Classes
Drawing From the Ground Up
Overview and About the Course:
Drawing is one of the most accessible art forms, as it needs very few materials, and can be done anywhere at anytime. Sketching what we see improves observational skills, strengthens creative problem solving , helps us center ourselves in the present, and is a powerful way to capture a moment in time. Drawing does not require any sort of special talent, but rather is a skill that can be cultivated.
At the same time, art as a whole can be intimidating, and starting from ground zero on a skill such as drawing is a vulnerable and humbling experience. In my classes, I prioritize individual reflection and enforce a positive atmosphere so that students can focus on the challenges of learning to draw, without worrying about judgement or competition. In this class I integrate botanical education, not only to make the class more enriching, but also to help distract from the frequently maddening experience of learning a new skill. We will primarily use plants to practice in this class, but the skills we will cover are transferable to any subject, from animals, to buildings, and even people.
I am pleased that you are, or are considering, taking this class on fundamental drawing. I look forward to seeing you there 🙂
Syllabus: Drawing from the Ground Up Syllabus
Materials: paper, black pens (no pencils!), and one light gray art marker
- Paper should be large enough to hold comfortably with one hand, have a firm back to support drawing, and have plenty of paper – at least 30 sheets.
- YES: A medium-sized notebook, sheets of nice printer paper on a clipboard, a smaller pre-bound pad of paper from an art store.
- NO: loose sheets of paper, notebooks smaller than your hand, anything too large to support with one hand.
- Pens need to be black and flow easily on your paper. Please bring at least two sizes, one small and one large. The small should be nimble for detail work, and wont easily fill in a shape. The large should be bold and dark, and can easily fill in a shape.
- YES: Two or more art pens (staedtler, Pigma, micron, etc), if these are inaccessible, you can use one well-flowing ballpoint pen you enjoy using at home, and one felt-tip pen with a larger nib (like a paper mate flair or extra fine tip sharpie).
- NO: Pencils, red, blue, or brightly colored ink, any pen you have to press hard or scribble frequently to use.
- One alcohol / art marker of a medium gray tone. Large enough tip to easily color a large area quickly
- YES: Any large, light to medium gray marker that does not obscure pen marks when drawn overtop of them. (Many brands, even a new crayola marker will do.)
- NO: Whiteboard markers, sharpies, dry / crusty markers, small detail markers
