Drawing by KATHY REED

The Healing Power of Art

I have loved and dabbled in art in one way or another since I was a child, but life circumstances always prevented me from really devoting myself to learning and practicing art until the present time. As a cancer survivor, I know that the time to do what I love is right now. As someone who also lost her husband a year ago, I know that art provides much needed healing and can add a great deal of meaning to your life. I stumbled upon the Drawing Academy website a couple of months ago and was amazed at the resources to be found there…that’s why I’m entering this competition.

I am largely self taught and know that there are gaps in my education that need to be filled if I am to progress further at other than a snail’s pace.

The organization at the Drawing Academy seems to be ideal to fulfill this need. I’ve looked at the website thoroughly and impressed with what I’ve found there. They start with the basics from the correct supplies to use down to how to hold a pencil. Teaching is done using proven techniques that are classic, originating in the time of the old masters and classes are taught by professional fine artists and teachers. It seems to me that these methods will allow me to learn to draw anything I want to draw, rather than just trying to copy from a picture, which is what I’ve been doing to practice.

The areas covered look to be really extensive including perspective drawing, proportions, figure drawing, still life, animal drawing, botanical drawing and even human anatomy. It seems to me that a knowledge of anatomy would be vital to being able to draw really successful portraits and figure drawings. Just a look at the course outline shows how comprehensive the lessons are….it looks like they cover everything I could wish for related to drawing.

I have not entered any competitions before and don’t know if this essay is what you are looking for. I do know that the Drawing Academy seems to be everything I need to advance my skills and I hope to be able to pursue my dream of becoming a full time artist. I would greatly appreciate your voting for me.