"If you think you’ve seen the same thing twice, you haven’t seen it at all."
Our first class here in Italy, Disegno IN Orvieto is almost over. The next three days we will be working on our final projects for the class, and on Thursday, we will all present them and have one big critique.
For our final, we were given two options to choose from. Either we could create a book that represents a certain aspect or place in Orvieto utilizing a combination of text and image through various multimedia, or we could do one large-scale drawing of a location in Orvieto. Since the more familiar territory for me would be the book project, I chose to do the latter, both as a continuation of the rest of the drawing we have done in the class, and as a personal challenge for myself.
We chose our projects in class, the day after we had returned from Rome. Prof Doll first told the book people what their assignment for the day was, and they all scampered out of the studio to start in on it. Then, he took the seven of us that remained outside, and told us what we were going to do.
Our first assignment was to go for a walk through Orvieto, and come back with an organic object that was small enough to hold in one hand. We all returned with a collection of various oddities ranging from leaves to rocks to pointy spiked shell-like creations. Prof Doll then told us to choose one object, draw that object five times in some sort of composition on one large sheet of paper from various angles, sizes, etc. Then he wanted us to do the exact same thing [different compositions], on two more pieces of paper. Needless to say, it was an intense night for all of us.
The next morning we had our critique. Looking at how beautifully crafted some of the other students had made their papers, I began to feel disheartened. Had I made the right choice? Was I going to be able to reach their level? Another aspect that had frustrated me was that I could never seem to make my compositions look how I had pictured them in my head. In my mind, I knew what would go where, what the proportions would be, etc. Yet, when I looked down at the paper at what I had drawn, none of it matched. I left the critique feeling frustrated and confused.
Next, Prof Doll told us to choose two of our compositions, erase up to seventy-five percent of what we had drawn on them, and make them better, based off of what was said in the critique.
May I point out here that the medium with which we are working is NOT easily erased. It is called conte, a type of compressed charcoal that also has a little bit of oil in it. Even after vigorous erasing and even some sandpapering [which, by the way, smelled awful!], there were still the faint images of my first attempts at drawing my object taunting me in the background as I worked.
I did what was asked of me, and continued to stare at my object, willing it to reveal to me how I could best capture it on paper. Although it took me seemingly twice as long as the rest of the group, I eventually managed to get something on the page that was starting to resemble what my chosen object looked like.
The final step in our preparation process was to fit our three pieces of paper together along with the addition of a brand new sheet of paper to form a rectangle that we then had to make one large scale composition with.
While the final result is not something that I would necessarily describe as ‘good’, it was definitely a vast improvement from where I had begun. The blurry erased images in the background added a texture and depth to my new, cleaner ones on top, and were proof of the evolution that had taken place in a mere matter of days.
Most of all, the exercise taught me the value of being able to stay with one thing. Although collectively, our drawing group wanted to burn our objects after this exercise, it was incredible to realize how hard it is to actually see something. Sight is so often a sense that is taken for granted, yet it is never fully utilized.
This was the cause for my frustration at the beginning of the exercise. I thought I was drawing what I was seeing. What I drew, however, looked nothing like the object. This is because I was drawing what I thought I saw, not what I actually saw. In my mind, I had an idea of what my object should look like, so I tried to draw that instead of what was before my eyes.
Why is it so hard to see something? To study something? To know something? Not just objects or physical structures, but even people? How many people do I have an idea of who they are in my mind, without actually seeing them for who they really are? Can I even see myself?
Some thoughts of the moment. So many more are running through my head each day, I just can’t seem to find the time to write them and flush them out fully.
Still adjusting to the rhythm of life here. Slowly, but surely, things are settling. Each day brings something new.
Chose my final spot for my large-scale drawing. Will go out today to begin the process of seeing all over again. Will it take me as long this time?
Not going to lie, I am nervous for these next few days. Prayers would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if you don’t hear from me this week, it is probably because I am sitting either in my location or the studio, covered in conte and charcoal, trying to hold on to my sanity. That or eating copious amounts of pasta. Or sleeping.
Andiamo.
P.S. Fun story of the week – while the drawing group was out together looking for locations the other day, we came across a wedding reception in the medieval section of the city. They had live music, and next thing we knew the man was singing ‘I Will Survive’. In Italian. I sang along in English, and Hannah S and I got our dance on in the middle of the street. Friends who will be silly and laugh with you are the best.
