Welcome to Observational Drawing on Mondays from 5-7pm, running from March 25 through May 15, 2024
OVERVIEW: Our plan for this class is to learn to draw what you see before you, observing various subjects (from composed still lives to crumpled garbage) and using various techniques (from contour line to tonal studies) while using various mediums (from charcoal to color pencil). You'll begin to develop a personalized approach to representing what you see, while we ask general questions about drawing, like what's it for, and how does it change the way we see the world?
GETTING HERE: TheDrawingStudio address is 3353 Rowena Ave, LA, CA 90027. The classes take place in a working artist's studio, in a private residence. To enter you'll walk through the wooden driveway gate by pulling on the red gate numbers "3353." Proceed up a driveway along the house to the back yard. There is street parking with no need for permit, but please do check the signs for street cleaning times. Refer to the Policies page for more on arrival and departure information, and please know that TheDrawingStudio is not responsible for any drop-offs and pick-ups; all students are asked to arrive on their own terms.
ACCOMODATIONS: The studio is a working artist's studio so please be mindful of works in progress. It's an indoor/outdoor space with one or two steps. As mentioned in the studio's Policies I ask that you let me know how I can accommodate your needs before class. The bathroom and wash-up sink are inside the private residence. Please be aware there is a dog on the premises so let me know if you require accomodations in relation to the dog.
BEING THERE: There are no class refunds or makeup classes. Students are asked to arrive and leave on time. Please check out the Policies page for our Community Agreement.
COMMUNICATION: My email is classes@thedrawingstudio.info. Please allow 24-48 hours for replies. For urgent matters you can call or text me at 323-646-4804. Please reply to this email with emergency contact information for you, by emailing classes@thedrawingstudio.info and stating in the email your name, and a name and number for your emergency contact. By signing up for this class you are subscribed to our occasional newletter. Please email me if you'd like to unsubscribe.
DOCUMENTATION: TheDrawingStudio does document students and their work for the purposes of teaching, website and some social media. Please check out the Policies page.
MATERIALS AND STORAGE: We supply drawing mediums except for paper. There are cases in which we cannot supply a specific material that a student might want to use, in which case we ask the student to source it. Paper for this class can be found here. If you'd like to bring your own materials there is a list here, and I encourage you to do so if you have resources at the moment. Students can occasionally store their work at the studio, but I urge students to keep it in their portfolios which they take with them to and from class. There are no texts for the class, but I often reference books and artists and will keep a running list for each class.
EXPECTATIONS: The class hinges on engagement, and on a willingness to pay attention. Here are some playful rules for the course, and here again is our community agreement. There are no grades or assessments, but I am here to write letters of reference for students who I have extended experience with. There is no homework, but sketchbooks are encouraged and to be discussed by our cohort.
By the way, TheDrawingStudio has its own growing glossary of terms, so please check it out and help us grow it as we discuss and redefine what drawing is and can be in our Glossary Sessions.
COURSE OUTLINE: Below find the general course outline for our 8-week session. It is subject to change based on the spirit and interest of the cohort.
March 25: Dynamic Contour; Line as Edge and Surface
April 1 Sketch Method; Toolbox for Life
April 8 Edge of Light/Edge of Dark
April 15 Line as Value; Light on Dark
April 22 Continuous Tone; Shadow and Bling
April 29 Linear Perspective; 1 and 2 Point
May 6 Drawing With Style; Illustration Lens
May 13 Experimental Drawing
My diagram for our upcoming class together, Observational Drawing March 2024!