An overall introduction to the history and philosophy of research in art, as it is used in entertainment design | Drawing aids through the years | Good and bad sources of reference | A demo to illustrate these points

Examination of the appropriate drawing “styles” when working from reference: strict observational drawing – keeping accurate proportions, isolating important information vs. interpretive approaches – construction drawing, exaggeration, caricature

Taking both drawing and research a step further! Doing the finished art, use of line quality, rendering form and texture, use of ref in this; ramping up the hunt for good reference: going farther than the first page of Google!

Advantages of working from the “Real Thing” – details that are revealed by closer study, ability to observe from any angle, advantages of controlled conditions ( studio lighting, placing subject in an environment, use a model)

Go on a Field Trip! gathering reference via visit to gallery, museum, locations, reenactment, etc. Learn more and interpret better via direct observation and if possible, participation!

Look closer, study smaller objects, add decoration, texture, graphics, signage, increase the works’ believability

Review of historic art styling. using it as a springboard to design. Using style for simplification, reduction of detail, but making it look “right”!

What have we learned? How do we retain the info? good habits for the studio and the brain – organizing and knowing where to get it again, continuing the hunt in your artistic journey