In Online Beginning Drawing class today we practiced with proportion. We used the edge of the page or an imagined grid to find reference points that help get the size and relative placement of images. Students improved immensely in only one hour! Below are the images we worked with, and the one above is for more practice. We’d love you to join us next time!
Flipped
Today in our online drawing class we took inspiration from Betty Edward’s “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” book and drew with our reference material upside down. It helps some people see more objectively. Apologies to those who are disoriented by the flipped pics. Click below for more information on our delightful gathering of creativity and fun.
All images taken from the site Unsplash, except for the topmost one, which I took at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Gone To The Dogs
Join our fun-filled, shame-free online drawing classes now. This Tuesday we drew dogs, and here are the reference photos if students want to finish their work.
In Shape
Here are the images used in Monday’s Drop-In Drawing Class. We drew simple objects, focusing on only drawing the shapes of shadows and leaving the outline alone. Join us for an hour of uplifting learning, Mondays and Tuesdays.
Long Time No See
Monday’s Drop In Drawing class focused on seeng. Without practice, students begin with the habit of looking more at the paper on which they are drawing rather than at the image they want to depict. In order to improve drawing skills, a student needs training to break this habit. The exercises we did in class helped, and these are the images we worked from. Wanna join us?
Tree Hugger
Tuesday’s Drop-In Drawing Class featured a lesson in drawing trees. The reference photos are here, for students to finish their already brilliant sketches. Join our class of friends. Always something new to learn, and no experience necessary. Mondays and Tuesdays.
I'll Give You a Hand
Yesterday’s Drop-In Drawing Class focused on hands. The images here were our reference photos for drawing, so students can complete the ones they started in class. We learned some tips and tricks in class for drawing hands that don't look like a tree trunk with wobbly branches. Come join us Mondays and Tuesdays.
Into the Dark
Today’s Online Drawing Class involved some spooky subject matter so we could learn about chiaroscuro, an art term used for heavy use of darks, to put it simply. Here are the images we worked from. Join us when you can. All the info is at the touch of the button below.
Holding Pattern
Monday’s Drop-In Drawing Class was dedicated to texture and pattern. Look at the opportunities for practice on this big bird! Featured below are other images we used as reference material. Students can finish their drawings if desired.
Just a reminder that Drop-In Drawing is one hour for $12 on Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon. Anyone can join in, but humans under 12 might want to determine if it’s a good fit. We draw people, places, and things using basic drawing skills. No experience necessary.
From two separate sketches, but it looks like he’s wooing her.
It Figures
In yesterdays Drop-In Drawing we were treated to a video by Chris Warner of Otis College to go over the basic structures of figure drawing with a bit more focus on anatomy. We used model images from the terrific site, Croquis Cafe. If you’d like to join us, Monday at 6pm Central or Tuesday at 3pm Central, it’s only $12 for one hour of drawing fun and learning.
Adding a little skin
This stabbing was an accident. Just two separate figure drawings who happened to end up in a tangle.
Get in Shape
Today was our first evening Drop-In Drawing class. Happening Mondays at 6:00 pm Central, we have another option for drawing together. In this lesson we went over some basic skills while drawing simple objects. I’ve included the images here for students who want to continue with their drawings.
Saving Face
Below are some of the reference photos we worked with in Tuesday’s Drop-In Drawing class. (Obtained from Unsplash, a free photo site.) Read all about our super online gatherings here.
Make a Straight Face
Today’s Drop-In Drawing will focus on faces, a straightforward mug shot in particular. The above drawing shows proportions by using eye-lengths to measure the distance from one feature to another. It helps.
For those who want to finish up last week’s project, the reference image is below.
Next week we’ll start another class just like the current one, starting from the beginning lessons. With a better time slot for many, it’ll happen at 6:00 pm Central on Mondays. Staring October 5. Teenagers and working people will now have their chance to play with us. We’ll make a splashier announcement soon.
Chiaroscuro
Today in Drop-In Drawing class we practicing rendering images using simply, quickly-drawn shapes, emphasizing the darks. Here are the images we worked from, including one ten-minute drawing by me, depicting the apples above. This task is excellent practice for developing your eye quickly.
Get Naked
In this week’s Online Drawing Class we practiced drawing the figure from images and videos on a terrific free site called Croquis Cafe. (Don’t click if you’re under 18.) We practiced one to ten minute sketches, one of the best ways to improve drawing skills. This resource pays attention to all the details of offering a great life-drawing opportunity, which are considerable.
If you’d like to join us, we do a different subject and/or focus each week. Hop on Zoom Tuesdays at 3:00 CENTRAL. We always have a good time. And no, you don’t have to take your clothes off.
Get Inspired
Sign up to get schooled in creativity and awareness at the next Without a Net Workshop. Saturday morning, August 29th on Zoom we’ll meet for a couple hours of stretching our boundaries, lightening up, and connecting with our creative source. Our nurturing and playful environment will uplift and inspire you.
Indoor Voices
The lesson of our last online drawing class focused on interiors. I’ve included the reference images here. The emphasis was on perspective, the biggest challenge to getting everything looking coherent. Interiors were a painting focus of mine for about 15 years; read all about it in my book The Freeway.)
Some of my students get worn out by the perspective lessons, so tomorrow we’ll be getting loosy goosy. If you want to drop in anytime, you’re welcome Tuesdays at 3:00 pm on Zoom. Everyone welcome.
Building buildings
We learned how to approach architecture in online drawing class today. Above is one of the images we worked from. Perspective and proportion were the focus, but especially how to stick to the underlying simple forms before adding detail. This image gave a good challenge.
Turning Heads
Tuesday in Drop In Drawing we focused on the face again, this time from angles other than face-forward. The exercise is a challenging one, but we saw much progress by the end of class. Click on the image above for a step-by-step progression. Our focus was not to draw a perfect portrait, but to get the gist of proper proportions and perspective with heads at an angle.
Click on the above image for the portraits we worked from in class. Use them as reference to finish your drawings or start new ones.
If you’d like to join us on any Tuesday at 3:00 for an hour of fun and learning, click here. We’d love to have you join us.
Of Value
In Drop-In Drawing Class this Tuesday we learned about working on mid-tone paper with white and sanguine charcoal pencils. Click on the slideshow above for a step-by-step progression of how the materials are used in rendering.
The images below were our reference photos for further exploration. Students can use them to finish the pieces they started in class.
Join us next Tuesday at 3:00 Central for an hour of online creativity for only $10.
For some portrait practice
Another object to play with
Click on the image above for an example of a drawing of it.