A new class. This one on drawing from nature. Not an obvious choice
based on my interests, though I am a gardener and find natural objects
interesting. Drawing is my Achilles' heal which is why this was a good
class to choose.
The precision and detail was demanding but I am quite
pleased with what I managed to accomplish. The technique my new teacher
recommended had a great similarity with the way my other teacher showed
us how to paint. Start by drawing a broad shape that resembles the
subject, then fill in with detail. This worked well for me, so that when it came to drawing my second object I felt more confident.
Our teacher began by showing us some slides of drawings, sketches and
water colors that revealed the variety of results using the media. As he went through the slides, he talked about using
sketching and drawing to fix moments in one's memory. In particular
there was a slide of one of his own drawings that he had done at Kew
Gardens in London. He told us that because of this little sketch he
remembered everything about the day. This I think, is an important idea
and makes me think of why I write poetry. I write poetry to remember a
moment, and in so doing that moment is crystallized in a manner that is lacking in typical prose descriptions. The act of creating embosses that memory and captures the essence. Everyday language can be clunky and frustrating. Art makes communication fluid and nuanced.
