Drawing from Nature for Beginners: Introduction (Eight Lessons and Homework)
Academic drawing is a discipline included in all types of visual arts studies. Knowledge of the basic principles of depicting objects in three dimensional space, and the rules of drawing three dimensional objects on a two dimensional plane are crucial for photographers, interior designers and those willing to paint.
This course is specifically created for beginners with no previous experience drawing from nature.
It consists of eight lessons that last two hours, during which students will develop practical skills of drawing simple objects from nature, get acquainted with the greatest artists, and learn to observe outdoors and nature.
At the end of each lesson each student is given individual homework in compliance with their current level of drawing and their current objectives. The next lesson starts with the homework check.
The aim of the course is to teach students how to transfer proportions of simple objects correctly when drawing from nature, and how to create a proper composition on paper.
Course Program.
1. Linear Perspective in Drawing : central perspective and angular perspective.
2. Aerial Perspective in Linear and Tone Drawing.
3. Composition: choosing the right format for drawing, and geometric and optical center of drawing.
4. Linear and Tone Drawing: plotting objects, pencil drawing technique, and drawing with soft materials.
5. Still Life Drawing Sequence: developing the drawing.
6. Pencil Drawing Technique.
7. Sketching and Search of Proper Composition and Tone Option.
As a result of completing these practical assignments in accordance with the program, students will be able to freely compose a group of simple objects on paper keeping accurate and correct proportions, taking into consideration foreshortening, and developing the drawing properly.
Further continuation of the program depends on the students' goals (for example, university entrance, or exam preparation) and includes creative assignments and academic tasks such as drawing plaster sculptures, still life with full tone, etc.
Program Examples
My program of academic drawing lessons is aimed at 10-16 years old children. This program has been tested on many students and it helps to develop skills that are necessary for future careers and entering the art academy.
If you have a beautiful garden or live in a countryside close to nature, you can start your drawing with exercises using simple plants. Trying to transfer their beauty to paper, you will learn to transfer proportions, will get an idea of the general mass and silhouette of an object, etc. Even quick sketches are useful in developing your power of observation, and will help you to learn how to transfer a precise line or curvature.
The shapes that can be found in the natural environment are variable and studying them is a true pleasure.
Take a look at these drawings below. These drawings by Henri Matisse were inspired by ordinary trees and plants.
In his book, Henry Matisse. Roman, Luis Aragon recalls that Matisse explained his work method for drawing trees to him...
Do you remember, I showed you the drawings that I have done some days before, with the aim of learning how to draw a tree, the leaves? I did these drawings as if I had never seen a tree before and had never drawn it. First of all, I saw a tree from my window. First, I need to analyze how the general mass of a tree was arranged, and than I will draw a tree itself - the branches, the leafs.
Louis ARAGON. Henri Matisse, roman. Gallimard, Paris 1971
A Program for Those, Who Loves Nature.
To better understand the work of the artist you can watch this movie, (the movie is in French.)
Louis ARAGON. Henri Matisse. Roman. Gallimard, Paris 1971 is a book written by a French writer and journalist (on the left, you can see the Russian edition.) It is a notebook of writers' reflections on meetings with Henri Matisse that took place from 1941 to 1971. In the book are numerous ideas on art that were expressed by Matisse during his discussions with Aragon. Also the book contains many illustrations, and preparatory sketches which reveal the artist's work process on preparing a composition.
A Program for Travelers.
If you are planning a journey to a new destination or a new country and will have time to sketch outdoors, it is good to prepare yourself to travel. Definitely, visual artists can see more details in nature, more colors and their perception of reality is more vivid.
If you are interested in developing your skills of observation, and would like to create unforgettable memories from your travels, this drawing and painting training will be advantageous.
The ability to understand nature, styles in architecture, and distinguish 200 tints of a blue sky will turn your travel experience in to a great adventure!
We will also study how to find interesting subjects for painting outdoors, so you will return from your trip with a lots of ideas for creative art works.
Discover Russian Culture and History: studying drawing and painting.
While Russia was a part of USSR, its territory was closed to foreigners and not much information on its culture, artists, or history was available to foreigners. If you are planning a trip to Russia and would like to get acquainted with its main cities, with its history of painting, ballet, and literature, we can review information on Russia at the lessons.
How can we live so that we can observe all the details in nature and develop the feelings of an artist? This was an interesting question for those who would like to add a special quality to their lives. Those who already have an understanding of literature, classical music, and have visited many countries, usually would like to know much more about the life styles of famous artists.
At the lessons we will read memories of great artists, their letters, and try to understand the advice given by those artists who achieved so much in the field of art.
If you have taken many art courses already, and would like to systematize the information on art you have obtained from different sources, you can follow my program. Often people want to join a group of art scholars to live an outstanding, special life. The followers of great artists want to feel exactly the same as the masters did, by living by the canons and rules of the great artists.
How Can We See Nature through the Eyes of an Artist?
A program for those, who are interested in self development