BA) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with prior experience as a staff artist for The Lion and Menagerie at Lyons Township H.S. Personal artistic emphasis: creating/showing character and mood as effectively as possible, whatever the scene.
We will cover anatomy, proportions and the figure-drawing canons; light/shadow rendering and creative use of color (crayon, colored pencil, pastels and oil pastels); arranging and extracting poses; conveying personality through visual details, and creating dynamic portraits using live sittings, photographs, imagination and everyday character observation. Bring a large (at least 11" x 14") sketchbook, drawing pencils and two-pocket folder, plus your own drawing pencils, colored pencils, crayons and/or pens if desired — in-classroom supplies will be provided; full/optional supplies list available in gallery.
Classes run 8 weeks, from June 15 to August 3. For further details and downloadable PDF registration form, go to http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/Classes - or register via telephone or in person at the La Grange Art League, 122 Calendar Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525; Telephone: 708-352-3101.
About the Instructor
Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr has been active as a freelance artist for over twenty years, doing everything from concert/theatre programs to commissioned portraits to period costume design. Education includes Columbia College Chicago (BA) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with prior experience as a staff artist for The Lion and Menagerie at Lyons Township H.S. Personal artistic emphasis: creating/showing character and mood as effectively as possible, whatever the scene.
"How to Draw Real Live People" - fullsize flier (Summer 2009).
"How to Draw Real Live People" - quarter-size handbill (Summer 2009).
Also posted to Starving Artists' Forum (on both Facebook and YahooGroups) and the Aureantes' Realm portfolio/career updates group.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Just in case some potential students happen to run across this...
I still have openings for my Saturday afternoon studio class, and am accepting late registrations over the next week, until April 18 (third scheduled class session for the quarter). If you're an artist (or know an artist) wanting to develop/improve/polish figure drawing and portraiture skills, don't miss out on this opportunity!
______________________________________________________
Class Description - "How to Draw Real Live People" (#19 in La Grange Art League class brochure)
Learn how to portray anyone you want to, with firm technical knowledge and feedback to help you develop your style and portfolio. We'll cover basic anatomy and proportions, light/shadow rendering, creative use of color (crayon, colored pencil, pastels and oil pastels), arranging and extracting poses, conveying personality through visual details, and creating dynamic portraits using live sittings, photographs, imagination and everyday character observation.
This is an ideal intensive course for younger students just getting firmly interested in `drawing people' realistically, as well as for more-experienced artists seeking to hone their skills and focus on the finer points of getting a convincing likeness.
Bring a large (11" x 14"+) sketchbook and standard two-pocket folder, plus your own drawing pencils, colored pencils, crayons and/or pens if desired — in-classroom supplies will be provided; full/optional supplies list available in gallery.
__________________________________________________________
Ages: 12 through adult — younger students accepted if prior students or seriously interested
Dates: April 4 through May 23 (8 weeks)
Time: Saturday 12:30—3:00
Fee: $132 (for the full 8 weeks; late registrations prorated at $16.50/class session)
__________________________________________________________
About the Instructor
Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr has been active as a freelance artist for over twenty years, doing everything from concert/theatre programs to commissioned portraits to period costume design. Education includes Columbia College Chicago (BA) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with prior experience as a staff artist for The Lion and Menagerie at Lyons Township H.S. Personal artistic emphasis: creating/showing character and mood as effectively as possible, whatever the scene.
For private lessons, commissions and projects: 708-579-0787 aureantyev@yahoo.com
Classes are held upstairs at the La Grange Art League 122 Calendar Avenue, La Grange IL 60525 708-352-3101 http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/
Registration forms may be downloaded at http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/classes.html, or register via phone or in person at the LGAL Gallery.
[Also listed at http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cls/1115691613.html until 4/18]
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Class Description - "How to Draw Real Live People" (#19 in La Grange Art League class brochure)
Learn how to portray anyone you want to, with firm technical knowledge and feedback to help you develop your style and portfolio. We'll cover basic anatomy and proportions, light/shadow rendering, creative use of color (crayon, colored pencil, pastels and oil pastels), arranging and extracting poses, conveying personality through visual details, and creating dynamic portraits using live sittings, photographs, imagination and everyday character observation.
This is an ideal intensive course for younger students just getting firmly interested in `drawing people' realistically, as well as for more-experienced artists seeking to hone their skills and focus on the finer points of getting a convincing likeness.
Bring a large (11" x 14"+) sketchbook and standard two-pocket folder, plus your own drawing pencils, colored pencils, crayons and/or pens if desired — in-classroom supplies will be provided; full/optional supplies list available in gallery.
__________________________________________________________
Ages: 12 through adult — younger students accepted if prior students or seriously interested
Dates: April 4 through May 23 (8 weeks)
Time: Saturday 12:30—3:00
Fee: $132 (for the full 8 weeks; late registrations prorated at $16.50/class session)
__________________________________________________________
About the Instructor
Kagen Aurencz Zethmayr has been active as a freelance artist for over twenty years, doing everything from concert/theatre programs to commissioned portraits to period costume design. Education includes Columbia College Chicago (BA) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with prior experience as a staff artist for The Lion and Menagerie at Lyons Township H.S. Personal artistic emphasis: creating/showing character and mood as effectively as possible, whatever the scene.
For private lessons, commissions and projects: 708-579-0787 aureantyev@yahoo.com
Classes are held upstairs at the La Grange Art League 122 Calendar Avenue, La Grange IL 60525 708-352-3101 http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/
Registration forms may be downloaded at http://www.lagrangeartleague.org/classes.html, or register via phone or in person at the LGAL Gallery.
[Also listed at http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cls/1115691613.html until 4/18]
______________________________________________________
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