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!

As I approach my last class in August...

The item that comes to mind is how much my work is coming along. There are definately things that still need to be worked but I have to say I can definately see the improvement in my drawing as my last class in August approaches which is equivalent to a second month of classes since i decided to take two classes per week.

Last week I decided that I wanted to go to the back of the class where the more experienced drawers were and take a stab at a long pose where you have the entire class time to draw the model in the same pose. The beautiful item about this art class is as much as you go at your own pace you can also decide where you want to sit in the class. I said to self .."its time for graduation". I love the long poses ...one it allows me to see what i really need to work on proportion, some of my figure drawing can be flat and it lacks the actual realism of drawing faces. I always feel like faces seem demonized (my art teacher would call it strong or bold but it feels hard and rough and I wouldn't want to wake up to that person). (2) I save paper. Yay! Surprisingly my sketch pad has lasted me the entire two months..I have about 4 sheets left for tomorrow.

Below is tonight's class  drawing (Aug 13) in chorcoal and ink

I can tell that my technique is definitely improving and I love the combo of ink and charcoal.  Surprisingly this drawing is without my glasses (I forgot them in my hubby's bag) and I think its definately one of my better detailed drawings from class  (I dont know if thats good or bad..lol especially since the model was not close to me). Of course today I picked an easel for once (yay)..they are usual gone by the time i get to class but not today (it makes all the difference in my drawing.I'm going to have to arrive early from here on out).
.My teacher wants me to use ink and pastels for next class so that's why there is some blue in my drawing. she wanted me to practice but then class ended.

I once again want to thank the Lord for always reminding me he knows the desires of my heart and will always align and place me where I need to be.

Creative Every Day Projects 2012 (June & July)

I love this website (Thanks Carey for sending this my way). I told myself from June 2012 going forward I would commit myself to a theme for each month:

For the month of June 2012, the theme was Opposites.
I chose to depict faith and fear or shall i say those opposites picked me. This is a topic that God constantly talks to me about. What are you going to walk in ..faith or fear. I love how this was the item that came up in my spirit.

For the month of July 2012, the theme is Round.

This smoke was made from round shapes is how I'm feeling this month... overwhelmed, suffocated, and tired (not everyday of all means..but definately at least twice a week... trying to fit everything into my schedule has been difficult and that's why by month end i pick 3 most important tasks to do).

Selected Ink Art work from the 1st month of class

As I mentioned I'm taking my first Anatomy and Drawing class in July (every Tuesday). Below is a snapshot of my best work from the ink medium that my teacher introduced me too. Working with ink reminded me of when i first worked with soft pastels...it was all over me. I loved it! My teacher had me working with different objects in creating the work...amazing.

I loved this medium so much that pretty much until the last class (post where my teacher hug me)...I've used ink. My teacher wanted me to get used to the way i could use ink (movement), then she wanted me to work with washes (diluted dark and light ink to create shadows). I'm not a fan of the washes yet because i don't know how to manipulate it..once i get better I'm sure I will like it. One thing i love about using ink is how bold it makes my art work (at least i felt that way in the beginning before I started used the washes).

#1 Supporter

I feel so blessed to have my husband in my life (period) but especially as my #1 supporter in my art. Even when I willing laid it down, had good days and bad days..he's always there to encourage, listen, and give me a quick swift in the arse when I need it. It's amazing feeling to have a husband who sees things in you before you see them..I think God for him everyday! I think one of the lessons he's taught me about art is (1) Trust myself and (2) Just do it.

My art teacher hugged me

Today was one of those days in class where I didn't feel like i was on my A game. Ha! I never feel that way but I typically do like my work more than i dislike it.

Today's class was disappointment after disappointment as we went through our 1 min, 5 min, and 10 min sketch. I was irritated because i decided to sit in a different area for class to see what area i like the best and this one was so uncomfortable and the room was packed so I was stuck there. Also, i decided to focus on the actual facial features of my model since that is my weak area instead of movement (in the beginning of the class my teacher wanted me to sketch in terms of movement and then go back and rework and today's class i decided as much as movement helps I also want to get into the mechanics of drawing features too). As I worked with a couple charcoal mediums: charcoal pencil and thick charcoal and switching back and forth. I became even more frustrated and wanted my teacher to come by and give her encouraging constructive criticism. She briefly came by and said a few things  on my absolute worst sketch (first 1 min sketch). I wondered, "Where is she...ugh....?"

After being frustrated majority of the class. I said i am turning off my brain, chucking the thick charcoal and working with my most freeing medium next to soft pastels which is vine charcoal ..its so soft and you can easily work with (thanks to my art therapist for having me work with this because i would have never tried it. i even introduced someone to it last week:) Anyway, as soon as i change mediums my drawings became better ...you can distinctively tell the difference.  I think someone just produced some freeing art...yes I did.

Well like an answered prayer on our last pose of the night (most people had left)which is a 20 min sketch she came by and said next time i want you to sit here as she pointed to a particular space. She explained she doesn't get to the side of the room where i was sitting because she doesn't like to get in the way. Then she sat down and looked at my drawing and said , "the face is perfect now i want you to work on the rest of the body and focus on the center." She went to talk to another student and came back and said , "I love how it came together..if only you had more time." I am so proud of you. The improvement you've done since this class started is amazing" and she gave me a hug. I could have cried.

After such a crappy drawing session look what came in the end.  I learned two things: 1. sometimes you need to turn your brain off and explore. Just focus on being in tune to your work  and 2. sometimes you have to work through crappy work to get through the good work.

Art Journey

As I begin my artistic journey I wanted a visual record of how my art progresses through time. I'm currently participating in drawing anatomy classes which is taking me to the basics that I never learned as a budding artist. I am also exploring the expressive arts program so time will tell the work that comes from both of  these avenues. It will be amazing to see what excudes when I step outside the realms of what i know and explore. I have no choice but to explore because I can no longer stay in the place I am now.