...Mirror - Mirror - Face On...

Preparing ahead, I'd photographed Tony, Les and Fred last week 

with the intention of holding a portrait workshop. 

I mentioned that I had been in the restaurant business and felt 
obliged to bring in some snacks i.e. Jam Tarts and Viennese Whirls. 
Oh yeah - I also discovered how to use the CD-radio-casette 
player last week so brought in some 80s music. 

I figure if they not too keen on the drawing, maybe I can 
keep them coming back for more with Jaffa Cakes, 
Choc Chip Cookies and the Human League.
 

 Let's face it (no pun intended), faces - and hands - can be very

difficult to draw. There's so much going on. While attending an Ouse Life 

life drawing class I found this poster all about portraiture.  This was 

really handy for me, because I wasn't quite sure how to approach 

drawing a face, let alone teach you how. 

 While I was redesigning the poster instructions, I learned a lot 

myself about drawing the face, and put the knowledge to good use at 

the following life class. I realised I had been 'winging it' and hoping for 

the best. Now, being more informed I was able to draw the face 

- which I invariably left till last - with added confidence.

I brought in black and white photos of Fred, Tony and Les to assist 

them with their work, and brought mirrors along just in case John 

and Alan came along. Which is just as well, 

and Tony brought along Katie.

Very well done to all  - Alan, Fred, John, Les, Tony 

and Katie - who said she couldn't draw at all - and surprised 

us all (herself included) with an excellent self portrait.

The class showed a broad spectrum of abilities and style, 

and all drawings were very well executed and full of character

And there's more...

Since I had set up an easel and brought 

in a photo of myself - here's mine...

And yes - no superheroes, no supervillains. No comic book covers. 

  Next week folks, next week! 

Be here - for sure - for... 

  - Design a Superhero! -  

...My Favourite Restaurant...

Since I'm taking a 'Draw Anything!' approach to - well - drawing 

in general and the workshop in particular, I thought I'd base today's 

workshop on drawing restaurant and kitchen equipment. 

Having been a restaurateur for over twenty years 

- it seemed the obvious thing to do...

I also incorporated examples of 1950s neon signage as part of 

the exercise, adding your own name in place of the existing name 

- ie 'Ray's Tavern' would become 'Fred's Tavern' allows 

you to personalise the sign.

I hadn't assigned any homework last week, but Les 

surprised us all by bringing in his completed radio 

drawing, adding greater contrast and detail. 

 

While Fred, having owned a pub himself ably tackled the signage, 

Les and Tony took on the still life I assembled and produced 

a complete composition, incorporating line and tone.

  

Hmmm, I brought in colouring pencils, but considering the still life 

was stainless steel, black plastic, chrome and glass - probably needn't

have bothered. Although Fred certainly made good use of them!

 

Since everybody was progressing nicely I felt somewhat 

redundant so thought I'd better join in and get drawing myself.

Once more - no time for drawing heroes or villains! 

Next week - join us for...


Mirror Mirror - Face On! 

...Boxes, Cylinders and Spheres...

When I was asked to hold a drawing class alongside the existing 
painting and craft classes at the King's Lynn Stroke Association group, 
I had to ask myself - 'How do you draw?' and 'What do we want to 
gain from drawing?'

It became clear to me that it is one thing to be able to draw, 

and quite another to teach or show someone else (who may not 
have drawn anything since school) how to draw.

In all my previous demos and classes with various groups, of all ages, 

the common theme is fun. In my view we are not trying to be photographic 

in our efforts, but capture in our own way - using our own methods and 

abilities - the appearance and spirit of an object.

Since most objects we'll want to draw are based essentially on simple shapes, 

I prepared a workshop utilising boxes, cylinders and spheres. 

I find that I often take drawing perhaps too seriously, in that I am 
concerned that it requires appropriate preparation, time and  application. 

 

It is in fact a lot easier if you prep less, 
possibly take less time and just go for it!

Have fun and enjoy yourself.

Which is exactly what we did - and here are the results... 

 

Having tackled the fundamental shapes of drawing - it wasn't long before 

these skills were applied to more familiar objects like wine bottles and kettles,

as well as unusual objects like Greek coffee pots.

 

 It became clear that my still life inventory was becoming exhausted -

I quickly ransacked the kitchen for additional items to draw. 

Coffee beaker. Electric kettle. Glasses tray.

 

 It seemed there was no keeping up with the guys - I went back into 
the kitchen, came out with the toaster, remembered the radio I brought 
in, and disconnected the speaker in the corner. 

Back in business!

Well - we ran out of time and were unable to Design a Superhero today.

A big big thank you to drawing heroes Alan, John, Fred, Tony and Les for 

joining me on the first Drawing Workshop and producing such a 

wide range of excellent work!

Next Week's Workshop -  

'My Favourite Restaurant!'