Yesterday was my first portrait drawing class at the Educational Alliance. I had a lot of fun. Here's a photo of the studio:
It's a large room with lots of natural light. A circle of easels (I've never worked on an easel before!) surround a center platform.
The instructor walked into the room and said, "Let's draw!" And just like that, we were off to the races. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, so I just grabbed a piece of charcoal and jumped in!
For the drawing above he posed for 5 minutes, 3 times. So this drawing took about 15 minutes.
This next one was a 10 minute pose (I snapped my drawing and the instructor/model together):
I don't think it really looks like him, but I'm trying!
I moved my easel for the next drawing. I wanted to try a straight on view.
This was the most difficult drawing for me. (10 minutes of torture.) My brain kicked in and I started to draw what I thought was supposed to be there instead of what I was actually seeing. I think this is my least favorite of the drawings.
Between drawing sessions, the students and the instructor circulated around the room. There wasn't much direct instruction. Some general hints and tips. The students were a supportive and diverse group (all ages and races).
I moved my easel once more for the last two drawings. The one below was a 20 minute drawing (in 2 ten minute sections).
For this final drawing (below), the instructor grabbed a clip light to create a much stronger distinction between light and dark. I believe this was a twenty minute session as well.
(The portrait being drawn at the left side of the photo was by a man who teaches sculpture at the Educational Alliance. It's pretty awesome.)
This was a real "thrown into the deep end of the swimming pool" moment, but two-and-a-half of the happiest hours nonetheless. I'm sadly going to miss the next class due to CHA, but I look forward to finding out what's next.
Thanks for stopping by!
I really like your drawings! Full of character and life! Why are you taking the course again? 😀 I can almost feel the agony you describe when drawing – I remember it from my past. It’s a terrible exciting bittersweet feeling, much like giving birth :D. Btw, I think your teacher has an interesting face to draw. Good luck with the CHA and the rest of the course!
I really like your drawings! Full of character and life! Why are you taking the course again? 😀 I can almost feel the agony you describe when drawing – I remember it from my past. It’s a terrible exciting bittersweet feeling, much like giving birth :D. Btw, I think your teacher has an interesting face to draw. Good luck with the CHA and the rest of the course!
I really like your drawings! Full of character and life! Why are you taking the course again? 😀 I can almost feel the agony you describe when drawing – I remember it from my past. It’s a terrible exciting bittersweet feeling, much like giving birth :D. Btw, I think your teacher has an interesting face to draw. Good luck with the CHA and the rest of the course!
I really like your drawings! Full of character and life! Why are you taking the course again? 😀 I can almost feel the agony you describe when drawing – I remember it from my past. It’s a terrible exciting bittersweet feeling, much like giving birth :D. Btw, I think your teacher has an interesting face to draw. Good luck with the CHA and the rest of the course!
Sounds like so much fun!
You know what? …. I think I like the first one the best of the bunch. I’m not sure what it is about it, but it feels “real”.
Great stuff.
Sounds like so much fun!
You know what? …. I think I like the first one the best of the bunch. I’m not sure what it is about it, but it feels “real”.
Great stuff.
Sounds like so much fun!
You know what? …. I think I like the first one the best of the bunch. I’m not sure what it is about it, but it feels “real”.
Great stuff.
Sounds like so much fun!
You know what? …. I think I like the first one the best of the bunch. I’m not sure what it is about it, but it feels “real”.
Great stuff.
It amazes me that you can draw so much in such a short time. I like the feel of the last sketch since it seems to capture him and his “look”. Keep it up and hope you have an interesting adventure at CHA.
It amazes me that you can draw so much in such a short time. I like the feel of the last sketch since it seems to capture him and his “look”. Keep it up and hope you have an interesting adventure at CHA.
It amazes me that you can draw so much in such a short time. I like the feel of the last sketch since it seems to capture him and his “look”. Keep it up and hope you have an interesting adventure at CHA.
It amazes me that you can draw so much in such a short time. I like the feel of the last sketch since it seems to capture him and his “look”. Keep it up and hope you have an interesting adventure at CHA.
that is so freaking rad! you rock..so cool!
that is so freaking rad! you rock..so cool!
that is so freaking rad! you rock..so cool!
that is so freaking rad! you rock..so cool!
I think you did great1 What a way to stretch your creativity!
I think you did great1 What a way to stretch your creativity!
I think you did great1 What a way to stretch your creativity!
I think you did great1 What a way to stretch your creativity!
Julie, those portraits are fabulous. You did way better than I could only imagine for myself. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You rock!!!
Julie, those portraits are fabulous. You did way better than I could only imagine for myself. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You rock!!!
Julie, those portraits are fabulous. You did way better than I could only imagine for myself. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You rock!!!
Julie, those portraits are fabulous. You did way better than I could only imagine for myself. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You rock!!!
too cool – can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.
too cool – can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.
too cool – can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.
too cool – can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.
um. wow. you are so talented!! to do that in a few minutes is just amazing, you have a gift Julie!!
um. wow. you are so talented!! to do that in a few minutes is just amazing, you have a gift Julie!!
um. wow. you are so talented!! to do that in a few minutes is just amazing, you have a gift Julie!!
um. wow. you are so talented!! to do that in a few minutes is just amazing, you have a gift Julie!!