Overview
A constraint is a restriction, or set of restrictions, that if established voluntarily can help shape and direct the evolution of a piece of artwork.
A constraint must significantly effect outcome to be legitimate. If a right handed person decides that they can not use their left hand while drawing, the constraint registers no effect. If that right handed person decided not to use their right hand while drawing, the outcome would be significantly impacted. As well, the relative degree or severity of the constraint may determine its legitimacy. Limiting oneself to using paint is a convention, not a constraint. Limiting oneself to only using red, white and black paint is a constraint.
Whether you are aware of it or not, you have all worked with constraints. Every assignment I have given has set the constraints that you were required to work within. My constraints may have related to what materials you used, the process you chose, or the scale of the artwork. What has changed for this assignment is that I am not going to be the one setting the constraints. You are.
Action
Develop five constraints that will significantly effect the outcome of your endeavor. You must have at least one constraint relative to each of the following:
material
process
scale
Think of ways that your constraints may relate conceptually to the subject of your work. Taking the earlier example of someone drawing with their non-dominant hand, creating a drawing of a veteran amputee under these conditions would dramatically increase the conceptual weight of the chosen constraint.
You are creating your own assignment. Be inventive in your choices.
Here is an interesting example of constraint in literature:
Eunoia, Chapter I by Christian Bok
