Last Art class in August Rocked!

The reason why my last class was awesome was today.... I felt like a sculptor...as they chisel away at their work...their art work comes alive. Today the game plan changed...my teacher said she wanted me to do a tonal drawingwhere she wanted me to cover my white sheet of paper with black charcoal and use the eraser as a tool to pull out the shape of my model.

OMG! i could have cried ...for once i could really see the form of my subject (instead of looking flat) and it really was a good depiction of the subject. Several people even complemented me on it. It was like i turned off my brain and eyes and just felt the movement and shapes in his face and molded and pulled out the shadows using  my kneaded eraser accordingly. What a great moment! My teacher gave me a kiss on the cheek and told me how good it was and that she wanted me to go to the basement to put fixative on it so it wouldn't smear (I've never been told to apply fixative). Kudos!

For the instruments that have served me wisely.....my vine charcoal and my gray kneaded eraser (well once gray...it did alot of work)

Not a perfect drawing but a vast improvement from my 1st detailed drawing which looked a little demonized (I'll post that later). I'm quite proud (if you cant tell:) Yes, I have had drawings that look like my subjects before (my self portrait or the one of my brother), but I call those being in the zone and being amazed what came out (not really being mindful of what i was putting down on paper). TODAY ..this was me really looking and forming the shape of my work. I've never done that before. I can only imagine the heights may work can do here on out. I love my teacher and the way we've explored in the little time I've been her student.

Today's class reminded me of two things: (1) sometimes we don't realize what tools in our arsenal can really do (they may seem like ordinary objects that has a purpose yes but with specific instructions and plans you may surprise yourself how your tools can amaze you). Ive had this kneaded eraser in my tool box for close than a year. I don't like erasing at this point so i didn't see a point. Enter my teacher who says she uses it as a tool to pull out shadows (I love it) (2) The way God created us and molded us....what seems like ordinary dust or object can be turned into an intricate item for his good! God rocks!