Why Learning To Draw Matters

I remember being in high school watching my friend sign his name and draw a picture with it in everyone's yearbooks. He could whip out the most amazing illustrations before our history teacher even finished attendance! Later in life, my friend recalls that he didn't remember seeing me draw much in high school. Knowing me now, he wondered, why was that? The simple, short answer: self confidence - (or lack thereof.) I loved drawing and art even back then, but I lacked the self confidence in my skills to do it in front of people, or certainly in something as lasting and visible as a yearbook!

Watching my daughter, Mia, grow up drawing and illustrating so simply and fearlessly makes me realize how much the old adage, "nurture vs. nature" comes into play. She seems to have a natural talent for it. I sometimes wonder how much of that is growing up taking classes, watching me, and even earning money, teaching her own art classes to kids. It seems to be a mix of both a bent towards drawing, and also just simply, learning how to do it. Just like anything else in life there are tools, techniques, and things to know.

Looking back, it's not that I couldn't draw, it's that I always wondered if mine was, "correct" or even if it was good. The idea of drawing in front of anyone terrified me! My parents weren't creatively inclined, so I didn't grow up feeling natural in this element. Even making simple sketches to visually communicate an idea felt like pressure. I simply lacked the toolbox to draw confidently and feel good about it.

I've seen in myself that as my drawing skills improve, so do the finished paintings. Getting the perspective in drawings correct and putting lines down on the paper without worry has been a game changer.

In fact, over the years of teaching watercolor classes, I've had many people tell me that they love to paint, but don't feel confident with their drawings. This resonated with me as I completely could relate. To help with this, I'm putting the paint box aside for a bit and with the help of my wonderful artistic friend, Holli Luther, we are hosting a drawing workshop.

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This workshop is loaded with tools and practice exercises to build your drawing confidence. Held via Zoom call, it will be a way for your to treat yourself to some comfortable learning at home. It's designed to build your understanding of the technical aspects of drawing, as well as just getting better at translating our 3d world onto 2d paper. I think you'll see that feeling brave in the drawing portion of making art helps to alleviate that "imposter syndrome" and gives you more skills to create courageously.

We hope you (or someone you love) can join us on Friday and Saturday, November 20th and 21st.

Upcoming Workshop:
Drawing Basics - $90
November 20th and 21st
Via Zoom call in the comfort of your home.

• Friday evening from 5:30 to 8:30
• Saturday morning from 9 to 12:00
  
  Each day will include:
• Daily warmup exercises
• Demonstration and explanation of topics.
• Instruction through creating together.
• Short breaks each hour to stretch, snack or refresh your beverage.
  

Space will be limited so that we can give help and feedback to each participant. Register here for this workshop.

Registration ends November 17th (or until the class is full)

*A basic drawing supply list will be e-mailed to participants once sign up is complete.