Investigating movement
Key information
Have you ever tried to draw a person or animal when they were moving? It can be frustrating when you can’t capture the entire pose before they move. But it can also be a great way of getting a feeling of movement and creating loose, energetic, expressive lines. Kellie O’Dempsey works with musicians and dancers. She draws in response to their movements and sounds; and they respond to her drawings creating a flowing collaborative performance.
Drawing provocation
Experiment with drawing moving figures.
Watch the video of The never-ending line performance and draw the dancers as they move. Don’t worry about being accurate, keep drawing as the figures move and let your drawings build up over the top of each other. Experiment with different ways of responding to the movements and sounds in your drawing by speeding up and slowing down, by making bigger and smaller marks, and by making different kinds of marks.
Research and discuss
Kellie O’Dempsey describes her drawing performances as cooperation and exchange. She likes the idea that everyone can share the drawing, draw over the top of each other and exchange their ideas. Discuss how you might approach creating a drawing performance with your friends—what materials would you use, where would you do it, and what sort of music and sounds would you include?
