Art lessons : week 2

I went to Cass and stocked up on paint and canvas. They have some *really* good half-price deals. I got a box of 36 acrylic paints and dumbass me, I forgot to get paintbrushes. Of course they have them in art college but I really should practice outside of the classroom.

So, today, I was painting my sea urchin and vase, on a green cloth. Ho hum. Not happy with my first effort at all. With the tutor being as crap as he is, I didn’t learn anything today – except that next time, I should try painting from my drawing rather than from the objects themselves.

I wish I could paint like Monet (Art lessons : week 1)

I’ve just started an art course today. I picked up the college brochure and the only beginner’s course I could find was for life art, drawing nudes. I panicked. Then I found a beginner’s drawing and painting class. That’s the one.

I’m embarrassed to say, my ability to draw is crap. The tutor told us to pick anything from the cupboard in the art room. I picked a stripey seashell, a vase, and blue/white fabric. Talk about making it hard for myself. We started off drawing our still lifes with charcoal. Four bleeding times. Then we were told to draw it yet again, but this time, on a large A3 sheet. All that white paper is so frightening, I hardly knew where to start.

I really struggled but I could see each drawing was an improvement on the next. I haven’t used charcoal since school, and learned again how to use it to different effects. It was fun and relaxing. For next week, I have to get paints and canvas, for we’re painting!

It looks easy but believe me, it isn’t. Fingers crossed, I will get better at this. Here are my first attempts to draw – a sea urchin and vase (see – I even had to tell you what they are!)

Attempt number 1 :

Attempt number 5 (and losing the will to live) :