Lesson VI: Selecting a Subject
Posted: July 6th, 2010 | Author: The Tutor | Filed under: Lesson VI | 72 Comments »G’day, students. We’re 6 weeks into the course and I’m happy to announce the details for our first fieldtrip… so get your permission slips signed and join me and director/principal Shem Andre Byron for an evening of adventure at San Diego’s Comic-Con!
There, we will debut a new lesson from “The Tutor” and answer questions about the class. The lecture will be followed by a live shadow-casted screening of REPO! The Genetic Opera, and copies of The Molting Comic will be available in the theatre. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your lunchboxes, top off your thermoses, and order your tickets today! Click on the poster below for details. Note: you do not need a ticket to Comic-Con to attend this event; it’s a separate location and independent box office.
Now, please direct your attention to this week’s tutorial: Lesson VI: Selecting a Subject:
Close your Velcro binders and zip up your backpacks, students… we’ve just completed another lesson! This week’s homework assignment is to interject a personal element into your still life from Lesson 5. This may seem simple, but it is perhaps the most challenging assignment yet…
In this class, I can teach you technical aspects of creating artwork, but I cannot provide you with an artistic “voice”. This task is entirely yours.
You will notice that what separates great artists from plebeians is not merely technique, but visual style and motif. For Salvador Dalí, it was a moustache. For Al Hirschfeld, it was “Nina”. For Albert DeSalvo, it was nylon stockings. And for that Zdunich fellow, it’s those imperishable 6-legged pests.
What will your voice be? What can you include in your still life that is specific to you? Many of you are already demonstrating distinctive “voices” within your homework, and your still life should be no different.
This task may seem daunting, but do not fret, dearest students; we don’t need to get everything correct on our first try. Our artwork will mature with us, and so will our “voices”. All that matters is that we consider our personality as we progress so that we are not merely mimicking, but creating.
The “something special” that you add to your still life can be very simple, like a specific color or symbol, or it can be exceptionally complicated, like red pigtails, a handgun, and ruby red slippers.
I look forward to seeing your “voices” develop, students. For details on how to submit your assignment, visit the “Homework” link above. See you next week!
ShareThis
Oh man, and I’d just gotten over my depression from not being able to attend Comic Con. This is my third year in a row that I’ve been foiled. Well, back to angsting.
And also finding my voice. This lesson seems difficult but I’m excited to see what I and other people come up with!
Tutor
ah well i will live. BUT i have a request :p would the tutor type happy birthday to me??? it would make my life 
Pretty please or something more drastic may happen with that knife -.-
this lesson does not seem simple … mean lesson for my birthday
homework will follow soon i hope
The Masked Artist Jennifer
P.s please
it will really make me a very happy student xD
It might be hard to make this piece more personal since it’s already largely a commentary about my experience with SE Lupus. Suppose I might be able to make it a little more ‘clinical’ since prescriptions and doctors seem to have their own role to play in this too. I shall have to go have a think.
This is a no-brainer for me! I know exactly what to add. Photos to follow.
lol okay so maybe im just stupid ive watched the video ten times and i still dont get what im supposed to be handing in
Lacking both money and a car, there is very little chance of me being able to go on the field trip ): .I only live a state away…so close yet so far. Homework will be up later this week though ^_^
Heh BG you’re not alone. I’m slightly baffled as well. I understand having one’s own style, but handing it in as homework is what’s throwing me off.
I could be making it up but what I think the Tutor wants you to decide what you are trying to convey to the audience with your still life. Make the viewer under why you have chosen the subject and why it’s relevant to them.
For example if you chose an apple. Why did you choose the apple? Is it the shape, the texture, color? Or something it represents knowledge, poison, life, pie? Find a way to communicate that if your picture.
Just check out the second to last paragraph.
“The “something special” that you add to your still life can be very simple, like a specific color or symbol, or it can be exceptionally complicated, like red pigtails, a handgun, and ruby red slippers.”
So find something that really means YOUR voice and add it to your display. Or if you’ve already added it, make sure you point it out? It makes sense, it’s a good assignment. What’s the point of drawing if you’re not going to put some soul into it.
Doesn’t make it any less difficult, though. @_@
well kirk the way you explain it kinda makes sense but my subject is my cat and i cat make her sit still without killing her (never gonna happen) so i handed in a picture of her for my last homework…..so i have no clue how im going to do this….i could rite a story about what my cats mean to me lmao…*points at self* fail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osEPyJTNzM4
@BG
Or maybe you could find something to draw that would sit still. If the cat’s alive, it’s not going to deign to do what you want (seriously, cats are dicks. Cute, fluffy, adorable dicks). And cat killing is highly frowned upon on the internets, so maybe it might be better to find something a little more possible to draw.
It’d be better than dropping out, which I think you mentioned in the comments last time. We don’t want you to go!
well the thing is that…i dont draw…..like at all lol and i can kind of draw a cats head which is why i chose cat…..i seriously cannot draw anything else i cant do demensions textures so i have no friggen clue as to what else to pick.. and i dont wanna drop out this is one of those things im actually really into bah ill try to figure it out by tuesday
BG don’t worry. Have you got any cat toys or ornaments? They could be a nice transition for you? Don’t worry about the drawing yet, everyone’s here to learn.
I can assure you all that the Al fellow mentioned above didnt go around writing Nina on his subjects before painting them.
The reason this lesson is so confusing is because we didn’t start painting but our “special something” could easily be something found in the application of our painting as opposed to a physical addition to the still life. It can be either.
If theres something you’re known for ie: a color- another example the tutor mentioned- then I’d say you could rightly submit proof of copious amounts of its presence in your life; professing your intention to feature it prominently in your work.
I’ve mentioned ZEN in all my previous videos, but I haven’t really decided if I want to stick to that as a “signature.”
Art is about self expression and interpretation. The reason art appeals to so many is b/c it gives the viewer a voice (just like the artist), It ISN’T about drawing a perfect representation….it’s about emotion, attitude and release.
BG, it doesn’t matter if you can accurately draw…it matters that you find something that moves you and gives the audience/viewer a chance to be moved….
“Art is not about the outward appearance, but the inward significance…”~Aristotle.
G-Day Tutor! I see some of my Aussie slang has rubbed off….you could almost sound like a local!
I do however look forward to watching your slide show in our darkened class room when you all get back! All those attending, please take notes, as there might be a quiz! 
Um…I am unable to attend next weeks feild trip, as, although I am a rather good swimmer, I am not good enough to swim across the ocean to attend!
Homework will be on time this week!
Regards, Cathy
(Aussie Ex-change Student)
I stayed up late to finish my homework. I’m going to be so tired at work tomorrow, but I’ll take a nap in my car at lunch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BQCGGulmek
Again, later than I would have liked to turn in my homework, but I actually had to think about this lesson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnIj4dbrbQg
A bit rushed I admit, but in on time. And I’ll have my video camera back for next week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAafGkuDnrY
well im still working hard to try to figure out what im gonna do for this lesson. BUT if i dont end up handing anything in i thank everyone for trying to help me and i must say thank you to the tutor youve got my creative juices flowing and all i wanna do lately is lock myself in a room and write until my hand falls off…tis been a while since ive had the writing bug in me and i forgot how much i friggen loved it >.<
Tutor this lesson is sooo hard :’(
i have no idea on what to do at all …
please be kind with your next lesson and not be so hard to understand
your loyal student
The Masked Artist Jennifer
(homework will come when i work out what you actually want …)
Every artist must have a deeper understanding of their motives and their subject. Therefore I have performed a bit of a dissection on this piece so we can see its inner workings
This is obviously a personal piece and I even used a picture of myself…no laughing at my bum you cheeky monkeys.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53670364&l=735187bef0&id=10019024
Wolves are featured prominently in a lot of my life and work. Probably because I hand raised this hybrid from a pup.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53670365&l=3cd04b7e22&id=10019024
3 years of highschool were devoted to formally developing and researching the theme.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53671005&l=8bcead50fd&id=10019024
Kiela even took part in my senior thesis
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53670368&l=4908c0768c&id=10019024
I also included my theme less formally in college. Such as my final project for native american religious studies
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53670366&l=7c2a8b50bb&id=10019024
Which made my SE Lupus diagnosis in 2008 all the more ironic.
My hands were the most affected, as you can see from the extensive brace collection, and stopped me from working on things I love for more than a year since I could only hold a pencil for small amounts of time before the pain became overwhelming.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53670363&l=b7b442fea9&id=10019024
So the wolves in my life contain both beauty and bite. It is the struggle to learn to live with both these last two years that I am painting
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=53670367&l=fca67c147d&id=10019024
Magnolia Electric Co. seems to say it best “Want my heart to break if it must break in your jaws”
Greetings to my fellow students and to the Tutor.
I offer you my homework for lesson 6, which has a unexpected visitor. I did not seek her out, she found me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdxVVZFVtlQ
I may not have been drawing or painting for very long, but shadows have always been a common theme throughout my work. I don’t mean I use shadows as in a place to artistically hide something from the world for reasons of fear, but more as in a safe place to observe the world. With all my work, even my early writings, there has been someone or something observing or narrating in the background. There’s always a character that knows more than the audience does about the matter at that time and those characters are always hidden in the shadows, in either a literal or figurative sense.
This is why I took another picture of my subject in black and white with a more dramatic shadow falling across it. It may seem simplistic, but it’s very complicated in my head!
And I’m quite certain a bit of Jung’s “shadow” played into it as well…
Homework: http://sqwarrior-empress.deviantart.com/#/d2tskfz
V and I are playing hooky for a few weeks…see ya when we get back!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSKXcXle4HE
I have prior obligations for a few weeks….dragging Red with me….see you all when we return!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSKXcXle4HE
Tutor
well erm … here is my homework i don’t really think it is any good … maybe my worst homework yet so for this i apologize.
Also i am very sorry that i am scraping the hand in date this week i will try to be better with my next homework
Your Loyal Student
The Masked Artist
Link to homework —> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUiTm_eUkpA
I know a lot of students are saying they were confused by this weeks lesson but so far I think all the homework submissions have been very interesting.
Elquinjena, your videos always trip me out. I love them, but my eyes are constantly freaking like, “Ack, what’d you do with the perpective? Fix it or I’mma give your a stigmatism!”
I think they’re interesting because it doesn’t seem to be quite as concrete with what we’re supposed to do, so we get a little more creativity and freedom to try stuff.
btw, I might be a day or two late with mine. Broke my ankle and it’s a good half mile of hobbling to the computer lab, so I didn’t get as much time working on it as I wanted. It will be done for sure tomorrow, though, if I can’t get it up tonight.
I am glad you like them, Kirkyott, thank you. I am sorry the backgrounds are wigging your eyes out, but they are surpose to be Surreal in quailty. I know that zooming makes it worst rather than just “cut to”.
I try hard to create something interesting to watch yet still deliver the required homework, even if its in a warped and twisted way =D
Lesson Six homework, Tutor. I do hope that it is satisfactory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIcXGQcUmwo
My name is Reyana and I am selecting my subject with The Tutor.
Lesson 6:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll26/rk_nalani/The%20Tutor/DSC00872.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll26/rk_nalani/The%20Tutor/DSC00875.jpg
Here’s an explanation on why I chose to incorporate these things into my live pose:
My favorite colors are black, red and purple.
I’ve always had a fascination with butterflies since little kid time. Butterflies also signify to me how much I’ve grown into my own.
Dragonflies hold a special significance to my mother.
I love the classic rose and its’ representation of the feminine.
I chose a pic of my mother when she was a child in her ballet pose. I like the grace and innocence she portrays in this particular pic and I don’t think she let me use a recent pic…lol.
I borrowed a friends’ camera, so my pics look alot better! Goodness, I really need to invest in one lol! Definitely put more thought in this lesson and I’m really happy on how it turned out!
All of my loose ends are literally being tied and packed up this week. I’m moving. This basement is getting a bit cramped!
Still working out my artistic signature… likely something to do with nature (hence the animal skulls and my dog). We’ll see…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv-Ezr7X0Fc
No no no, don’t apologize! I really love it, it’s got this weird quality to it that I kinda like. Creepy, surreal but you’re still able to see what’s going on.
uhm. ok. to start. I don’t mind turning this in at a later date. I know i took my time to represent myself and therefore my artistic voice. HOWEVER! I did not want to turn it in this late. My great grandfather was hospitalized last week due to a series of mini strokes and him living in some alternate reality…WEIRD!! but it caused a lot of problems and time with hospital visits, taking care of him, and taking care of his house.. also my camera is not with me so i had to take what crappy pictures I could with my cell phone.
I’d rather have something turned in on time, even if it is crap, than nothing.
But, I WILL redo this weeks homework. It WILL be of much better quality and it WILL be turned in, in a timely fashion. Should be by Wednesday afternoon. So sorry again, for this being almost late, for it being crappy quality, and for me not being a better student. I hope you won’t be irritated by my issues…and circumstances..anyways..here is the crap :/
http://slytherin-savanah.deviantart.com/gallery/
I hope it will do for now.
Not going to lie, this one was a killer (no pun intended). Here you go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buXB_z0DXOU
Last minute, I know. But I’ve been trying to come up with something good for a week!
I decided to stay with the most prominent parts of my still life and play around with the fringe elements. Hope these are okay, Tutor!
http://mystpixi.deviantart.com/art/Painting-with-the-Tutor6-1-171112155
http://mystpixi.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2tvj6l
http://mystpixi.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2tvjn3
These are just a few of the displays I tried. I didn’t want to upload all of the pictures, as some of them were quite bad, in retrospect.
okay so i know i changed it from the last thing but since i was so conflicted about it a talking to a artist friend of mine made me realize i need to be comfortable with it and i need to draw it for me…not everyone else im not sure if i was supposed to actually draw it up but if i am i will.
its not really a certain palce set up as much as something put together.
the personal aspect well like i said with the holding the pencil the right way HIM (as emo as it sounds) as done alot for me and this is more personal then anything else i could think of…i hope this pleases the tutor as im not sure if its actually what i was supopsed to do lol
BUT
my name is carissa aka BG and this is my homework for lesson 6
http://babygoth666.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-6-1-171113614
http://babygoth666.deviantart.com/art/lesson-6-2-171113762
http://babygoth666.deviantart.com/art/lesson-6-3-171113809
http://babygoth666.deviantart.com/art/lesson-6-4-171113899
It is finally all done I had to tie up some loose ends before I could do it…namely finishing grad school but now that the pesky business of grad school is over I should be back on track posting with in 48 hours again….any how here is this weeks response… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flCc2c8bR8M
OK… so the real reason I had to change subjects is my old one was sick all this week… like I said, unreliable….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76CG7is7jEg
I agree with Sully, there are a lot of interesting submissions. I very much enjoyed seeing all of them. ^^
And I really like the effects you add to your videos Elquinjena. Even if they are trippy. 8P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku8E_iIGPaI
Wow….the first time I’ve ever been late turning in an assignment….
I feel so…bad. But at least it’s in.
It’s about time, but here’s my video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7y-sYpopdg
You gotta forgive the end. I figured that I’ve got to get a Repo or a Molting reference in SOMEWHERE, and this opportunity presented itself. Seriously, you’ve no idea how loopy vicodin makes me. @_@
SavanahCrystal , many hugs to you and your great grandfather. May positive healing and comforting energy head your way.
Lesson VI
Once you’ve captured your victims, errr, I mean subjects, I guess they’re screwed into doing pretty much anything you want…..
It’s late again, sorry Tutor i’ll try harder next time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd_RPg7i5Sg
Most of my work has charecters that feature large eyes, the scenes have a lot of shading and very little to almost no color.
Allo Tutor & Classmates!
My names Lauren, and I am selecting a subject with The Tutor
Link: http://perfectcolourchaos.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-VI-171378589
I had a bit of trouble with this one, as i feel i’m young enough to be still finding out who i am, and i seem to have a little bit of alot of things :/ Not to worry though!
I’m all caught up now and am looking forward to next Tuesday
This one gave me some troubles and I’m sorry if it’s incorrect.
http://onelonelyday.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-VI-171607723
Here is me selecting my subject with The Tutor
http://guiltymandie.deviantart.com/#/d2u926e
http://guiltymandie.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2u92c8
My subject was so accommodating I had to take more then one picture
I apologize for my tardiness, Tudor. I was out of town until late last night, and unable to get my assignment in on time.
My voice will be expressed in the actual painting itself. There are several recurring elements in my artwork, such as roses, feathers, and certain colors or lack thereof. What I will be adding to my still life will be the color pink, and an increase in contrast.
As I mentioned in the previous week’s homework, I will probably add things to make the piece more me. I’m rarely consistent with an idea before beginning a painting, and it generally changes several times before the piece is started, as I am listening to my voice telling me what to change, what to add.
Here’s my homework:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iRsWXa2xnI
And I’m sorry, Tutor, but I will be unable to attend the field trip.
Hey Lauren, don’t worry about the being young thing. I’m probably the youngest here but I’ve managed to keep up more or less! Even if I’m not allowed by law to be scandalous in videos. 8P Just kidding…
I will express the “beauty of decay” in my work. ^_^
This is Chi Briar, turning in enrolled-late homework on choosing her subject.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t283/Zumi-sensei/IMG_9349.jpg
Chi chose to simply put a small spider in her original picture. She loves insects. Especially spiders and cockroaches. But did you know that cockroaches can make people with asthma have an attack? This is bad for Chi.
G-Day Tutor!!
Ok. So, this week we had to find our “voice”, something was unique to me. As I only just found my artistic voice in the last 2 months,(it was tucked away in a box, overtaken by my Mummy voice, my Wife voice and my Organizing everyone else voice) I still dont know what my style is yet. I do know that watching a little known Rock Opera/Horror film has inspired me to blow the dust of my art supplies and give the Tutor’s Class a go. So I guess this has given me my voice. The only other thing I could think of, something that I am contantly seen with (appart from my kids, and there was NO WAY they were going to sit still long enough for me to paint them!) is my, well, my glasses! lol! I wear them all the time, they allow me to see a bit more clearly and I guess they give me my voice, by allowing me to see what I’m acutally doing! Lame, I know, but that’s all I’ve got for this week!
Oh, and the reason I chose the Hibiscus Flower is because it grows everywhere in my home town, on the Coast of Queensland, Australia, and I used to wear them in my hair!
Regards,
Cathy
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4811347&l=6a6f796459&id=577562016
Apologies once again for the lateness. Please be gentle!! I am a keen horror fan and feel this comes through my art. Through my music, videos and art I like to add this element. No video this time but here is a picture.
http://ithinkimchris.deviantart.com/#/d2uuykw
To find ones voice, what one will communicate through one’s artwork, that is a challenge yet. Alas, I came to be a better artist, and I will. I have thought over and over and over again what I would like to have as a insiders motif. Finally I found it in my favorite of things.
I love old things, things that have a story to them. Things that were made to last, not be thrown away when no longer the latest and greatest. That is why I added the tray, it tied everything together color wise and presented the opportunity to showcase the antique feeling I would like my work to have.
http://tinker-terror.deviantart.com/art/Still-Life-Piece-172906280
THIS IS SO LATE PLEASE FORGIVE MEEEEE! a myriad of excuses could be used but I HATE EXCUSES so just punish me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN-KgEOOjaM
I know this homework is super later, but I’ll make it up to you–I promise.
So the first picture is my subject. It’s a Venetian mask my mom brought me back from Italy. I have this weird obsession with these masks just like I do with eyes which is why the second link is the same mask but with this holographic card of a crazy eye. I have no idea where the card came from but no matter what I’m working on, even if it’s just doodling in class, it’s always eyes with me.
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/?action=view¤t=032.jpg
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/?action=view¤t=031.jpg
This was harder still but I added my personal voice. I added the rose and the key because they were both gifts from my wife and this is also her teapot. It gave it more meaning and added my personality since I am obsessed with keys.
original http://girllunar.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-Lesson-V-173410432
updated subject
http://girllunar.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-Lesson-VI-173410785
so in this lesson the me is going to be the chair my subject sits in. Iam makin a chair made out of bones, a spine, some ribs, and a few heads. iam sooo excited. this is a very crappy sketch thou…
http://xxmazoxx.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutors-VI-173412637
This is by far the hardest assignment. I’m working very hard to get all caught up, and I know I’ll be finished in time for the next lesson. My name is Ophelia, and I am selecting a subject with The Tutor.
http://jackiephoto.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-Lesson-VI-Interject-173428265
Does doing things to bug The Tutor make me the class clown?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds4C_IU-Eq0
So, here is my “voice”. Typically the art I do is surreal and I have always used it as an outlet for internal issues, so here’s my revised still life.
Oh and I plan on painting the backround. Didn’t feel like doing it twice, so just going to do it when I do the backround.
http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/#/d2vp6bu
http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-VI-174175299
http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutoe-VI-174175591
http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/#/d2vp6xe
http://lisettetutorhomework.blogspot.com/2010/08/lesson-vl-selecting-my-subject.html
Number 6 down! I’m halfway caught up! Think I’m going to start on VII right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx_ItcGWnYY
My name is Megan and I am Selecting a Subject with the Tudor. For my subject im going with the color blue.
http://redhead312.deviantart.com/art/Selecting-a-Subject-178197711
ARGGHHH. Can’t The Tutor leave his own state for once??
That being said, he should come to NY comic con. And be in artist alley. Just sayin’.
As for the whole artistic voice thing, you really expect me to develop that just ’cause you said so?? It’ll come when it comes.
So, for this lesson I turn in no homework, I simply shake my head at the wonderful complexities of the artistic voice.
Better late than never:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBJGf89EGlY
my link from the last assignment, I just thought Id point out the special things I have already put into and taken out of my subjects to reach the three objects I have here.
Originally I was going to do my own work desk as my subject as it is complicated and decorated and there are lots of interesting objects to paint, such as coke bottles, thumbtacks, a little wooden pose-able man, A few tiny pieces of works long past, a rubix cube, a dried carnation and a music box. I decided this is a little too complicated and I could not find a good flattering angle without having to renovate my bedroom…
So I picked my favorite things, the carnation and the little steam punk music box both of which have my own special meaning because they came from my sweet Caden <3 And the skull was both to add some asymmetry without destroying the mood. In my painting it will be more obvious that that is in fact a music box and hopefully all the painstaking little details will pay off…
http://talashowl.deviantart.com/#/d2ygu8c