Still Life Drawing in Graphite

Artwork by Helen, Drawing Academy student

I have always loved art as a child until present. My father used to draw a little when I was younger, however, I can’t recall what his style was; just that he could draw and it was fun to watch him.

My first set of oil paints were purchased using S&H Green Stamps, used for redeeming for merchandise when I was about 15. Of course, I had no idea about what to do with them other than paint with them. I knew nothing about color mixing or theory. My brother and I were the school artists that were called upon to enter art competitions and paint the classroom windows for the holidays.

I took an art class for one semester in college for drawing. Years later, I found myself always doodling on anything I could find and purchased a cheap sketchbook to start drawing from art books.

In 1996 I was gifted a set of acrylic paints and pastel chalk so I enrolled in a leisure class to learn acrylic painting. I really enjoyed being in that environment. The first thing I painted was the can of soda I brought with me to class which turned out pretty good I thought. Unfortunately, I’m not sure where it is now. After a few more paintings my teacher advised me to try oils because I could blend and work it at a slower pace. She was right.

I learned a lot about colors because we could only use the primary colors so I learned how to mix colors and completed several paintings with her assistance. I never felt I knew the fundamentals of drawing. I enrolled at the Glassell School Of Art for several classes where I learned a lot from Drawing 1&2, 2D, and Beginning Painting. In these classes I experimented with Drawing using pencil and pen & ink, oil and chalk pastels, and oil paints.

I enrolled in the Drawing Academy classes because of the unlimited access as well as the way the curriculum is designed to build on one concept/mastery at a time.

I look forward to working through the course and have made a commitment to make the sessions a priority.