How to draw: Observational Techniques by C.A. Jones
“Hi, I’m Charlotte. For this class we will explore the many ways we can capture a subject using only lines and marks.
We will begin with a lecture on observational theory, the employment of drawing as a way of looking the world. Following days will focus on technique and experimenting with various styles, instruments and materials.
I will prepare daily briefs according to the preferred drawing style of each individual student - Ending each day with an overview and feedback suited to their progress”
Suitable for all ages. Timetables are flexible and subject to availability. This course does not include a qualification.
Blind Drawings
Available techniques:
Reportage: This technique is very simply, drawing in the moment. Going to a place and drawing exactly what your eyes are focusing on at that time on that day. This could also be focusing on something moving, so for example, a dog running or a person playing tennis, it's about capturing and describing what you are seeing in front of you. It’s a really good way of breaking out of the whole “this must exactly like this or is not good enough” and more about learning how line can become appealing even in its scribble form.
Realism: Drawing what you see. All the techniques will be drawn and demonstrated from life, however with this one its necessary to use a photograph as our reference. I will demonstrate how to grid for accuracy and when it is relevant to use this approach, also how to read and translate an image from one surface to the other using only line and tone. This, if you like, will be more of a “how to” copy very well and accurately. The subject can be anything of your choosing, I specialize in animal portraits, draw fur, details, etc. A good thing to keep in mind, however, with this technique is that anything can be drawn in the same way.
Blind Drawing: This involves drawing a subject without looking at the paper or surface you are drawing on. The subject should remain still (so I often would suggest drawing a still life to begin), but once you gain confidence you can choose subjects that move. Blind drawing is such a great way of increasing observational skills and really gaining a larger understanding of how your senses communicate. The communication between the eye and hand are so easily overlooked, but when you can use your senses as a measuring tool, you begin to see things around you differently.
Touch drawing: Similarly to blind drawing, this process involves drawing without looking, only this time the subject will remain hidden and you can see the page. The idea of this technique is to use your sense of touch to describe what it is you are feeling, using only marks and gestures with a drawing tool. This process takes away what we know about observing and brings in a new way of thinking and problem solving. The problem being, you don’t know what the subject is until you’ve made enough marks on the page to recognize the image.
Gestalt: Pareidolia. Being able to see faces, characters, bodies or general objects we recognize in a drawing. Describing with line and exaggerating what they see using the same media. Lines can be added and taken away if necessary to allow the images and shapes to come to life. This is a continuous drawing and doesn’t allows have a finished outcome, however there can come a point where the drawing “could” be complete.
Accommodation @ the Star & Garter (optional)
Situated three floors above the award winning Star & Garter in Falmouth, the Crow's Nest offers uninterrupted view over the harbour, open plan kitchen/lounge, log burner, bathroom and bedroom. Found at the top of the high street, you are very close to the centre of town, independent shops & other activities (from £80 per night)
