Lesson 2: Line An Essential Ingredient.
Let's keep this section of the course simple. I am going to describe for you one simple way to learn to draw using line. There are many, many ways to approach drawing. I will provide links to the ideas and theories of others - so that you can choose from a wide variety of methods and techniques. But for the time being. Lets just keep it simple.
Introduction - More About Attitude than Technique
Have you ever been told that you have an attitude problem?
Have you ever stopped to think what that may mean?
Do you actually know what an attitude is?
The definition of attitude is "readiness to respond, with some degree of favourableness in a consistent manner."
That is what I would like to impart to you throughout this course, through the discussion boards and via the exercises you print out to keep beside your journal. The attitude of readiness will continue to develop well after the course is over.
When artists teach drawing, they usually impart their knowledge about technique. Or they set various exercises which encourage particular ways of seeing and drawing what we see. Rather than do that myself - I will refer the reader to various exercises on a variety of websites and provide links to exercises and information portals in the resource section. You can of course search out these kind of links too. Please post the links if you find information you think will be useful. I will guide you to these resources rather than explain them myself. As they have already been adequately explained. Rather I hope to journal a process of imagining with you, as I describe ways to improve your ability to become self motivated, and develop a style and sense of direction of your own. Your journal reflects your attitude to yourself, your ability and your artwork. The 'ability' or the 'talent' to draw resides within. It cannot be taught to you, nor can it be drawn forth from you by another."When the student is ready the teacher will appear."I believe this wholeheartedly. It is a very apt saying. Students will not become inclined to reclaim the ability to see in an artistic manner until they are perfectly ready. By experiencing this course you will begin to devise ways that allow you as an artist to 'get ready' for the ride of a life time. I say that because your ride will actually last a life time. If you are ready it will become an integrated part of your whole life's experience - if you let it. The life style is a way of being, rather than an act of doing, and slowly this 'gratitude attitude' will seep through your entire artistic endeavours. If you find you are not ready. You may develop a taste for that peaceful mindset and gravitate back to it later. When you have more time or you are under less stress. The reasons we don't come to a position of creativity can be numerous. Dabble until the time comes and viola! One day it will just appear. Like the stranger in The Hundred Acre Woods ......... read on.......
