Drawing - Techniques and Practice

Class Description

Ages 16 + This 4-session drawing program is an opportunity to experiment with materials, receive guidance in drawing techniques, practice drawing skills, and explore drawing concepts. The emphasis is on relaxed, friendly coaching; each student will have the opportunity to acquire new skills or challenge themselves to a new level. Each session will include exercises, drawing practice, informational handouts, and examples form historic and contemporary drawing. The sessions will be geared toward multiple skill levels; students will be offered beginning and intermediate options in each session and given the opportunity to practice at their own pace. A sample outline, although content may change based on the needs of the enrollees: Session 1- The Basics; drawing materials and concepts. Explore a range of drawing tools, from beginning to intermediate. We will cover the basics of observational drawing; how to begin, the concepts of contour and shape, proportion and comparison, and negative space. Basics of line quality, gesture and texture will be introduced. Session 2- Developing space, depth and volume. Through a study of still life objects students will gain an understanding of the basic geometric forms, learn the fundamentals of basic perspective, and explore how to add greater depth and sense of space to a drawing. Beginning students will explore the basics while intermediate students will have the opportunity to challenge themselves. Session 3- Shading and Value. Learn the tools and concepts for applying shading to a drawing to give volume and weight to objects, as well as enhance mood and feeling. A variety of materials will be explored, appropriate to experience level. Session 4- Final drawing experience, putting it together. Gain an understanding of the concepts of composition, and how to further develop a drawing. Beginning students may continue working on earlier concepts, utilizing them to create a finished drawing. For students comfortable with the basics, options will be given to utilize alternative papers or drawing materials for further exploration. Class minimum: 4 Class maximum: 10 About the Instructor: Laurel Geis has lived in the White Lake area for 29 years. She taught Art in public schools for 30 years before retiring. She is an active artist, working primarily in painting and drawing, and her work has been widely exhibited in sites like the Muskegon Museum of Art and the White River Gallery.