I absolutely enjoy blind contours. I think that they extremely important, as are gesture drawings. For us to spend just one day on them seems nonsensical and entirely too rushed. I think they are a pivotal part of drawing. Learning to loosen and use our entire bodies is critical, in my opinion. My friend Ross goes to Watkins in Nashville, and they've been doing gesture drawings for six weeks now. I think we should spend more time on it. It would screw up the syllabus, but I really think it's a critical step. Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Doing the portraits was a fabulous departure from the usual homework. Beside the obvious points of them being improportionate and whatnot, they mostly looked like me. I liked the conte one the most, I believe.
Also, Jason: Do you listen to the Black Keys? I really think you'd like them. It's classified as "new blues", I think. Start with the album 'Thickfreakness' and go from there.
The frontman, Dan Auerbach, is playing a solo show at Minglewood Hall in November. You should go.
And, since I assume you like the White Stripes, check out their earlier album "De Stijl". Probably your cup of tea. It was their second record.
Check them all out, actually. They're all great: The White Stripes, De Stijl, White Blood Cells, Elephant, Get Behind Me Satan, and Icky Thump.
The Raconteurs (one of Jack White's brainchildren) is a fabulous band as well. It's Jack White, Jack Lawrence, Brendan Benson, and Patrick Keeler.
He's in another band called the Dead Weather, and the front lady is Allison Mosshart from Kills fame. All good. Jack White is a genius. He's been my idol since I was 11.
