Interview with Student about Figure/Portrait Class

The course is as much of either as you want. I suggest, if you want to learn (!) to use charcoal and smooth newsprint on a board. Cost about $35 to get set up if you don't have the tools already.

Here's why - drawing and painting, regardless of the medium is about seeing. Whether you paint in oil, watercolor, or whatever, you must simplify the subject. There are specific details in every medium, but the key for all mediums is what you put down, and what you don't. Proper charcoal technique improves not only your drawing skill, but also your painting skill by elevating your ability to see, and your technical ability to draw/paint.

More portrait at first...but models will all be dressed for full figure drawing/painting.

I don't know what to say about that...I am not helping students paint photos...I am helping them paint paintings - students will use photos to do so, but the point is to change the photo to be more meaningful, and eliminate subversive details. That means highlighting specific details, and learning where those are, so that you can build a representative image.

I am basically a representative painter - I love the natural world, and capturing a specific flavor that I (the artist) emphasize. That's what I teach - learn what you want to emphasize, and then how to draw/paint it.

Hee, hee...the plan for the class is an introduction to a technique, similar to what I mentioned above (what's your emphasis?). You are not a dunce - you just need training, like everybody else. Do not be intimidated by others. They each have their own path, and you have yours. Take joy in their successes, but be wary of comparing yourself to them.

Learn from them - talk to them. Learn how to ask about what they did to get a specific technique. The real issue is always persistence and willingness to learn.

Regarding subject matter, I don't have a self-portrait scheduled. I do have a combination of photo, live-still in shape of head/bust, live-angled head shape, and live-clothed model for the first class. In later classes, we increase our models to twice a month, with amendments in between. The last month has three models, with mini critique during a model break.

I include a handout during each class describing the goal, and why the goal is an important to being able to draw/paint figures. That helps students to refocus on why they are doing what they are doing while they are drawing/painting.

I took courses at Watts Atelier in Encinitas, and loved the many different approaches instructors would offer. Many taught similar kinds of technique, but how they talked about it was different. I always support multiple teachers!