College Artwork

February 25, 2014 | ssemchuk

February 25, 2014

Having had no opportunity to paint this past week I have no new artwork for my blog. Instead I am posting artwork that I created in college while I was studying graphic design. After storing these pieces for years, moving from one place to another, about ten years ago I decided to photograph the ones I liked and to toss the originals. Sadly, what I thought were good photos at the time were very mediocre. And some of the dates are best guesses – as are most of the dimensions. Most of these were done as specific assignments – some quite obviously. Other’s not so much. Clearly I preferred some mediums far more than others. And maybe one day I’ll gain some rudimentary skill with watercolour – or not. And that’s ok. It is what it is.

Benetton Wasteland, Apr 1990, Watercolour & Gouache on Illustration Board, 24″ X 19″

Too Late Already, Mar 1990, Silkscreen on Mayfair, 20″ X 24″

Single Family, Feb 1990, Tech Pen on Illustration Board, 26″ X 12″

Not the Red Planet, Nov 1989, Watercolour & Gouache on Mayfair, 14″ X 14″

Timeless, Oct 1989, Tech Pen on Illustration Board, 24″ X 20″

The Ultimate Driving Experience, Oct 1989, Coloured Pencil, Marker & Inkjet on Paper, 8.5″ X 11″

Eleventh Hour, Mar 1989, Gouache on Mayfair, 15″ X 18″

Fashion Bits, Feb 1989, Gouache on Mayfair, 8″ X 16″

Pentax K-1000, Jan 1989, Tech Pen & Ink on Illustration Board, 18″ X 13.5″

Life Drawing Sketch, Dec 1988, Vine Charcoal on Newsprint, 20″ X 24″

Less talk, more art.

Quote | February 16, 2014February 25, 2014 | ssemchuk

February 16, 2014

“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.”

– Stella Adler

One Half Valentine's Day — One Half Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, 2014, Acrylic on Canvas Board, 14″ X 11″

Empty Pots, Nov 1988, Charcoal on Paper, 20″ X 24″

Great Tights, Jun 1988, Graphite on Paper Grid Drawing, 30″ X 38″

Everything in Front of You, Feb 9, 1988, Ink on Paper, 20″ X 24″

Green Bananas, 1985, Charcoal and Conte on Construction Paper, 11″ X 8.5″

Life Drawing, November 12, 2013

December 1, 2013 | ssemchuk

Last life drawing class for awhile and we started out drawing on newspaper – another exercise in loosening up. It was a good last class – hopefully I will have a chance to do more of this in the new year.

First three: Oil Stick on Newspaper, newspaper sized.

Last two: Vine and Compressed Charcoal on Paper, 18″ X 24″.

Life Drawing, November 5, 2013

December 1, 2013December 1, 2013 | ssemchuk

Having survived a very busy last few weeks, I am finally getting around to posting the results of my last two Life Drawing classes. On our second last class, we began by drawing with a stick dipped in India Ink. In spite of the puddles of ink on the floor, I really enjoyed this technique. Maybe with a drop cloth I could start doing this at home. Or not. It definitely helped us loosen up our drawings and be more spontaneous. Later on in class we were able to switch to brushes and ink and then charcoal.

First five: Figure Sketches, India Ink on Newsprint, 18″ X 24″.

Last two: Figure Sketches, Vine and Compressed Charcoal on Newsprint, 18″ X 24″.

More figure sketches and blue pears.

November 3, 2013 | ssemchuk

Another week of figure drawing class. And for a change I spent today painting, rather than staying up far into the night. I’m not sure I prefer it though – somehow time feels different in the middle of the night and I don’t feel as controlled by the clock. Not that I don’t suffer the following week from lack of sleep. Hmmm.

Figure Sketches, Vine Charcoal on Newsprint, 18″ X 24″.

Payne’s Grey Pears, Take Two, Acrylic on Canvas Board, 10″ X 10″.

Figures, Faces, Hands and Pears

October 27, 2013 | ssemchuk

Nice rhythm, but it doesn’t really rhyme. And although we drew feet in class on Tuesday as well, I just didn’t think any of them were even worth including. I tried out oil stick on newsprint and didn’t mind it. I thought my first drawing of our model’s face went not badly, but it’s pretty difficult to believe that the other two are even the same person. Hands…. well, they speak for themselves. I really enjoyed working monochromatically on my pear painting and I think I will try to do more of that, but probably without this outlining thing next time.

Figure Sketches, Oil Stick on Newsprint, 18″ X 24″.

Face and Hand Sketches, Vine Charcoal on Newsprint, 18″ X 24″.

Payne’s Grey Pears, Acrylic on Canvas Board, 10″ X 10″.

This week: Barenaked Men – or one at least…

October 20, 2013 | ssemchuk

Second week of figure drawing and it just didn’t go nearly as well as the first. I’m not sure why but I really struggled with proportion and relationships and everything else that would have made these sketches look better. It’s a process – let’s see what happens next week. Hopefully I’ll be able to do some painting again soon as well.

Figure Sketches, Vine Charcoal on Newsprint, 18″ X 24″.

Figure Drawing and an Apple in Hand

October 14, 2013October 15, 2013 | ssemchuk

On Tuesday I started my figure drawing class. It’s been a long time since I have drawn the figure and I wasn’t sure how it would go and how frustrating I’d find it. As it turned out, I really enjoyed it and found that other than my shoulder and feet getting tired, it went very quickly. I felt I did ok and a lot of what I’ve learned previously came back – now let’s see how much I can improve by the end of the six weeks. We started the class with some quick sketches, then some gestures and blind contours. The last three were 15 minute poses.

Then last night I did some more painting. I thought – hey – let’s see what happens if I use retarding medium in my paint. Bad idea – it seems that I’ve grown used to the short drying time of acrylics and slowing it down was just plain annoying. I’ll call it a learning experience. I wasn’t thrilled with how my painting turned out, but I liked the subject matter and may have to return to it again down the road to see if I could do better.

Figure Sketches Vine Charcoal on Newsprint, 18″ X 24″.

Apple in Hand, Acrylic on Canvas Board, 10″ X 10″.

More Tomatoes and a Boy

September 29, 2013September 29, 2013 | ssemchuk

Unlike last weekend, I did manage to find some time to make a little bit of art. I even spent some time sketching this week, although only one of those images is appearing here. Ben wanted me to draw a picture of him in a weird position – looks a little like a napping zombie to me – minus the blood. And another installment of my tomato series with a different approach that I thought would be fun.

Zombie Boy, Marker on Paper, 9″ x 12″

Tomatoes Four, Acrylic on Canvas Board, 10″ x 10″