Beginning Drawing (3-Day Workshop)

Drawing can be a fun way to creatively explore the world. It is also fundamental to painting, printmaking, and other design and craft disciplines. This introductory three-day workshop focuses on beginning to draw using line. In this workshop we will learn helpful concepts and basic practices to help students learn how to draw accurately from observation, through patient repetition of a few clearly described steps. This will strengthen eye-hand coordination and the mind-body connection central to drawing, art making, and other creative processes.

In this workshop we will ‘start from the ground up,’ learning about the range of graphite art pencils, erasers, and drawing paper we will be using, then considering ways of holding the pencil and making marks on paper. We will be introduced to the concept of drawing languages, and over the course of the workshop we will work with the practices of contour line drawing and construction line drawing. Our discussion will include ways to prevent ‘getting stuck’ (and ‘getting un-stuck’ if you do get stuck), addressing past or future concerns that can play a role in learning. We will also discuss optional skill building exercises to do outside of class and after the workshop is over to further your drawing practice.

The process-oriented approach offered in this workshop considers a calm, patient approach to learning and the creative process. Simple procedures are introduced and repeated to build eye-hand coordination and mind-body connection. Building this connection takes time and steady application but can lead to experience of flow state in which time and distractions disappear, while also building toward making images that you want to make. 

If you are eager to try out an art process for the first time drawing can be a good starting point. The materials are uncomplicated to use and relatively inexpensive. For those who already have some art-making experience refreshing or adding to your drawing skill set can help you take your artwork further. As such, this workshop may be useful for students with either modest or ambitious aspirations for making artwork, and who possess any degree of past art making experience. 

SUPPLIES: The following supplies or their equivalent are recommended for this class. If you have questions or concerns about purchasing supplies, please let us know prior to the class start.

NOTE: Bloomington Fine Art Supply, a local, independent art store located at 207 S. Rogers Street near the corner of 4^th and Rogers Streets, has a copy of this list and will put together a kit of all the class supplies for you to pick up in their store. They are offering a 15% discount on your purchase of supplies on this list. Bloomington Fine Art Supply’s website is bfasupply.com, their phone number is 812-369-4013, and their email is bfa.supply@gmail.com.

Required
- Graphite art pencils: 6B, 4B, 2B, HB – brands other than Faber Castell preferred (Faber Castell pencils are of good quality but are relatively harder than other brands)
- 18”x24” Strathmore 400 Series drawing pad or other 18"x24" drawing or sketch pad (not newsprint)
- Kneaded eraser
- Pink eraser 
- Snap blade cutter (if you already have a sharp box cutter or utility knife that will work)

Optional
- Drawing board with clips and large rubber band approx. 20”x26” (This is useful for drawing at home. Drawing boards and clips will be available for use in class.)
- Sketchbook - 9”x12” suggested. We will discuss selecting and using a sketchbook on the first day of the workshop.
- Mechanical pencil style eraser – Tombow Mono round or rectangular 
- Vinyl Eraser