March 2023

First grading at Watts Atelier

Oh my gosh, I’m so geeky. I know I’ll calm down soon and become a slug about updating this blog. But it’s still all new to me, so here I am…posting again so soon.

Apparently, the best of the bunch, with the fewest problems.

I got graded on the first set of paintings from the Oil Fundamentals course. I got a score of 100%, but I think they are taking into account that we’re not experts here. (They say in the assignment notes that they are not expecting “mastery.”)

The portrait was okay (but with a few problems), and the other painting (a guy with the sombrero, which I will not show here) had more problems, but apparently not bad enough to ask me to do it again.

I LOVE IT!!!

You know what was so great about their brief critiques? THEY TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG. This can be in short supply in many art classes elsewhere. They just won’t tell you anything.

Yes, there were problems with the paintings! I expected that, and wanted to hear what they had to say. Oh, I’m sure they’re not telling me every flaw, but whatever is appropriate for whatever level I’m at.

I get so sick of art classes where the teachers are too hesitant or timid to tell difficult truths. I’m not talking about teachers being needlessly cruel, but saying nothing and allowing the student to continue as they are, without useful advice to help them improve—that is cruel.

(I understand why some teachers might choose to be close-lipped; often because other students in the past have pitched such a fit that it doesn’t seem worth the bother anymore. What an indictment on the students who complain in such a way.)

Anyway, suffice it to say I’m very happy to get this advice and look forward to more.

03/30/2023 by Art Training & Education Painting 0

Figure drawing is mandatory every day now

I was so, so chagrined when I discovered how much my figure drawing had slumped over the past few years.

March 2023 figure sketch from photo reference. The feet and hands lack detail, the pose is stiff, and I feel the waist might be too short. I assume it’s not too horrific, but yeah. It is what it is.

One of the things I’m eternally grateful for is that I developed a “figure drawing habit” early on in life. As a young artist, figures were always a weakness of mine. (I liked portraits, couldn’t do figures to save my life and anatomy was B-O-R-I-N-G.) When I first got to college at age 18, I decided to tackle all of that and started taking Life Drawing (also known as figure drawing). It was tough adjusting to live models instead of copying photos at first. (That’s something you’re not told—the big difference between drawing from life vs. photos.) But gradually things got better and I started to like figure drawing.

When I switched to an art school, I loved figure drawing enough that I made sure to take every class available that had anything to do with drawing from models. I also took anatomy classes and loved them. It was wonderful.

Then after art school, I continued taking either community college classes or just finding weekly artist figure drawing groups. This I did for years, off and on. Definitely there were some “off” years, but since I’m “of a certain age” (cough cough), it’s still added up to a lot of years.

With the plague and everything, I haven’t done figure drawing in several years, and it SHOWS. Oh, how I struggled. Some of my recent drawings had parts I liked, but usually the legs were where everything fell apart. This is not permanent; I know with practice and getting “warmed up” the drawings will improve. But still, it was disappointing to say the least.

I know the drawing I posted at the top of the page is not terrible…but, compared to the fluid, gorgeous drawings I see at Watts, I feel ashamed. But, I’m posting this drawing to show the “baseline,” meaning where I’m coming from, my current “level.” Not starting from zero, but with lots of room for improvement. Things I don’t even think are wrong are probably wrong.

Another thing I’m very keen to learn is anatomy. I loved it in art school, but it wasn’t a very popular subject and wasn’t made available for very long. I was lucky to study it for two semesters (I think?). It’s been years since I’ve formally studied anatomy, so I think it’s well past time for a refresher course!

Another quick figure sketch. Probably finished in 5-8 minutes? This is messy, but less egregious than some of the others. I’m posting this to document my figure drawing level pre-Watts atelier.
03/30/2023 by Drawing Figure Drawing 0

I don’t know what I don’t know

This is the reason I started this blog, and the reason I’m taking more art studies. I don’t know what I don’t know. And I want to know.

Many of us can’t always see where our weakest areas are, where our skills are the most lacking. It’s normal; it’s common. Few are exempt from this. That’s why we go to school and get an education. To find out what we don’t know.

I am fairly certain of a few of my weakest areas, but in the back of my mind is the question, “Is there something else I can’t see in my artwork that needs to be fixed? Some art failing that I’m in denial about?” It’s happened before (though I was aware there was something missing), and no doubt it will happen again.

So, time to get a fresh set of eyes on my work and see what’s most in need of work.

And that’s why I’m here!

03/28/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing 0

“Pickout” Oil Painting Fundamentals, first assignment (portrait)

9×12″ burnt umber “pickout” portrait from the Watts Atelier oil painting course

Oh, I struggled with the drawing on this one. Front view poses are always the worst! I don’t typically do a preliminary drawing when I paint, because with opaque paint I can tweak things as I go along. But this is an exercise with just burnt umber and Gamsol. Basically, transparent. (You can see the pencil lines in some places.) I KNEW I’d get something lopsided (and I did) but drawing in pencil beforehand mitigated the worst of it.

I see all the problems with the painting, but at the same time, a lot was learned from this exercise. And we’re not done yet! We’re going to be doing plenty more burnt umber pickout, and I’m up for it. I integrated some burnt umber pickout in a recent painting (I try to do daily small paintings) and it sold immediately! So Watts Atelier is already starting to pay off!

I’m not a novice at oil painting, but experience has taught me that I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING and boy, has this course confirmed that! So much more to learn! So many more techniques to explore! And let’s not even get into the drawing courses at Watts. So much to unpack there as well.

03/28/2023 by Art Training & Education Painting Portraits 1

Starting with an atelier has confirmed to me…

…that drawing skill is not optional.

This post says it all. Why learn to draw when you can trace?

There are always going to be “tracing vs freehand drawing” debates, but for those who want to really “dive deep” (meaning, the way that Watts is teaching), avoiding lots of drawing practice is not going to be possible.

I’m gonna ramble

Edit: Because this is my anonymous blog, I’ll vent my spleen.

The BAR IS SET IN HELL right now, and most colleges and drawing classes teach (and settle for) the bare minimum when it comes to traditional art skills, like drawing, painting, color.

But with ateliers like Watts, there’s hope, because they’re raising the bar and we’re seeing what can and should be possible.

“Drawing Privilege”

I’m feeling my “drawing privilege” right now because Watts assumes you will be doing all your assignments freehand. And I can! Not incredible, but “okay.”*

I say “drawing privilege” because too many artists struggle mightily with freehand. I’ve had teachers just resign themselves to the fact that most of their students can’t handle freehand. (One teacher told everyone to just trace so he didn’t have the hassle of correcting all their drawings.) Too few of us can draw with even a modest level of competency.

There’s obviously plenty of room for improvement, but I’m relieved that I’m not starting from zero. Starting from zero (or almost zero) is too often the case, and I blame the art schools and colleges for this mostly.

Some of the other students at Watts scare the hell out of me, they’re so good. And the teachers! Some of them are so young, they’re basically embryos! It warms my heart.

*It may sound egotistical to say this, but because the BAR IS SET IN HELL, my skills have often been considered above average. To be called above average is wonderful, and I’m grateful. But when I get into an environment like Watts, what I’ve always known in my gut has proven to be true—”okay” but just that. So much room for improvement. I’m shocked and chagrined to discover how much improvement is needed. Truly humbling!

03/27/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing 1

First exercise, Drapery course

Following the “Diaper Fold” lecture.

This drawing is messy and I’m not using the recommended drawing method with the charcoal pencil, etc., but here it is. Since I’m just starting this blog I’m going to post every little thing! (As time passes, I doubt I’ll be as zealous.)

I enjoyed the first lesson of the Drapery Master Class with Erik Gist and learned a lot. This whole drapery thing is new to me…I knew I sucked at painting and drawing fabric, but was oblivious that such a course exists. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m all in!

03/27/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing 0

Quicksketch figure practice, week one exercises.

Without some artwork to show, this blog is just talk, talk talk!

So here is my practice art from the Quicksketch Figure Drawing course I’m taking from Watts Atelier.

Without some example art on this blog, it’s all just talk talk talk!

I’ve had some experience with figure drawing before, so I’m not starting from square one. Ages ago I had a teacher who was trying to introduce us to the Reilly method (a modified version of that is taught at Watts) and I don’t know why, but most of the students were confused. I don’t know if it was the teacher’s fault or not. (He was apparently a student of Frank Reilly back in the day!) I do remember bits and pieces of what he taught, but only a little bit of it “stuck.”

I’m so glad to have an opportunity to learn it “properly” this time, and so far I’m loving what I’m seeing. My drawing isn’t “there” yet. (I tend to make the legs too long—a stylization that many figure drawing classes encourage.) But it’s been great! I think I’m going to really benefit from this class!

03/26/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing Figure Drawing 0

Oh, my sweet summer child, your MFA doesn’t prove that you’re a good artist

“I speak with authority, I have an MFA!” says someone with low art skills EVERY DARN DAY. I mean they don’t say that word-for-word, but that’s the gist. They proudly mention their degree as “proof” of something, but that’s not how it works. The artist’s actual body of work proves their expertise better than anything else. Mentioning one’s degree shouldn’t even be necessary; the quality of work should be doing all the talking!

I’m in the not-so-unique position of having attended a fancy ooh-la-la art school, while not having a degree in art. In retrospect, it was an advantage, because I got to choose who I wanted as my teacher and what I wanted to study, and fortunately I didn’t waste my time on “fluff” classes, but stuck to the fundamentals.

“Your portfolio is your degree” said one teacher at the fancy school, when I asked him if it really was okay to just get the schooling without the degree. And he has proven to be right.

No one changes their mind and suddenly wants to buy an artist’s work as soon as they find out they have an MFA. If the quality of the work grabs them, they want it. If it sucks, an MFA isn’t going to suddenly make it less sucky.

That’s why ateliers are on the rise. Because the good ones teach you the skills that many of the ooh-la-la colleges won’t, and for a lot less money.

For further reference, please read Noah Bradley’s “Don’t Go to Art School!”

03/26/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing Painting Rambling 0
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