Open Studio For Teens: Contour Drawing
Oct 10, 2016
Teens at Open Studio, September 2016. Photograph by Zain Al Saie
On Friday, September 30, the Whitney welcomed New York City teens for Open Studio, our free drop-in art-making program. The theme of the first session this fall was contour and continuous line drawing. This theme was related to works on view at the Museum, such as Ellsworth Kelly’s pencil drawings, Briar, 1963 and Alexander calder’s wire sculpture, Varèse, c. 1930.
Teens work on contour sketches and 3D wire drawings, September 2016. Photograph by Christine Escobar
Teens experimented with various techniques—from observational sketches to timed contour drawings. After practicing with still life objects, they teamed up with a partner to create contour drawings, and then used their drawings to make wire portraits.
A teen models her portrait in wire, September 2016. Photograph by Zain Al Saie
Many of the teens expressed their enthusiasm for drawing and their intention to return for the next Open Studio program. Dyeemah Simmons, Assistant to Teen Programs commented: “I was amazed that so many teens came out for the first Open Studio of the semester. I saw both new and familiar faces, which I really appreciated. The teens made some creative, experimental work and were so willing to try new things.”
By Zain Al Saie, Interpretation Intern