Lesson V: Posing Our Subject

Posted: June 29th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Lesson V | 70 Comments »

Good morning, students.  I hope that you had lovely, productive weekends, and that you’re excited about today’s lesson.

Before we begin, I want to allay a concern that I’ve heard whispered on campus, a worry that the hard work present in your homework may be going unnoticed.  The Tutor wants you to know that this is not true.

My six-legged teacher’s aides and I have personally viewed each and every submission thus far, and we are pleased.  I’ve stood outside many of your windows at night watching you work, nodding my head in silent approval.  Even those of you with “mysterious” accents, separated by great bodies of water, should anticipate surprise visits from time to time.

The point being: we’re all in this together, and The Tutor recognizes that in a world full of “normals”, we artists are different.  This difference often leads to feelings of isolation.  In these instances, encouragement is critical, so pat each other on the backs, pupils; you’re doing great work!

In this class, great work is not only encouraged, but also rewarded… so expect some treats on the very near horizon.  For starters, I’m happy to announce a special appearance and presentation by The Tutor during San Diego’s Comic-Con in July.  Stay tuned for more details.

In the meantime, let’s get on with this week’s tutorial: I give you Lesson V: Posing Our Subject:

Felicitations, pupils!  You’ve clinched another class.  This week’s homework assignment is to set up a still life.  In the weeks to come, we will create a painting based on this display.  While this assignment may seem straightforward, keep the following considerations in mind:

Firstly: choose a subject (or subjects) that not only interests you, but is appropriate to your skill level: if you’re a beginner, consider choosing something that’s visually simple; advanced students may wish to pick something more complex.  A still life can be as basic as a teacup or as nuanced as a warehouse full of mannequins.

Secondly: position you still life near your organized workspace.  You should be able to comfortably view your subject while having unobstructed access to your tools.

Thirdly: situate your still life in such a way that it will not be moved or disturbed.  We will be spending the next few weeks drawing and painting this display, so we can’t have it changing before we’re done.  If a permanent display is not possible within your workspace, considering marking the placement of objects with tape so that your still life can be easily and accurately recreated.  A reference photograph wouldn’t hurt either.

Lastly: not only does your display need to be still and consistent, but so does the lighting on your still life.  To do this, you will need to set up a specific light source—a directed lamp, for example.  Use lighting that creates interesting shadows and highlights on your subject.  These contrasting values will be crucial as we begin to paint in later lessons.

As always, submit your completed assignment within this lesson plan.  Please refer to the “Homework” link above for more details.  See you next week!

70 Comments on “Lesson V: Posing Our Subject”

  1. 1 The Masked Artist Jennifer said at 7:07 am on June 29th, 2010:

    Tutor
    you make it such hard work xD are you living your person there for the next few weeks??
    you watch us through windows *shivers*
    great lesson homework will follow when i have any idea on what to do :)

    The Masked Artist (loyal only to the Tutor)

    *birthday next lesson celebrates*

  2. 2 Courtney said at 7:09 am on June 29th, 2010:

    See how you are? You’ve gone and got Shilo all excited that you might be outside her window. Now how will we ever get our homework done, when all she wants to do is smoosh against the glass and look for you??

  3. 3 SavanahCrystal said at 7:14 am on June 29th, 2010:

    ↑ agrees with shilo.

  4. 4 The Masked Artist Jennifer said at 7:25 am on June 29th, 2010:

    i agree with both of the two above *checks window*

    The Masked Artist

  5. 5 Kirkyott said at 7:29 am on June 29th, 2010:

    Haha, love the Susie costume. Now for live subjects; would you suggest keeping them in place with tape or with medical grade morphine?

  6. 6 BG said at 7:35 am on June 29th, 2010:

    oh how glad i am you said it could be something simple my drawing skill isn’t great i can barely draw a circle let alone anything too complicated. This ones defiantly going to be difficult for me as my workspace as already been kinda destroyed by my animals so i think ill be moving the display to the top of my desk where they ar not able to get it.
    I never realized how difficult this drawing thing is, makes me happy that I’m slightly better at writing my stories <3.

  7. 7 Susie said at 7:38 am on June 29th, 2010:

    Tutor, but in order for this to happen the subject must be inanimate, in a coma or tied up in one spot for weeks…. hmm I know the perfect vic….err…subject….

    Kirkyott: This tape works best:
    http://www.amazon.com/Mr-S-Leather-Self-Adhesive-Bondage-Tape/dp/B001SIPDQ4

  8. 8 Eclypse said at 7:39 am on June 29th, 2010:

    As long as I don’t have to draw Susie shooting another canine…. Tutor, you have taken care of that for all of us.

  9. 9 Kirkyott said at 7:47 am on June 29th, 2010:

    Susie: I’ve actually got a couple rolls of that in black and purple. But it wasn’t called superkink fetishy bondage freaky deaky tape, it was just…. jazzy medical tape.

    And now I’m wondering how well it could actually hold someone down. If I’m not back in ten hours, call Chippendale’s and tell them I need more.

  10. 10 The Little One AKA Kyah said at 5:03 pm on June 29th, 2010:

    Ooh, so many ways to go with this….

    You may be “observing” us from our windows, but you have seem to have forgotten the students “observing” you from YOUR window… Wait, I mean…. *runs back to art space to find her gaffe tape*

  11. 11 Miss Mantis said at 12:23 am on July 1st, 2010:

    T-
    I have some bad news. Living in Florida equals storms which equal power surges. The computer was still on during a storm so that when the power went out it was possibly fried. I have my net book, but no way of uploading pictures so I’m really really sorry but I won’t be able to do my homework until the problem is fixed. I’ll do as much as I can while the computer is being fixed and hopefully won’t end up like poor Susie in that creepy chair of yours.
    xoxoxoxox
    Miss Mantis

  12. 12 The Masked Artist Jennifer said at 12:53 pm on July 1st, 2010:

    Hello Tutor :)
    I has done my homework :) and may even be the first one to hand it in *shock*.
    Its my birthday next week :) Sooooo excited :P for your lesson ofcause :P
    sorry about the message on the end of the video i was forced at gun point (i think she stole the gun off Guilty Susie :P )

    Your Loyal Student
    The Masked Artist Jennifer

    Link To Homework –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edhu39g9D5A

  13. 13 Jan said at 3:48 pm on July 1st, 2010:

    I’m still thinking very carefully about what to choose for my subject. I have a lot of cool things to include in a still life, but I have to remember that I’m going to be required to DRAW and PAINT these suckers, so I have to keep it simple. Simple subjects for a simple mind. I will post my homework before the next lesson I promise. Jan must give this one some thought.

  14. 14 Cassie said at 6:23 pm on July 1st, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYUjhipRlB8

    Wow I’m then second person to turn in my homework. I feel special. ^_^

    Anyway, I’m excited to be meeting everyone’s subjects.

  15. 15 Cassie said at 6:34 pm on July 1st, 2010:

    Oh and I did some extra work with last weeks lesson. The link below is to a painting I did using an image transfer like we learned last week. ^_^ Just thought I’d share.

    http://fav.me/d2sxbxo

  16. 16 Cassie said at 6:37 pm on July 1st, 2010:

    Ok so the link above wasn’t working for me and seeing as I don’t know how it will work for you guys, here’s an alternative link:

    http://cassluvsmusic.deviantart.com/#/d2sxbxo

  17. 17 Nicole said at 8:13 pm on July 1st, 2010:

    Homework 5 attached…Captive this one is for you…I tried to add a bit more sexy in to my typically straight-laced homework so you did not feel like the only “perv” I mostly just felt silly

  18. 18 Cathleen (CaptiveInnocence) said at 12:27 am on July 2nd, 2010:

    LOL thanks Nicole! Skeksis cutlery OMG AWWWWWWESOME! I loved the sexy stuff but I was completely turned on by the cutlery! Wow I have issues….

    And I have not started my homework yet. Bad Cathy. Bad.

  19. 19 'Peaches said at 12:40 am on July 2nd, 2010:

    You’ll find my homework here, slightly later than I would have liked. My apologies.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDS46QAHlQ

  20. 20 SavanahCrystal said at 3:34 am on July 2nd, 2010:

    here is my homework for lesson five. was hoping to get it in sooner but this was the soonest my subject and i could work it out. anyways.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU_tD2dMNrc

    hope it is good.
    Thankyou for another amazing lesson!! :D

  21. 21 Kirkyott said at 4:04 pm on July 2nd, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrMszprqwZk

    There’s my homework. Sure enough, I woke up in the middle of the night last night, saw the damn mask and threw my phone at it.

    Because the smart thing to do when you think there’s an intruder in your room is to throw your only means of communication at it.

  22. 22 BG said at 3:38 am on July 3rd, 2010:

    ok so heres the thing i thought and thought and in my mind theres nothing i can try that wont end up looking extremly bad….like horribly bad
    i went through a phase of drawing…ahem..attempting to draw cats so this was all i could think of
    so this is my submission for lesson 5 http://babygoth666.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-5-169867887
    im aware that its not posable again…..otherwise my cat would be very well trained…but as i could think of nothing else this is all i have.
    I understand if its not good enough and will bow out of school if you wish

  23. 23 Cathleen (CaptiveInnocence) said at 12:03 am on July 4th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTUgoku-2_w

  24. 24 Red Queen said at 3:06 am on July 4th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMMZmFFUnSQ

  25. 25 v said at 3:48 am on July 4th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMMZmFFUnSQ

  26. 26 Constance said at 1:51 am on July 5th, 2010:

    I am thoroughly enjoying The Tutor!! I dont have an ounce of artistic talent, but I know an artist when I see one. The talent skipped a generation in my family, unfortunately.

  27. 27 Elquinjena said at 4:14 am on July 5th, 2010:

    Greetings fellow students, and Tutor.
    Here is my homework for the week, even though I feel ……it is lacking something, a spark, a twist
    ah well ….can’t be twisted all the time..hope you will enjoy none the less.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKKPE2nenQ

  28. 28 The Little One AKA Kyah said at 4:35 am on July 5th, 2010:

    I guess I like sending my work in at literally the last minute so I won’t have to wait for the next lesson. Then again I just suck at using my time wisely so yeah… Anyways! Here’s my still life! (Hopefully, I will be able to do this justice when I paint it.)
    http://sqwarrior-empress.deviantart.com/#/d2t9t5m
    The picture is a little fuzzy, but I have it all set up so it works out.
    Actually the buttons spilling out are antiques and over 100 years old. Were my grandma’s. Fun fact…..

  29. 29 Jan said at 12:59 pm on July 5th, 2010:

    Finally chose my objects for my still life. Everything I thought would look cool was way too complicated for me. It’d be so much easier if this was a lesson in photography instead.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAqvgdqxtVY

  30. 30 Donovan said at 8:14 pm on July 5th, 2010:

    I may get detention, something I Used to be familiar with, but my homework will be late. It has not arrived yet, maybe due to the holiday mail? I ordered them before lesson 5 was given, so it was kind of a coincidence I’m choosing them for my subjects. They’re coming from Canada, No air holes needed…..they’re already dead…..

  31. 31 Bonnie said at 3:02 am on July 6th, 2010:

    Lesson Five here, Tutor:

    http://filledemarius.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-Five-170221378

  32. 32 Lorrie said at 3:31 am on July 6th, 2010:

    Lesson Five, my good sir.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2upc6fgMZg

  33. 33 Lezzy said at 3:32 am on July 6th, 2010:

    Oh my, this was /almost/ late!
    Anyway, I chose to go with a bit of an art theme for my still life.
    http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i219/lezzy-cat/art%20shtuf/100_1910.jpg
    I may add in a couple extra things before beginning the actual piece, but this is my starting point, and I really like the angle (and I just noticed the palettes behind her look kind of like wings..)
    She is actually positioned /on/ my art table (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i219/lezzy-cat/art%20shtuf/100_1911.jpg), but I think it adds to the theme of the piece, and I do still have ample workspace (as you can see, I have an unrelated work in progress currently in the table easel), and can easily access my tools.

  34. 34 Scully said at 3:44 am on July 6th, 2010:

    My name is Scully and I am posing my subject with The Tutor

    Took most of the week to find some bits that would go with the piece I have started. I think this very still life should work well with the theme as a background and give me some practice with lots of edges and shadows.

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53524946&l=4b6164d044&id=10019024
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53524947&l=46b18495be&id=10019024

    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2673061&id=10019024&l=967da43c58

  35. 35 Christine said at 4:05 am on July 6th, 2010:

    Here is my assignment for lesson five, Tutor. :)
    http://mystpixi.deviantart.com/art/Painting-with-the-Tutor-5-170227520

  36. 36 Miranda Angelic said at 4:26 am on July 6th, 2010:

    It turned out really grainy this week… not sure why. Could be all the running and falling in the woods…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwHEdkQkm7g

    Run, rabbit, run…

  37. 37 Reyana said at 5:28 am on July 6th, 2010:

    Lesson 5
    My name is Reyana and I am Posing Our Subject with The Tutor:
    I decided to do a picture of my mother when she was a child.

    http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll26/rk_nalani/The%20Tutor/012.jpg

    http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll26/rk_nalani/The%20Tutor/011.jpg

    My lighting:
    http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll26/rk_nalani/The%20Tutor/014.jpg

    Again my homework is at the last minute…lol. Sorry I’m picky and I like to take my time. I can design and pose my subject, we’ll see if I can draw and paint it…lol!

  38. 38 Scully said at 5:43 am on July 6th, 2010:

    Kirkyott that was pretty clever to use the coat hanger.

  39. 39 Susie said at 6:07 am on July 6th, 2010:

    Sorry, I had problems with my subject being uncooperative and then my song choice was muted. ><

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-xtmeoxErk

  40. 40 Sarah in Colorado said at 4:33 pm on July 6th, 2010:

    Dear Tutor,
    I have many excuses as to why my homework was not handed in yesterday, but I will spare you. I am asking for an extension for this assignment, and I will have both assignment #5 and #6 for you this week. Please do not admonish me… too much.

  41. 41 Elizabeth Ann said at 9:54 pm on July 6th, 2010:

    It’s late, there are no excuses. I’m a terrible, terrible student :(

    http://elizabethunseelie.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2teio0

    http://elizabethunseelie.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2teiu6

    http://elizabethunseelie.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2teiz7

  42. 42 Jessica said at 2:42 am on July 7th, 2010:

    forgive me, wise tutor, for i have fallen behind on my classes due to my computer meeting an untimely demise. after punishing myself vigorously, i shall do everything in my power to catch back up on my homework.

  43. 43 Spenser said at 11:03 pm on July 7th, 2010:

    This was so much fun! A friend of mine posed as Sweeney Todd sitting in the chair holding the razor. It came out very nicely.

  44. 44 Cathy said at 6:40 am on July 8th, 2010:

    G-day Tutor!
    Sorry this is late again, but those pesky bugs in my system have been at it again.
    I have decided to go with a floral arrangement, as I used to be able to draw flowers rather well. To stop them from decaying, I’ve cheated and gone fake! ;) I’ve also added some extra elements to my boquet….I believe that it is important to hide…um, I mean place your objects in plain sight. What is more innocent than a vase of tropical flowers?? ;) Until next week Sir, Have a good one!
    Cathy, (Aussie Ex-Change Student) :)

  45. 45 Cathy said at 6:41 am on July 8th, 2010:

    G-day Tutor…Again!
    Um, duh, but I forgot to add my link.
    Here it is! :)
    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=179555&id=577562016&l=80e5139ccf

  46. 46 Johnna said at 3:45 am on July 9th, 2010:

    My homework is late, very sorry.. I’ll try to be a good student and have my homework in on time from now on.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-QG0sytuHc

  47. 47 Erin Atkinson said at 4:03 am on July 9th, 2010:

    AHH im late again! WHOOPS! dont worry ill get my next video done by tuesday and be all caught up!! THANK YOOOUZ! MAH HOMEWERK!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhvA5QEzr9A

  48. 48 Lauren Jay said at 5:36 am on July 12th, 2010:

    Ello Ello!

    My name’s Lauren Jay & I’m posing my subject with The Tutor!

    Link: http://perfectcolourchaos.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-V-170987076

    I may need another day to get the last one up since i did all these in one day, but I’ll try to have it started by tonight so i can finish it off tomorrow! Sorry Tutor!! I’m almost caught up!

  49. 49 Quinn C. said at 6:34 pm on July 12th, 2010:

    Dear Mr. Tutor,

    I’m very sorry my home work is well… late. Ive been having some trouble with my heath and finding what to use. But here it is :] http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu242/graverobber_lover_123/?action=view&current=041.jpg

  50. 50 Anaesthesia said at 8:04 pm on July 12th, 2010:

    You stand outside my window? Considering I live on the top floor that’s damn impressive. I have now decided that you are Cockroachman. Like Spiderman, but creepier. And harder to kill.

    Here’s my homework.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoWIF9uNKV8

  51. 51 Chris said at 9:53 pm on July 12th, 2010:

    Sorry for lateness and will accept the relevant punishment.

    http://ithinkimchris.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-5-171065484#/d2tuiz0

  52. 52 Donovan said at 12:39 am on July 14th, 2010:

    Here are my subjects, although, not in their final pose…We are still discussing that. Yeeess, I can hear them…..

    http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=139845432&albumID=2590244&imageID=45534992

  53. 53 Sarah said at 2:57 am on July 17th, 2010:

    Here is my homework.

    http://onelonelyday.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-V-171607005

  54. 54 Mandie S said at 7:04 am on July 18th, 2010:

    This is me posing our subject with The Tutor

    http://guiltymandie.deviantart.com/#/d2u90d9

    I do hope my choice doesn’t offend The Tutor’s delicate sensibility!

  55. 55 Katwood92 said at 2:34 am on July 19th, 2010:

    Here’s my homework:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdmfzDSYRIQ
    Almost caught up! Yay!

  56. 56 Lindsey / Grell-chan said at 7:49 am on July 20th, 2010:

    Here’s my homework, sorry it’s so terribly late. Here~ http://grell-chan.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2uejcf

  57. 57 Chi Briar said at 10:50 am on July 20th, 2010:

    This is Chi Briar with her late homework on posing the subject.

    http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t283/Zumi-sensei/IMG_9347.jpg

  58. 58 Test_subj said at 9:07 am on July 21st, 2010:

    I do want to say that I am indeed working on my projects. It’s just taken me a little time to properly source the parts that I need for my still life and preserve them to be room stable for several weeks. Here is a current picture of me embalming a heart.

    http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac325/Test_subj/The%20Tutor/IMG_5351.jpg

  59. 59 Libby said at 9:30 am on July 27th, 2010:

    Lesson 5! Sorry that all these assignments are late, but I’m almost all caught up!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oocaux0fpB8

    I’ve added a little more to the design since this was done, but that will be in the next video :)

  60. 60 Marissa M. said at 4:40 am on July 31st, 2010:

    This was the hardest part, I have so many ideas in my mind! But this teapot was just calling my name.

    http://girllunar.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-Lesson-V-173410432

  61. 61 Krystal W. said at 5:30 am on July 31st, 2010:

    Iam not using that chair youll see in the next lesson (iam catchin up right know) but this is my posed subject

    http://xxmazoxx.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-lesson-V-173412566

  62. 62 Ophelia said at 8:56 am on July 31st, 2010:

    My name is Ophelia and I am choosing and posing my subject with The Tutor.

    http://jackiephoto.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2v94yk

  63. 63 christina said at 12:42 am on August 3rd, 2010:

    This homework is just a picture. I used two candles, a sleek & sculpted kitty with a pink & gold trimmed flower.

    http://crosetdesign.info/kitty.JPG

  64. 64 Amanda M. said at 2:42 am on August 6th, 2010:

    So, I am finally all caught up with my homework as a late enrollee. Here’s lesson V for The Tutor

    http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-5-posing-subject-174173865

  65. 65 Lisette said at 11:36 pm on August 10th, 2010:

    http://lisettetutorhomework.blogspot.com/2010/08/lesson-v-posing-my-subject.html

  66. 66 Lauren (KikyoCat) said at 7:04 am on August 12th, 2010:

    Here you are, Tutor..

    http://kikyocat.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-Five-With-The-Tutor-175007221

    Though I messed up with the titles in this and lesson six >< But here is my homework..

    Halfway caught up?.. D:
    I'm trying, sir!

    - Lauren (kikyocat)

  67. 67 Desiré said at 11:52 pm on August 14th, 2010:

    Homework 5

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcLRxQoKPD0

  68. 68 redhead312 said at 10:05 pm on September 5th, 2010:

    My name is Megan and I am posing my subject with the tudor.

    http://redhead312.deviantart.com/art/posing-our-subject-178197275

  69. 69 Jesse said at 12:07 am on September 7th, 2010:

    I don’t know whether to be excited or creeped.
    Will be watching my window very closely.
    Anywayyyy….
    Here’s meh homework.
    I picked an awesome ancient broken drum with stuff carved in it.
    It’s cool.
    http://theif-of-zydrate.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2y6f5v

  70. 70 Jessica Wilkinson said at 4:39 am on September 11th, 2010:

    http://talashowl.deviantart.com/art/Title-Unknown-178824972

    Here’s my still life set up, i should have it drawn and painted by tomorrow :)

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