In order to draw realistically, we have to teach ourselves to think and see abstractly. The first step is forgetting about the preconceived idea of “drawing a thing." Instead, by recording a series of specific shapes in shades of light and dark, a representation of form will begin to emerge. Charcoal is the perfect, simple tool, acting as a fluid extension of the artist’s hand, arm, body, and mind. It is simultaneously dense, soft, hard, delicate, fast, bold, messy, clean, and above all, forgiving. By exploring a variety of techniques for applying charcoal to paper, we will train our hands and minds to approach the idea of drawing by seeing differently.

This class will cover the following topics:

• Approaching the “big picture” in terms of light and dark shapes
• Working from plaster casts and still life objects
• Practicing a variety of techniques and methods of applying charcoal, in all of its many forms
• Creating dynamic drawings through composition, lighting, and visual hierarchy
• Discussing the various qualities of how light acts on a form, and how to capture the effect in a drawing
• Visually comparing and measuring your drawing to your subject
• Embracing erasure, or subtraction, as another method of drawing, rather than “fixing a mistake”

Taught by Manifest Artist in Residence Katelyn Wolary

Tuition: $100