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Barbelith Homework

 
  

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JOY NO WRY
10:12 / 17.11.06
It's a rare thing to catch me seeking extra work in any form, so savour this moment with me, my friends.

I've never had any artistic skills whatsoever; crippled stickmen were, until very recently, the height of my creative ability. Recently, however, I've found myself sitting on top of a mountain with little to do by attempt to improve myself somehow. I've finally taught myself how to write legibly, and now I'm moving on to trying to learn to draw. I've read the old drawing thread - I've been sketching from life and copying photographs, and I'm working my way through the ten thousand circles - and now I just need practice.

I've got a 2B, a 2H, a HB, a red pencil and a blue pencil. So, ahh... please give me some homework?
 
 
Papess
11:34 / 17.11.06
yr own joy, I would like to suggest a self-portrait. There is so much to be learned about yourself and your style by doing a self-portrait. If you are not comfortable with doing one, maybe set up some still life together and sketch it. If I understand correctly, you are beginning and still life is great for practicing shading and perspective, and it may be a better place to start, even, than a self-portrait.

Just go into your kitchen, grab a jug or vase, some fruit with various textures and arrange in a pleasing way. It is good to include some cloth, as drawing the folds in cloth is a very good skill and helps train the eye/perception. It is actually very relaxing too, IMHO.

I am not certain what illustration or design project to give to c0ntaminated. Maybe illustrating a scene in a book you recently read, or really like? Maybe someone can suggest a scene.
 
 
Broomvondle
15:00 / 17.11.06
Why don't you connect your newly legible writing with your drawing aspirations and develop a comic yr own joy?

The artwork doesn't need to be perfect - why not write a 5 page comic starting with a person on top of a mountain.
 
 
Papess
17:46 / 17.11.06
What a great way to combine one's talents.
 
 
Broomvondle
19:51 / 17.11.06
Okay c0ntaminated here's an idea for homework...

Illustrate the poem "She Dwelt Among Untrodden Ways" by William Wordsworth.

(The poem is available here)
 
 
Broomvondle
20:13 / 17.11.06
Could someone set me some homework please?

I'd like something that takes me out of my creative 'comfort zone', I normally draw cartoons and comics in pen and ink with digital colouring.

I'd be happy to work in 2D or 3D, on any subject and using any materials.
 
 
Princess
20:38 / 17.11.06
I would suggest you create yourself a note-book using coptic-binding. I love book arts. You will be awarded extra-points if you take the time to stain your paper interesting colours and use collage\mixed media to decorate the covers.

That OK Broomvondle?
 
 
electric monk
20:39 / 17.11.06
Grab a bunch of old magazines, newspapers, catalogs, etc., and make a collage. Printed pics from the 'net are allowed.
 
 
electric monk
20:40 / 17.11.06
Oh, dude, go with Princess's suggestion!
 
 
Princess
20:43 / 17.11.06
Combine the two. Hurrah! Cross-post convergence magic!
 
 
Broomvondle
21:13 / 17.11.06
Thanks Princess and Melvin, both seem to be good projects to pursue, so as you suggest I'll combine them.

I've seen quite a few articles on doing your own book binding and always thought it looked fascinating.

I'm quite excited about this, I'll get my materials together tomorrow and scan you the results when I'm done.
 
 
c0nstant
15:42 / 22.11.06
@broomvondle

cheers for that, I really like that poem, this should be an interesting project
 
 
Feverfew
18:13 / 04.12.06
Ok.

I admit it.

I'm having villanelle issues.

(But give me time.)
 
 
Olulabelle
18:24 / 04.12.06
What is a villanelle issue?
 
 
Feverfew
18:32 / 04.12.06
Oh, I'm just having problems with the poetic form... I haven't written poetry in a long time so previously barely used circuits are being fired up and are proving recalcitrant. The form, from the wiki, is:

Refrain 1 (a)
Line 2 (b)
Refrain 2 (a)

Line 4 (a)
Line 5 (b)
Refrain 1 (a)

Line 7 (a)
Line 8 (b)
Refrain 2 (a)

Line 10 (a)
Line 11 (b)
Refrain 1 (a)

Line 13 (a)
Line 14 (b)
Refrain 2 (a)

Line 16 (a)
Line 17 (b)
Refrain 1 (a)
Refrain 2 (a)


Which should produce a staggering work of verbal beauty.
At the moment it's just giving me a headache.
 
 
Princess
16:05 / 13.12.06
Guess what kids? Nagging you is almost the same as doing my own projects. So, how's everyone doing?
 
 
Papess
17:02 / 13.12.06
I am overwhelmed with my project. Actually, I kinda wish you could model for me, Princess.
 
 
Princess
17:08 / 13.12.06
That would rock! I love modeling!

It's like someone actually *demanding* that I become centre of attention!
 
 
Papess
19:00 / 13.12.06
Damn, it would rock. I am not sure how it would happen, however. Actually....

*brainstorms*

I will PM you later. I am going to be a little busy for the next while, making paper airplanes with the boy.

weeeee!

P.S: I was having poster's remorse before I saw your reply, Princess. I was a little worried that I may have come off in a creepy way - which, I certainly didn't mean to be.
 
 
Broomvondle
18:23 / 14.12.06
Okay Princess here's what I've done so far...

IMG_0138

hp_scanDS_612141952427

hp_scanDS_612141954653

I found a dodgy tutorial on Coptic binding online and made the book - it took two attempts to get the stitching right but once I got the hang of it I found it really relaxing. I'm sure that next time with better materials I'll produce something quite professional looking.

I've been going through newspapers and magazines looking for evocative images and words, so that I can construct narrative one page at a time. I haven't been that adventurous with my media yet but I intend to - I've got some nice chalk pastels to play with.
 
 
Alex's Grandma
19:02 / 15.12.06
Feverfew - that's a very dry, analytical way of describing a villanelle - the best way to "get" the form is to read the best and most famous example. They're absolute buggers to get right but when it works, it really works:

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas
 
 
electric monk
01:46 / 16.12.06
Broom, those pages are making me grin from ear to ear. Well fuggin' done!
 
 
StarWhisper
19:16 / 16.12.06

Mines been on the backburner while I sort out college stuff. Been lovely to make though- should get it all coloured in over christmas.
 
 
aluhks SMASH!
22:00 / 16.12.06
I could use a homework assignment for photography. my new job and new home town have left me too distracted to come up with any new ideas of my own.

one note: assignments directly related to where I work/who I work with are right out. It's a confidentiality thing.

Thanks so much in advance.
 
 
Broomvondle
09:21 / 17.12.06
Melvin - Thanks for the encouragement, I've got a fair bit of free time over christmas so hopefully I should make a lot of progress on the book.

aluhks - Try taking a series of photographs of an old abandoned urban building, the more macabre it's history the better. For inspiration take a look at http://www.opacity.us/.

P.S. If you actually go inside any abandoned buildings please, please, please take sensible precautions.
 
 
Leigh Monster loses its cool
00:18 / 27.12.06
can there be musical homeworks on this thread? for aspiring but uninspired musicians?
 
 
Olulabelle
15:56 / 01.01.07
Of course there may. What instrument do you play? Is it that you should be practicing or that you would like to be writing your own music or what?
 
 
Alex's Grandma
18:53 / 02.01.07
Write a love song in a country stylee about a gun. Make it saucy.
 
 
Leigh Monster loses its cool
19:03 / 08.01.07
I play cello and try to sing...but yeah, it's the writing songs thing...

hee hee. here's my country song, but it's a VERY different feel with just the lyrics and no tune. I don't know how to show ya'll the tune, but I think the twangy countryness that I hear in my head makes it more morbid humor and less just plain morbid.

Me and My Forty Four

4am and I feel you beside me
Keeping me safe, keeping me sound
Hard as the old man when he used to ride me
But I never worry now since you came around

Smooth as a pickup in a dim smoky bar
handle and shaft both at my command
And I know my darling you'll never stray far
Cause I hold your trigger here in my left hand

chorus:
it's me and my forty four in a motel 6 tonight
passing the time til the break of the day
caressing each other in the sallow moonlight
Not even Daddy knows the games that we play

Some say to trust you is inviting danger
Some say that mischief is your other name
But me and old mischief, baby we ain't no strangers
And i've come alive since you've been in my game

it's me and my forty four in a motel 6 tonight
passing the time til the break of the day
caressing each other in the sallow moonlight
Not even Daddy knows the games that we play

Trembling for pleasure and sighing with dread
Metal on skin and my fingers to guide
The sheets are still white on this old hotel bed
So fill me and thrill me and welcome inside

I love you my darlin, and I do give thanks
Cuz Mommy never has to worry 'bout Daddy shooting blanks

it's me and my forty four in a motel 6 tonight
passing the time til the break of the day
caressing each other in the sallow moonlight
Not even Daddy knows the games that we play

it's me and my forty four in a motel 6 tonight
passing the time til the break of the day
caressing each other in the sallow moonlight
And Daddy'll never know the games that we play
 
 
Whisky Priestess
22:14 / 08.01.07
Oooh, that's fab! I want to hear the tune now! (And then I want to sing it whilst suggestively caressing a firearm). Can you MP3 it and email it to me? I'm serious, PM me - I'd love to hear that dang song ...
 
 
Whisky Priestess
15:53 / 10.01.07
Another one for the artists:

Can I have a cool poster/flyer image to advertise a short story reading night called Liars' League? It can have a slightly LXG/Victoriana look, although the stories being read will vary from urban to historical to sci-fi to literary fiction to everything, really, so if there's some way of reflecting that in the image that would be great.

I'd also like to have a lectern in there somewhere, for that scholarly thrill. But the whole thing should make the night look cool, like a clever sexy club you'd want to be a member of, and fun and intriguing as well.
 
 
Leigh Monster loses its cool
03:23 / 12.01.07
not to be greedy but that was so exciting and can i have another?

(whisky princess, i'm still playing with garage band. i've got the vocals but i'm having problems with the synth guitar.)
 
 
Whisky Priestess
13:03 / 12.01.07
whisky princess

Aw! Just for that, could you do us a heartfelt blues number about being a tax collector/accountant or some other equally boring, non-blues related job?

"Woke up this morning,
Couldn't find my P46"

sort of thing?
 
 
Feverfew
13:52 / 14.01.07
Ok... I'm going to have to admit that my brain seems to have had a total spanner thrown into the gears by the Villanelle, and now won't work.

So. I become the first to approach the (metaphorical) teacher and admit that he hasn't done his homework, and I don't even have a dog to have eaten it.

In it's place, would it be possible to be set two things;
a) a tiny art project and
b) a tiny story project

possibly but not having to be linked?

Thank you!
 
 
Tsuga
19:43 / 14.01.07
It's okay, I say to you,
the villanelle now seems too much
You're also free to just not do.

Doing is a freedom too,
It's all relative and such,
It's okay, I say to you.

Your lazy dream has now come true
To keep your couch within your touch
You're also free to just not do

The day's end comes and now you rue
the brain has made another crutch
It's okay, I say to you.

It's in your hands now Feverfew
with seconds slipping from your clutch
You're also free to just not do.

My crappy Villanelle is through,
My rhyming skills are just not much.
It's okay, I say to you.
You're also free to just not do.



Hey, that is hard. It would take a long time and some talent to write one worth a shit- two things I am surely lacking.
 
  

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