Once you have stepped into the Upper School Visual Arts Studio on the 6th floor, the calm and serene energy is instant and infectious. On a recent H Day, students from Classes 10-12 were sitting at the large, collaboration-friendly tables, working on their final term projects.
For this endeavor, the artists in this Drawing FOCUS course were required to create one large drawing (or a series of small ones) using any of the methods and materials they explored in class.
Guided by their Upper School Art teacher, students in this course explore a range of media from the “traditional” (graphite pencil and charcoal) to the more experimental (wire drawings, for example). Throughout the term, they engage in observational art as well as imaginative, building technical and creative skills.
To kick off this final project, students reviewed their work from the term, considering which pieces were their favorites in terms of process and product and determining artistic materials they wanted to further explore.
The possibilities available were vast. Students could work from direct observation (a self-portrait, drawn by looking in a mirror, for example), from a photograph, or from their imaginations. After deliberating with their teacher, they dove into their selected works.
Drawing, painting and chatting quietly, an array of beautiful pieces began to emerge. “I love the sharpness here and the softness of that,” their teacher shared with one student who asked for feedback on their work-in-progress. “It’s great to see the play with texture!”
Using a small charcoal blending tool, another student perfected her figure drawing. “First we used tissues to practice blending,” she said, explaining that they incorporated new and different tools throughout the term and added, “I like this one because you can be more precise.”
Another student shared that she prefers using ink and pencil. “With ink, you can be more creative and colorful.” Another Upper Schooler at the table was meticulously blending her charcoal to make certain sections lighter. “You can apply a bit of pressure when you’re drawing to make it darker,” she noted, but said, ultimately, blending is what changes the hue.
“I didn’t think I could draw, but I really like how this came out,” remarked one Class 11 student who was working on a striking sketch of a fox.
Another student shared that the class often views the work of other artists for inspiration including Matthew Wong, Vincent Van Gogh, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Arel Lisette and Toyin Ojih Odutola, just to name a few. “But we also get to see Chapin students’ art all around us,” she added, looking at a lovely display of former students’ pieces hanging on a cabinet door to her left.
Another artist, when asked about her project, motioned to lovely images on her computer. “My great-grandpa had a dress company, so I’m drawing some of the dresses that I like.” Noting her interest in fashion design, she added that she also plans to incorporate her own creative flare to a few of the pieces.
At a different table, another artist using pastel chalk carefully added bright pops of color to her dark-colored papers. “I like chalk because there are different variations to produce different textures.” Pointing to the three cases in front of her, there was one option that looked like a large colored pencil with a thick point. Another box held thin pieces of chalk with rounded edges and the last one featured long rectangular pieces of chalk with square points on either end.
Throughout the class, the Upper Schoolers are encouraged to take risks and try new things, their confidence – along with their work – on clear and vibrant display.
