A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING -
By: Richard Hewlett,
These are drawing classes, not ‘art’ classes, nor are they just painting classes. However by mastering your drawing you will be in a position to move forward with real confidence and understanding.
Drawing is the foundation for painting, both figurative and abstract, illustration, caricature, sculpture etc. We will have opportunities to discuss, plan and paint.
Classic fine art drawing is a case of observation and translation of something we perceive as being three dimensional, into two dimensions.
I cannot draw a horse, I only have pencil and paper and a horse is made of more than that.
I can make marks in two dimensions that someone else will translate back to three dimensions, but it will only exist in their head. The horse will not walk in the field.
Please do not ask me how to draw a tree, a face, the sea, a cloud, a flower, in fact anything specific at all. I observe in just the same way that you do. How to represent that observation is another matter altogether. I can suggest ways that you may develop your own language through which you can express those observations. The end result will be seen by others who will comment on the drawing you have created in terms of: ‘a drawing of a horse, tree, face, sea, clouds, flower…..’
I hope, however, that in your own mind you will see it as a very cunning use of language and grammar, that the viewer didn’t even know they could read!
There is a fascinating path to walk and if you come with me it can and will enhance your life.
FITNESS
Had you decided to learn to play football, rugby, squash etc. you would appreciate
that physical FITNESS IS A PRE-
LEARNING TO DRIVE
(and you thought I was talking about drawing!)
Do you remember the first time you got behind the wheel? A B C accelerator, brake, clutch. 3 things to remember – easy – right? Hold on a minute, steering wheel, gear stick, mirrors, lights, windscreen wiper, front and back, instruments, other idiots on the road, roundabouts, speed restrictions, zebra crossings, yellow lines, give way etc. etc. etc.
Please read the above as: Paper, pencils, inks, eraser, sharpener, and drawing board/easel? Gathering information, analysing, translating, making the first mark, the light the colour, the texture, the techniques, the scale etc...
However did we learn to operate all this together, in the right order and to develop our skills even further, to eat a sandwich and talk on the phone whilst making wild gestures to other people who clearly are not as talented and skilled and shouldn’t be on the road in the first pace?
THEY BECAME AUTOMATIC RESPONSES TO OUTSIDE STIMULI.
THE SAME HAS TO BECOME A PART OF DRAWING, AN AUTOMATIC RESPONSE, EYE -
You don’t consciously think I must turn the wheel to get round the corner having already applied the brake and changed gear on approach. Likewise, I don’t want you to have to think consciously of observe, analyse, pencil, paper, scale, make mark. Auto response is what we are after.
Listening to those who have had more experience/practice/knowledge is, in most cases, beneficial. Some, like the F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, find they have a natural ability/instinct (plus putting in years and years of practice and training). Lucky him, but he still has to practice very hard, take advice, and can, and no doubt will, get even better.
I will try to be your driving instructor. I will show you how to combine the clutch and the gears, when it is safe to accelerate and when to slow down, use of the instruments etc. You don’t have to learn how the engine works but a basic knowledge will help for minor breakdowns.
It is up to you however, to decide how you want to apply this training. I hope you will explore further and take it on to your painting, sculpture, watercolour, design – whatever can become, or already is, a channel for your creativity.
Above all -
FOR PRICES AND AVAILABILITY PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Thank you René Magritte