Drawing

The gateway to a fuller life.

Many people (including me!), were told at school that they were 'no good' at drawing, usually by a teacher who wasn't qualified to make a judgement. Unfortunately, as children, we take all this in and actually BELIEVE that we can't draw and so drop it altogether.

I have been teaching adults how to draw and paint for 15 years, and it is sad how common this story is. About 90% of my students were told they were rubbish, and leave it for 30 years till they decide to try again.

Look, Observe, Understand and Reproduce

Drawing is a rewarding, fulfilling experience. I'm not saying it's easy, but it can be taught, and everyone can learn to improve hugely, in a remarkably short space of time. Students often decide to attend a painting class (because they were told they can't draw, remember), but this only takes you so far.

Drawing, the ability to look, observe, understand and reproduce what you see before you is the first and most important step towards producing a picture. Neglecting this area means that you will become increasingly frustrated with your paintings.

Painting without learning to draw is like trying to run before you can walk. Luckily, learning to draw is fun and the results so rewarding that it is worth putting your paints away for a little while and getting down to basics. This applies to both the complete beginner and the more experienced painter.

Focus your brain and improve your life

As the 'Right side of the Brain' approach has been researched in the past 20 years by scientists and psychologists, it is becoming recognised that drawing, and expressing oneself in an artistic way, is actually a vital part of our 'being', a fundamental aspect of our daily needs, in the same way as, for example, meditation, fresh air or contact with other people.

It is a fabulous form of focusing our brains, and sharpening up our skills. Concentrating on the drawing subject gives us a fantastic break from the stresses and worries of every other aspect of our lives. This was beautifully illustrated for me in a recent class, when a student stormed into the room straight from a very busy day at work, took off her power jacket and tensely exclaimed, "I SO need this"..! By the end of the class she was the picture of serenity, totally unwound from the days events and had produced a lovely painting into the bargain.

If you've been neglecting your drawing for ages, take the plunge and get started, either on your own in the kitchen, or in a class. You'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago, and be improving your life more that you ever imagined.