Lesson 1 - The Power of Seeing

In my first lecture, I will talk about the difference between looking and seeing. Anyone can look at a subject, but it takes a deeper understanding of that subject in order to truly SEE. Seeing is about knowing, thinking, and asking questions. I will talk about how to LOOK at a subject and SEE simplified shapes. I will discuss my thought process while observing and drawing the shapes in a dog's face. We will then draw a frog together using this shape technique. Assignment: You will be provided with a picture of a giraffe. Apply what you learned about shapes to draw this giraffe.

Lesson 2 - The Power of Values

In this lecture, I will talk about value or tone. When we use lights and darks in our images, we give them power, create drama, and communicate form. I will talk about how the great masters effectively used value and together we will make a value scale. You will be asked to follow along by drawing a lion that I provide using shapes, and then adding values to it. In my demo, I will take my frog drawing from Lecture 1 and add values, creating drama. Assignment: Draw the statue of the Angel or the Reclining Lion, applying everything we have discussed about value.

Lesson 3 - The Power of Perspective

I will start this lesson by discussing perspective and the horizon line. I will show you how ellipses relate to the horizon line and introduce the grid line. I will show you how objects sit on the grid and demonstrate the power of the grid in a quick and simple sketch. You will be asked to draw a picture of Venice from an image provided, applying what we talked about in this lesson. Then I will draw the same image while talking through my thought process. Assignment: Draw the White House image provided, applying all the ideas we discussed about perspective.

Lesson 4 - The Power of Composition

In this lecture, I will talk about what good composition is and is not. In essence, good composition means placing and arranging objects in a picture in a balanced and pleasing way, thus establishing the power of an image, making it attractive to the viewer, and ensuring its success. I will discuss the rule of thirds and relate it to the grid principle from Lecture 3. Through multiple video demos, I will show you my approach for good composition (as well as examples of poor composition). Assignment: Produce a drawing that demonstrates good composition using the 5 reference images provided.

Lesson 5 - The Power of Gesture (and Other Cool Things)

In this lecture, I will talk about an oft-overlooked aspect of storytelling: gesture. I will show you great examples of gesturing and explain what makes them dynamic and expressive. Other cool things: in your drawing career, you will likely draw a lot of faces, so I have included a 45-minute demo of how I draw a face. I will offer you my observations about the face, my tips for constructing and semi-blind contour drawing of an easily recognizable face. There is no assignment for this lesson. However.....keep drawing!!