2025-09-22 DDM Session #2 Exercise #2

Quick recap

The meeting focused on addressing concerns about the overwhelming Monday schedule and exploring alternative class times to improve student well-being. Brian demonstrated various Photoshop techniques for enhancing and editing sketches, including tools for cleaning up drawings, working with layers, and adding color. The session concluded with a discussion of schedule adjustments and the importance of completing exercises promptly, with Brian encouraging student feedback on proposed changes.

Next steps

Khalliyah: Send a poll to classmates about Saturday class availability from 5-9 PM and email the results to Brian within the week

Brian: Check if Saturday classes from 5-9 PM are feasible based on the poll results

Students: Try completing the Photoshop exercise by the next day

Students: Submit the current Photoshop exercise to Brian by tomorrow before he starts marking

Khalliyah: Attend desk crit tomorrow

Khalliyah: Prepare for the major studio delivery due next Tuesday

Summary

Rescheduling Monday Classes for Students

Khalliyah raised concerns about the overwhelming schedule on Mondays, where students have five back-to-back classes without adequate breaks, leading to exhaustion and difficulties in managing time for meals and travel. Brian acknowledged the issue and explored alternative options, including moving the classes to Thursday or Saturday, noting that previous sessions were held on Saturdays at 6 PM when Fridays were unavailable due to studio commitments. While Thursday was deemed challenging due to existing commitments, Brian suggested a potential Saturday session from 5 PM to 9 PM to accommodate the required 4-hour class time, which Khalliyah agreed to discuss with her classmates. Brian also noted the need to balance course schedules and adapt to online learning while considering the feedback from students.

Studio Work Efficiency Planning

The meeting focused on discussing the efficiency of studio work and class activities. Brian and Khalliyah discussed the possibility of completing work during class sessions, with Khalliyah mentioning she had sent a poll to the class group and would email the results to Brian within the week. Brian noted that major studio deliveries were scheduled for next week Tuesday, and he aimed to set up activities that could be completed in class to avoid additional work outside of tutorials. The group also discussed upcoming Photoshop exercises and the importance of adapting schedules to accommodate studio crits and other commitments.

Photoshop for Enhanced Drawings

Brian demonstrated how to use Photoshop to enhance hand drawings for presentations and portfolios. He explained that students are allowed to use computers to improve the quality of their sketches. Brian showed an example of a student's rough sketch and guided participants through the process of cleaning up and enhancing the drawing in Photoshop. He emphasized the importance of creating a clean workspace layout and encouraged participants to experiment with Photoshop's features.

Photoshop Image Layer Management

Brian demonstrated how to work with scanned images in Photoshop, focusing on layer management and manipulation. He showed how to convert a smart object to a raster layer for greater flexibility, explained the difference between background and regular layers, and demonstrated techniques for cutting out and resizing scanned sketches. Brian emphasized best practices for working with images, including naming layers and properly scaling images without distortion.

Photoshop Sketch Enhancement Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to use guides and filters in Photoshop to align and enhance a sketch. He showed how to create guides to straighten the sketch, and then used the Sketch filter with a photocopy effect to improve the line work. The process involved adjusting the filter settings to balance bright lines with minimal background interference. Brian explained that this technique is useful for cleaning up sketches made on the back of paper, where the reverse image can appear as a background.

Adobe Illustrator Drawing Editing Demo

Brian Williams demonstrated how to use various tools in Adobe Illustrator to edit and clean up a drawing, including the eraser tool, polygon tool, and lasso tool. He explained how to adjust brush size and hardness, and showed techniques for removing unwanted background elements while preserving important lines. The demonstration included instructions for using keyboard shortcuts and layer management to efficiently edit the drawing.

Photoshop Sketch Enhancement Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to enhance a sketch in Photoshop by using the line tool to add definition to the drawing while maintaining its organic feel. He explained the concept of pixels and line weight, showing how to adjust the line thickness to give elements like floorboards and the ground plane more definition. Brian emphasized the importance of keeping the drawing untidy and avoiding overly perfect, digital-looking lines. He also covered how to save the enhanced sketch as a new file.

Photoshop Sketch Background Removal

Brian demonstrated how to remove a white background from a sketch in Photoshop using the Magic Wand tool and Color Range feature, emphasizing the importance of cleaning up the image first before using these tools. He explained that saving the file as a PNG format preserves the transparency, allowing the sketch to be used in presentations without a background. Brian also mentioned that they would explore another approach to coloring inside the sketch spaces in the next step.

Photoshop Sketch Enhancement Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to enhance and colorize a sketch in Photoshop using layers, tools, and techniques such as gradients and entourage. He explained the process of creating new layers, selecting areas with the polygonal lasso tool, and filling them with colors from the swatches panel. Brian also showed how to use the eyedropper tool to match existing colors and apply gradients for depth. Finally, he suggested using Google to find transparent PNG images for adding entourage to the sketch.

Class Schedule Adjustments for Stress Relief

Brian discussed changes to the class schedule to alleviate stress, particularly on Mondays. He proposed extending class exercises and activities to Wednesday after studio work, or potentially moving them to Saturday evenings. Brian emphasized the importance of completing work promptly to avoid procrastination, which he referred to as the "procrastination ninja." He encouraged students to provide feedback on the schedule changes and reminded them to complete current exercises by Wednesday.

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