TROMPE L'oeIL

PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT #4 - Trompe L'oeil

Assigned: Wednesday, March 5th

In-Progress Critique: tuesday, March 10th - Completed Up to Step #1
In-progress check in: thursday, march 12th - completed up to Step #4

In-Progress check in: tuesday, March 17th - Working on Step #5

In-Progress check in: tuesday, March 24th - Working on Step #7

Final Critique: Thursday, March 26th

Final Due Date: Tuesday, April 7th

ASSIGNMENT: Using detailed additive rendering create a Dichotomy Trompe L’oeil drawing which fools the viewer into thinking they are peering into a shadowbox with objects inside chosen by you. The objects should be chosen intentionally and work towards a chosen dichotomy theme (ex: growth/decay, femininity/masculinity, light/dark, order/chaos, good/evil, etc.)
YOU MAY NOT DRAW FROM AN IMAGE - see Syllabus under Academic Integrity!

DEFINITIONS

Dichotomy - a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Value Drawing - A drawing that uses tones that blend into other tones WITHOUT the existence of line.

Rendered Drawing - Realistic drawing created by the layering of pencils in short strokes in multiple directions.

Trompe L’oeil - French, “To fool the eye.” Visual illusions. A drawing intended to create the illusion of three-dimensionality.

Shadow Box – A shallow 5-sided box (open on one side) that holds “keepsakes” or “interesting items.”

MATERIALS

11”x14” piece of drawing paper (suggested: Stonehenge or Bristol)
Graphite Drawing Pencils (4H – 8B)
Shoe box (or similar sized box)
4-5 small objects of at least 3 different textures
A light source (ex: moveable lamp)
Methods of adhering objects to the inside of the box (wire, tape, etc.) so that the objects will stay in place when the box is upright.

STEPS TO FOLLOW

Step 1 - Make your shadowbox using a shoe box or similar sized box. You can choose to line the inside of your box with fabric if you would like. Fill the box with 4-5 small objects. Consider ways of attaching the objects to the inside of the box (wire, tape, tacks, etc.) so that the objects stay in place while the box is upright. When you are ready, make sure you have a stable place for the box to stand up while you are drawing it. Any visible forms of attachment must be drawn as well.

Step 2 – Provide a direct light source into the shadowbox. We want a strong sense of light and shadow in the drawing. Dramatic side-lighting is a plus.

-Remember – To keep things in relatively the same location during the duration of completing this assignment. You are going to need to draw from the same perspective every time you draw. It may help to keep the box in the same place until you are done with your drawing, or mark the location of your lamp when you start.

Step 3 – On your 11” x 14” drawing paper begin planning out your drawing. As best as you can - We want the edges of the shadow box to line up with the edges of your page, this may take some measuring and border making. Begin with a light gesture of the objects within the shadowbox. Be sure to include the interior lines of the shadowbox if they are not covered up with a material or object.

Step 4 – Plan out your value. Be sure to draw out shadow shapes, value shapes, ALL the shapes within shapes. This will help you tremendously when you start to add value.

Step 5 – Starting with an H pencil, begin laying down your value. Work General to Specific! Use several directions while laying down your media, not just one. It is best to begin with the darkest areas first when assessing value. Consider the texture of the object while you are drawing as well. How can your marks with the pencil portray the texture of your chosen object/surface? Be intentional with your material, don’t just lay down value to lay down value – know why you are doing so.

Step 6 – Continue laying down value gradually moving up the scale of pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, and selectively 8B in those really dark areas. Same conditions apply from Step 5 – every time you use your material (in this case, graphite) be very intentional with the use of it. Consider texture, shape, form, etc.

Step 7 – Details! This is the fun part. Develop all of the tiny details that you can see inside of your shadowbox. This is what makes it a Trompe L’oeil drawing! Continue to consistently re-evaluate objects, reflections, tiny information of texture. Just when you think you have it all down... you don’t... keep going back and observing the object up close. There is ALWAYS more information to put down. However, you will eventually have to stop and turn it in for critique. ;)