If everything fails.....follow instructions

While I will definitely do Joan of Arc in collage, I also want to develop my realistic drawing skills.
When I whinged to Deb it wasn't happening, she asked: " Are you measuring???"
I had to say "no" and I really wasn't doing any of the other things.
So yesterday I decided to allow myself the time to set up properly: floor easel, a masking tape line on the floor so I measure from the same distance. Object set up against a black cloth.
I am attempting to draw a simple narrow necked vase and I did it all: measure, draw guidelines, then do the curves, then finetune. Once I had one half I liked, to used the tracing paper technique we learned to create a fresh, symmetrical drawing.
Today I am going to put a light on the vase and start creating some form.

Re JoA: I bought different mediums and some small canvas panels to practice the collage technique on.

My art in general

Deb's new classes started last Tuesday and we're doing textures. I chose leather this week, she had a picture of a leather boot and I am having a go at that and then I may go back to my earlier "boots and hat" subject. I started the drawing at class and will work on it through the week.
I have stopped going to the Friday class, at present it doesn't seem to suit me. I have joined the newly formed Somerset Art Society. We're having an exhibition tomorrow to coincide with the Multicultural Festival and I've put in "The Chariot" and "Wheel of Fortune".
I didn't take a job. This is a bit unusual for me as I always enjoyed being part of making something happen. But right now I am enjoying my freedom of commitments just too much! Those who did take on jobs seem full of energy and enthusiasm which holds great promise. The ultimate goal is for Esk to have its own Art Gallery.

How did I get into art classes?

In June last year I started with art lessons. It happened in a weird way, although I have always wanted to be able to draw.What happened was that I won a prize with my wearable art. (see pictures) As well as some cash, I also won a $200 voucher towards the workshop of my choice at Artsfest Grafton.

What appealed to me was the workshop: "The Dynamic Pose", with Janis Lander. It required artists with some experience, I contacted her and she suggested that I do some basic drawing classes and learn a bit about anatomy prior to the workshop.

I started classes In Fernvale with Gina and also booked in for 10 sessions of life drawing classes in Toowoomba. Although I was totally out of my depth at the life drawing classes, I got a lot out of it, because the coordinator of the sessions was very helpful.

In the end, the Janis Lander workshop was cancelled because of lack of numbers, but by that time I was hooked. I did a class with Damian Kamholz, where I was also out of my depth, but then, I didn't have any depth, I was such a beginner. Again, I learned stuff there too.

Gina encouraged me to do some painting, but I didn't enjoy the acrylics. I didn't enjoy the mixing and the fact the paint dries so quickly and neither did I want to go to oils.

I did a pastel workshop and I liked it.

Earlier this year I started classes with Deb Gilmartin in Toowoomba. This was drawing for beginners and I loved it. She teaches classes in 6 week courses and they are fantastic! The classes are well planned and organised and I am learning such a lot!

I am also still going to Gina's classes, which are more relaxed and have a very social component, as Gina wants to establish an artists group in the region. The two classes are very different and I enjoy them both.

Oh...and if you like to see the full range of the Tarots I finished, go to http://www.hetty.mosaicglobe.com/