Drawing Classes for Adults!
I have taught adult beginners’ drawing classes for the last three years, and then….COVID. I miss teaching, and I am now bravely stepping into the future by offering an online version of my famous (well, I think it is) “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” Adult Beginners`Drawing Bootcamp!
There are two options. If you’re looking for social connection and a schedule that keeps you accountable, the Small Group class will meet once a week over Zoom. If you have Zoom-fatigue, or are looking to go more low-tech, try the Self-Paced class. Either way, you will receive access to instructional videos, printable worksheets, and lots of instructor feedback through email, phone or video calls.
What makes this class different?
A little story. When I was fifteen I found a secondhand copy of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards, and I was so amazed at how it explained the process of learning to draw. I got very excited and tried to teach my high school friends at lunch. They weren’t that thrilled. Twenty years later, I FINALLY got my chance to put this amazing book into practice.
With the book as a guide, I have combined the best of Edwards’ drawing exercises with my own favourites pulled from fifteen years as an art teacher. For the more challenging activities in Edwards’ book, I have created ‘stepping stone’ activities that build up students`skills and confidence. Throughout the class, I guide students through common drawing problems, explain the reasons why every beginner runs into the same problems, and teach techniques to help students truly `draw what they see`.
Expect to reflect!
This is a class for people who like to think about their learning and their process. I am full of fascinating tidbits about the history of drawing, about how artists work, and about how drawing skills develop from infancy to adulthood. We talk about how visual signals are processed by the brain, and how humans`amazing capacity for language might actually impede observational drawing.
One of the magical things that happens in the group classes is that people start to share what happened for them as they did the exercise. One person might have found their brain resisted the exercise; another might have felt very relaxed. It keeps the focus away from judging whether the drawing is good or bad, and back on what is happening in our brains and how we solve drawing problems. (Feeling shy? No problem. Sharing is entirely by choice. I do encourage all students, Group or Self-Paced, to reflect in a drawing journal about the process.)
Structure of the class:
GROUP CLASS $255
The online portion of the class will be about 2 hours a week. After about 45 minutes of lecture and discussion, there will be a chance to draw together on the weekly exercise. Students are welcome to turn their cameras off or on while they work. I will be there to answer questions, and there can be some friendly chatter. At the end, students are invited to reconvene onscreen to share their reflections on their process and say goodbye to the group.
Additionally, there will be projects to complete on your own, about one hour a week. Don’t worry- they come with clear instructions, often with printed worksheets, and online-videos. I will be available during ‘office hour’ times for clarification and support. There are also optional extension exercises for those who want to go further with their drawing practice between classes.
SELF-PACED $220
All the materials and lessons from the class, at your speed. You will receive an invitation to join our Google Classroom, which has written instructions for all assignments, printable files and links to videos. The exercises are designed with a warm-up, a main exercise and a take-it-further extension. There is a suggested schedule, but you are free to do the exercises in any order that you wish. As you complete each exercise, email it to me for feedback. You also have up to three hours of one-on-one instructional time that you may use for weekly check-ins or longer tutorials.
INDIVIDUALIZED FEEDBACK (SELF-PACED AND GROUP)
Upload a photo or scan of your drawings and send it in (through Classroom, or just email/text me) for feedback. With your permission, I can draw and make notes on your digital image and send it back. Feedback will be returned to you within 7 days. I will also hold ‘office hours’ on (tentatively) Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30, where students will be able to book personal consultations, whether you just need a quick question answered or need to work through something you’re struggling with.
Tech requirements:
If you are doing the Self-Paced class, all you need is a computer that can access the internet and a way to scan or photograph your drawings, which you will then email or text to me. We can discuss your progress over the phone, or video call (see below.)
If you are doing the Group class, you will need all of the above, plus a device with a webcam and microphone for the weekly Zoom.
What the Class Covers
In moving the in-person class to online, I’ve slowed down the pace, added more exercises, more content and more chances to revisit previous techniques.
The Beginners Class (six weeks) begins on Jan 31st, and covers contour lines, negative space, proportions, and markmaking! There is a focus on drawing from photos and from artwork. Absolutely foundational stuff for a beginner. The class syllabus can be seen here.
Next Steps
Later this spring (pandemic allowing) I hope to offer an Intermediate class (also six weeks, also online) that will take us into perspective, shading, gesture and faces. Those with some basic drawing skills already may wish to start here, and graduates of the Beginner Class can of course continue on. (Yes, you can call yourself Intermediate after finishing the Beginner Class!) The Intermediate class is tentatively scheduled for March 14th to May 25, with no class on Easter.
Email Jacquie to reserve your spot!