Learning to see

Everyone can draw. Learning to draw is really a matter of learning to see correctly. Then add feeling and thought. It really is that easy, but most people are discouraged before they event get past kindergarten.

I read an article from an old magazine that a friend passed on about some artist's inspirational drawing experiment. They asked everyone they met in a cafe to draw a saltshaker in their journal and then sign it. Everyone could do it, but just needed some coaching on how to actually look at the saltshaker. I absolutely loved this idea. It challenged the inner bully that says 'I can't draw' and instead offered the idea that they just didn't know how to see. If a person can learn to observe clearly, then drawing becomes easy.

In my personal journey teaching art, I see that those who are able to connect with how they feel end up with the best drawings, even if there is no previous experience. For a first time in long time drawing, here are some guiding tips.

 Draw what you feel about what you see. (Jack Reid)

Move your object around (or you move around it) and see it at different angles. Find something about it you are interested in.

Once you have decided, look for the largest, most general shapes and start to draw those lines first (then draw in all the smaller shapes).

Proportion is relative, so if you are not sure, then compare it to something beside, around or inside it.

DRAW WHAT YOU SEE (not what you think...this means that you should actually be looking at what you are drawing more than looking at the paper ;).

Now put in the shadows (those are shapes too) and don't be afraid to go really dark! Notice that value is also relative to its surroundings, and that there's a variety of dark, mid and light values. Notice the edges....are they soft edges that change subtly or very sharp, changing abruptly from dark to light?.

DRAW WHAT YOU FEEL. The structure is all there now, so its time to delight in all the little patterns and details! Dots, lines and scribbles are all ways of creating interesting textures and expressionistic marks.

Let go of the idea that it has to be perfect....there is something fantastic about your own unique way of seeing and sharing that! So get that old kindergarten teacher's voice out of your head, she sucks and she's wrong. It's all about passion and more about self-expression than perfection. I'd rather say that it's better to be wrong and strong than right and light, and I would love to hear more people say "I can" ;)

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. (Maya Angelou)

So start with a saltshaker. The best part is, once you get past that first drawing, the more you draw the better you get as your eye-hand coordination skills improve. Drawing is quite enjoyable too, very relaxing and meditative. It's like writing, music and dancing. Creativity in all it's forms is a release that lights up our spirit and makes us feel alive. So draw just to celebrate, because you can see.