How To Get The Most Out of Drawing or Any Other Art Class

If you're like me, I like to get my moneys worth!  First, I try to have all of my supplies or find out what is needed to get started. Having what I need helps my confidence.  I like to feel that I have the supplies for whatever the teacher may have us do. I like to be able to focus and access the creative part of my mind and apply it.  So Be Prepared!

When taking a class, come with An Open Mind!  Yes, something may be out of your comfort zone or gee I wasn't expecting this......  I recommend to Just Go For It!  Ask questions, observe others and just try it!  Take notes and keep handouts!  I like to take all I can from a class.  You may decide later that you'll use just part of what you learn or it may apply to your art later.  You don't want to be too judgmental and take little or nothing from the class. I can honestly say that I have found that I always have taken home little nuggets of valuable information from all classes I've taken over the years.

Listen/take notes/record during teacher lectures and demos.  Also listen to discussions between individuals and the instructor.  I always have my notebook nearby to jot something down.  My memory is poor and writing something down will allow me to continue what I'm currently doing.  If I need a clearer explanation I can ask later.

Take Notes on the critique the instructor may do on your work.  Think of it as suggestions.  Later you can go over the list, make adjustments in your art and see if the changes made a difference. I also listen to the critiques the teacher may do of other students.  I may hear something I forgot or something new......write it down!  You want to be a sponge!

When you're at home make time to go over notes and practice!  If you do this within 48 hours of the class, you're more likely to remember.  Practicing at home or while you're waiting when you're out and about and it will also help you improve and progress faster.  If you come across something you don't quite get, write it down and ask in your next class.

Adult student applying what he's learned

Keep going!  Give your art a chance.  Most times continued growth is just a step/critique a way.  You also don't want to forget to give yourself credit for how far you've come.

A student, age 12, learning watercolor techniques

Involvement in the Arts Positively Effects the Academics

In a 2010-2011 cohort study of 197,932 12th grade seniors,

data showed evidence of a strong relationship

between individuals who participated in school arts experiences

and higher academic success as demonstrated by

grade point averages, scores on the Florida Comprehensive

Assessment Test (FCAT) and math and verbal portions

of the SAT exam. The results showed the positive effect

of participation in fine arts classes on a broad base of

individuals, including students from varying races, ethnicities,

socioeconomic levels, and students with disabilities. https://cfaefl.org/dnn/Portals/cfae/advocacy/Advocacy%20Document%20No.%201.1.Jan2013.pdf

This teen started using their own photos!

I've observed many of my students grow and bloom in the last years. Many (children and adults) have grown in confidence where in the beginning these individuals were quietly observing and later were speaking out during discussions and were more at ease sharing their work. I've seen students 'stick-with-it' when they knew they could do a particular art project. New students were met with "I did that too and you get better" or "You should see what mine looked like at first" (and they share their art).

Students also get better at self-critiquing.  After listening to others or transferring what they've learned from instruction, more and more students gain confidence and therefore are able to see what they can improve on. This is so much a part of problem solving.  Students learn to look at objects/drawings differently seeing there is more than one way to get a image down on paper.  My hope would be for people to learn enough so that they can go home and continue their art independently.  I can also see how what students learn here in class can carry over to their academic and personal lives.

Here is an adult's first ever framed piece!

"I Can't Draw!"

"I can only draw stick figures."  I can tell you that I have heard this many times!  I so strongly disagree! It has been observed that many people slow and/or stop their art development once they begin noticing their peers progress. This can occur around 4th grade.  Children start looking at other's progress and become very judgmental of their own. This can change with instruction about visual tools that can help you see and look differently at what you want to draw.

With guidance and practice, you can use the tools like negative space and contour lines to help you see and record on paper the object or scene before you. Taking the visual tools one at a time and practicing what you learn your halfway there!  In the end you can apply what you've learned all together and you'll be amazed at the outcome. 

This adult student is applying what she has learned to drawing a ceramic cream carton, an egg and a ribbon.

This child (aged 10) applied her skills to this snake in the grass drawing.


Learning different ways to look at something can take away the uncertainty and provide you with more confidence which transfers to your work. 

Drawing is the Foundation in Your Art!

"Regardless of which medium your prefer or what your project may be, drawing is essential to give your art a solid foundation." 

Your artwork is built upon your drawing.  Now with this said, I do understand that many accomplished artists paint without a detailed drawing and come up with an accomplished painting. However, I am sure that they had some training previous to this step in their career.  Without an understanding of perspective, composition, different applied lines, light effects, negative shapes and more, your work will most likely stay at the same level.

I can't tell you how many art show jurors have said that the weakness in a painting can often be the inaccuracies of the initial drawing.  I even had a very well accomplished artist admit that they missed the "Best of Show" Award by having an inaccurate perspective area in her painting (This told to her from the show juror). This was for a realism show.

If you have a well thought out drawing which is technically accurate, you are more likely to have a better, more pleasing outcome.


Before Drawing-Adult (above)
After Drawing-Same Adult (below)
 

Before Drawing-age 8 (above)
After Drawing- age 8 same child(below)

2014 Fall Art Classes Coming Soon!!

Join us for Drawing! Classes will start September 4th!

Thursday

     10-noon  Kids Drawing (ages 8-13)

 Join us for some drawing fun! This class promotes solid drawing skills through age-adjusted exercises. Learn right brain training, light and shadow, perspective, composition, and more!

Students will work toward choosing their own subjects. Exercises will be given to practice at home to build eye training. (maximum students: 10)

 

      1pm-3pm  Adult/Teen Drawing (ages 13-adult)

 

You've always wanted to draw, but you weren't sure where to begin! Join us in a relaxed, risk-free environment. Right brain exercises will be integrated with classical, old-master training techniques  to instill a complete foundation of skills. You'll be surprised at your results! (maximum students: 10)

 

     3:30pm-5:30pm  Kids Drawing (ages 8-13)

 

 Join us for some drawing fun! This class promotes solid drawing skills through age-adjusted exercises. Learn right brain training, light and shadow, perspective, composition, and more!

Students will work toward choosing their own subjects. Exercises will be given to practice at home to build eye training. (maximum students: 10)

 

     6:30pm-8:30pm  Adult/Teen Drawing (ages 8-13)

 

You've always wanted to draw, but you weren't sure where to begin! Join us in a relaxed, risk-free environment. Right brain exercises will be integrated with classical, old-master training techniques  to instill a complete foundation of skills. You'll be surprised at your results! (maximum students: 10)

 

**TUITION:  We meet once a week for 2 hours.  We meet four times a month for $80.00.

 

Classes are kept small for individual instruction.

 

**SUPPLIES:  Click on supply lists on the right.  Bring supplies to the first class.

 

**ART CLASSROOM:  We meet at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 6322 S. Lakeview St., Littleton, CO  80120

 

**REGISTRATION FORM:  Fill out a registration form, click on registration form on the right, and send in your tuition and you'll reserve your spot! (This form cannot be filled out and sent online.)

Please send registration and tuition to:  Julie Fisher

                                                               4662 Biscay St.

                                                               Denver, CO  80249

 

CONTACT Julie Fisher if you have any questions at:  www.jfisherstudio@netscape.net  or call

303-371-7652.