To me, his drawings are not about replicating what he sees, but about a personal interpretation of the subject- communicated through his use of shapes and values.
Here are some of the key elements from this lesson:
Intentionality and Design: Even though the marks might seem rough, there is a clear sense of intention in how they are used to describe form.
Texture: Grebennikov doesn't use flat values; instead, his values also have a texture. I'm fascinated by his ability to create a flickering variety of texture and turn the forms.
Embrace of Messiness: Grebennikov's style incorporates mess and errors into its aesthetic. The "deviations" and "erasures" become part of the texture, rather than being seen as mistakes. This allows for a looser, more improvisational look.
Layered Detail: As I study his work, I see that the drawings reveal more detail the closer you look. This suggests layers and strata of complexity.
Organic and Geometric: His style has having a fascinating relationship between organic and geometric qualities. Even though the drawing appears organic, the mark-making is very square and rigid.
Creative Problem-Solving: Grebennikov solves problems in unexpected ways. When we examine the why behind his choices we get the true benefit of this study.
Risk-Taking and Freedom: It's impossible not to appreciate the sense of risk, passion, and excitement in his drawing style. To me, he seems like someone who is willing to walk out on a pretty shaky limb and trust himself to find his balance. Don't underestimate the value of this attitude.
Not Giving a F*** Attitude: An important part of being an artist is knowing when to care and when not to care. In my opinion, this ability is massively
