As we learn to put on paper what we really see instead of our symbols, it is shocking to learn how much is really there and how it is really shaped or sized. Drawing upside down is one tool; tracing the basic elements and only looking at the tracing instead of the photo is another […]
What we think we see
When we are beginning to make art, we depend on symbols more than visual information. The symbols come from our memory, from what we know. The visual information comes from what is in front of our eyes, regardless of what we know. You may know that a table has a round top, but what your […]
Three ways of interpreting
This will be a four parter, and thank you to Bill T. a workshop participant for the idea! There are 3 ways of seeing when one is making 2 dimensional art. “Interpreting” might be a more accurate term here. 1. What we think we see – When we are children, or when we are untrained […]
Workshop in Porterville
What a strikingly beautiful weekend! This type of day is why February is my favorite month. This is the depot where the workshop was held: This is the mirror so I could show the massive crowds my work and they could watch me produce it. Nice idea, but there were about 9 folks who braved […]
Three Kinds of Artists
Seventh in the series “Thoughtful Thursdays” A simple way of categorizing artists is to divide the approaches to art into 3 varieties: those who make art for fun, those who make art as a secondary occupation, and those who earn a living from their art. Those who make art for fun undoubtedly have it the […]
Demonstration and Workshop
On February 25 and 26, I will be giving a demonstration and workshop in Porterville for their very active art association. There is still space if you’d like to register. The cost is $30 for members of the P’ville Art Assn. and $35 for non-members. I may have mentioned a time or two that I […]
Words Mean Things
Sixth in the series “Thoughtful Thursdays” When teaching people how to draw, sometimes it is difficult to articulate my thoughts. A picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes a thousand words still can’t explain the picture. Often, I can’t find the right word, so I will make one up. The funny part is that […]
Drawing or Art?
Fifth in the series “Thoughtful Thursdays” In college, an art professor said to me, “Just because you can draw doesn’t make you an artist”. I was devastated, insulted, dismayed, shocked, and any other adjective you can think of for the situation – how dare he say that to me!! Now that I have the advantage […]
Professor 6B
Diane commented on my post “The Rules” about Professor 6B and it was funny. Made me realize I had lapsed into a bit of jargon, so here is some clarity for you all. And here is a weird thing – not a single art teacher taught me any of these basics. I learned about them […]
The Rules
This is the 4th in the series entitled “Thoughtful Thursdays”. These are reprints of articles written by me for the local newspaper called The Kaweah Commonwealth with a few modifications for a wider audience. This was drawn using the entire range of pencils available. There have been many art teachers in my life. Each one […]