Objects of Desire to Draw

Adult sketchers, Levels 2 and 3, enjoy using our new studio/classroom for a 4-week course of intensive object drawing. The drawing classes take place in the afternoons and evenings and challenge students' observational skills.

 
Working from still life objects such as large shells and plaster casts of hands, everyone concentrated on accurate proportions, contour edges, and creating tonal values with charcoal.

 
To step up the challenge, we threw a plaster-cast bust into the mix with wonderful results! Students learned to sketch and measure the larger shapes before finishing with contours and tones. Shown above are drawings in progress by Kirsten (left) and Helen (right).

Getting used to drawing with charcoal was each student's first step. Above left is a charcoal study of a shell by Adam. And to the right is his 3-tone charcoal drawing of a hand and sphere, showing how he quickly adapted to using charcoal.

As students made 3-tone drawings from the plaster cast, they concentrated on blocking-in basic shapes, measuring accurate proportions, and drawing natural looking contours. Afterward, they added the 3 tones--dark shadows, mid tones, and highlights. Then the fun began: lots of smudging, smearing, erasing, and blending of tones! Above, shown clockwise, are drawings by Matt, Michele, Kirsten, and Allison.

To the left are Helen's study sketches and her finished charcoal drawing.