3 classes in …

I’m not as freaked out as I was before the drawing classes began. In fact, I’m kind of enjoying them.  Time flies by when I’m drawing.  Surprisingly, it takes an amazing amount of concentration.

At the first class our instructor took out a bag of old sneakers, told us to pick one, and put it in front of us on the table.  We were to draw it – fairly quickly – and without instruction.  I thought I did a pretty good job.

By the middle of the class, we were asked to draw the same show again.  After 1.5 hours of instruction this is what I did.

Its seems that, as a student, I need to change how I see things.  The more time I spend looking at an object, the more likely I am to notice aspects of the object that make it unique.  Apparently, an artist notices visual elements that others overlook.

Class number 3 is all about portraits.  I have no desire to draw portraits.  I’m more about trees and streams and sunsets, and maybe an animal or two.  Regardless; we’re drawing portraits.  By the end of class 3 with the help of some loose graphite, the special tiziano paper, an eraser and some stumps, this is what I did.

The exercise wasn’t about proportion, but about shading, and the shading happened so quickly.  You can actually see the face come to life right before your eyes.  Very cool.  Not sure where we’re headed next, but so far it’s quite a ride!

Back to school

Summer has come and gone, and the first day of my “drawing for beginners” class is looming. I've signed up for a class through the City Arts Centre and had to settle for the beginner class when what I really wanted was “drawing for the absolutely terrified”.

My class supply list arrived by email today: lots of pencils and charcoal, sheets of different types of paper (Tiziano or Artagain?  Sounds more like the name for Aztec gods or a traditional Italian appetizer than paper stock) and for some reason a large number of cleaning supplies are required including rags, paper towels, soap and a scrub brush.  “Be prepared to get dirty”, it says.  I’m not.

Am I looking forward to the class?  Sort of.  Looking forward to it in the way that you look forward to your dentist appointment being over.  Perhaps that’s a bit extreme, but I’m just hoping to be able to draw a slightly better stick man, or a house that looks somewhat more advanced than a 5 year old which is the age at which I stalled in my artistic development.  I don’t necessarily feel the need to create masterpieces … just some basic rules on perspective would be fine, thank you.  Certainly not prepared for owning a set of Conte sticks, some vine charcoal and a few blending stumps.  Is there an aftermarket for slightly used blending stumps when this is all over?  Cheese cloth I have – I wonder if it matters that it’s been used and machine washed?  The selection of erasers will no doubt become my favourite tools.  And the last item on the list I actually own and can use quite well.  A ruler.  That gives me hope.

Friendly Colors

In previous springs, as I’ve headed off to the gardening centres to get bedding plants for my (far too numerous) planters, I’ve gone without a plan.  Usually I get there, look around (get overwhelmed) and then do the standard “find a plant you like and then find other plants that pick up some of the colours in the first”. 

Whatever.  That usually hasn’t worked, and I’ve often ended up with planters that look like “what not to wear” in the gardening world.

So this year, as part of my “discover my creativity” theme, I did a bit of research into how to make pleasing planters.  Apparently getting colors to work together is one of the keys (along with height, light and water conditions).  So I went to my office, reached way back into a very full drawer, and pulled out my color wheel.

 

I’ve had a color wheel for years – thought it was kind of a cool  “artsy” thing to have, but although I understand the basic premise, I really haven’t ever used it properly (and by properly I mean “at all”).

Did some Googling, and found out a few basic fundamentals in designing good planters.  There are generally 3 themes …

Harmonious – sounds a bit like going to the symphony. 

Harmonious colours are next to each other on the color wheel.  Sort of like having the flutes positioned next to the violin section, or the trombones next to the trumpets.  Harmonious colors have a soothing effect.  Melodic.

Complementary – opposite each other on the colour wheel.  I imagine complementary colours being fascinated with each other…

“My, Begonia, you really accent that shady planter with that stunning shade of red.”  “Why thank you Miss Gerbera Daisy – your bright yellow is really outstanding.”

Complementary colours add excitement and drama- like going to a cocktail party full of interesting people.

Monochromatic – composed of plants in the same general colour.  Monotonous.  Easy to remember.

So this is what I ended up with.

There is is; my symphony of colours - my  party of plants.  A white wine spritzer?  Don't mind if I do.

Unexpected Inspiration

I’m grateful for creative people – especially when the creative touches appear in unexpected places.  

Like this … you order a cup of coffee and decide to treat yourself by ordering a latte or cappuccino. Your day is plodding along like any other day, and then your coffee arrives.

The proprietor could have simply made a good cup of coffee, and we would have all been pleased with that.  But by going the extra step and expressing his creativity on a hot and foamy canvas, our coffee experience suddenly became memorable and inspiring.

Or, you’re at a friend’s baby shower and you head to the table for a snack.  Waiting for you, right there in the middle of the table, is this …

Who knew that your niece was a cupcake goddess?  Beautiful, aesthetic, creative. 

Sure it took extra effort, and was not an easy accomplishment what with two toddlers demanding attention.  But those lovely little cupcakes made us smile, and gave us something to talk about.  Suddenly, instead of strangers with very little in common, we were all old friends at an art gallery opening,

Inspiration is all around us.  Be creative in little ways.