Drawing the Essence of Life
A Phenomenological Approach
MASTER STUDIES
There can be no better guides into the animated work of Life-Drawing than the Great Masters of the Human Figure across history.
THE EPIC STUDY OF THE HUMAN FIGURE
THE LIFE-DRAWING PROCESS
Step-By-Step Development
LEARNING FROM THE MASTERS
1. Drawing Anima
Beyond techniques of life drawing, there is the living subject of life drawing: a living soul.
Nothing the greatest artist can conceive
That every marble block doth not confine
Within itself; and only its design
The hand that follows intellect can
achieve.
This is a study of Michelangelo's drawing of the Crucified Haman for the Sistine Chapel, a drawing which I often sketched in my sketchbooks. Read More
2. Structuration in Space-Time
Moving a step further, Life-Drawing involves a structural analysis of the figure in a virtual 3D space. Read More
Choice soul, in whom, as in a glass, we see,
Mirrored in thy pure form and delicate,
What beauties heaven and nature can create,
The paragon of all their works to be!
WHAT LIGHT AND SHADOW ARE
Shadow is the absence of light, merely the obstruction of the luminous rays by an opaque body. Shadow is of the nature of darkness. Light on an object is of the nature of a luminous body; one conceals and the other reveals. They are always associated and inseparable from all objects. But shadow is a more powerful agent than light, for it can impede and entirely deprive bodies of their light, while light can never entirely expel shadow from a body, that is from an opaque body.
— Leonardo da Vinci
ANIMATION REELS
I designed and directed this introductory sequence for the miniseries Once Upon A Sign featuring Ben Bahan, star professor of Gallaudet University. I conceptualized, storyboarded, and directed this sequence, which was finally animated by John Dillon. Art Direction and Backgrounds by Vickie Pellouchoud.
In close collaboration with ASL community, I designed and directed this sequence for the episode The Magic Mirror, which features the animation of an ASL Poem. Read More
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Norland Téllez is an Artist, Scholar and Teacher with over two decades of experience in the animation industry. Grounding himself in classical painting and drawing, he remains committed to the art of the moving image and the archetypal power of Story.
CREATIVE-BEING IN THE WORLD
A collection of his personal and animated works, Norland shows a diversity of functions in both production and pre-production worlds.
Artist and Thinker, Educator in Art and Philosophy, Norland was inspired by the Masters of the Renaissance during his formative years at CalArts (1990-1999).
Creative-Being is a personal publishing company which covers a range of philosophical disciplines, including mythology, philosophy and art.
Focusing on the study of the Popol-Wuh, the Maya epic of creation, Norland shares his doctoral research into this ancient Book of the Counsel in the light of its own mytho-historic form of consciousness.
Do you need to improve your drawing skills?
Bring your skull cap and draw with Norland at Local Museums
