By Michelle Waldele-Dick, local art teacher in Bothell. As a part of Arts Umbrella, people can learn how to paint or even sculpture from Michelle.
If you have yet to take an art class, or many years have passed since you have taken one, it can be a little intimidating. The first thing a new student needs to know is that the visual arts are no different from music, drama, and dance. There are very basic skills that, if taught well, will give you the tools you need to draw, paint and sculpt. We would not ask a beginning pianist to play Mozart nor the beginning artist to produce a Rembrandt. Just like we practice our scales on the piano, a developing art student will practice the basic drawing, painting, and or sculpting skills introduced. Our first attempts will feel a little like the first jumbled notes of a song, clumsily pecked out on the keyboard. So if you don’t feel you were born a Da Vinci, have courage because even Leonardo had to start like we all do, putting down his first tentative lines.
Also, before you even get to class, I’d encourage you to play around with your new supplies, get a feel for the differences in the pencil leads and how the eraser functions. The supply list will vary with the instructor, but there’s always a standard list of supplies you’ll always need to get started. Here is a partial list of must haves for an art class:
- Sketch book, preferably 11”x14” in size
- 2H, HB, and 2B drawing pencils
- Kneaded eraser
- Pencil sharpener
For all of my beginning students, I recommend they create what I call an idea/inspiration book. Using a sketch book purchased at the art supply store, students begin collecting magazine clipping, images from the internet, and personal photos. Also look images of paintings or drawings by artists you admire and add these to your book. There is no rule to this, whatever strikes your fancy should be clipped and pasted. Make notes describing what attracted you to the picture. A couple of things will happen during this process. You will begin to see some continuity in your choices of subject matter, color palette, styles or technique. Having samples of artist’s work that you find inspiring will help your teacher get an idea of what direction to take you in terms of specific skills.
As a teacher of visual arts, I find the idea book is a great way for me to get to know you. By looking at your book together and discussing the images gathered there, I begin to know you a little and get a sense of what inspires you. For instance, for a drawing class, if the energetic line of a Toulouse Lautrec drawing is something you absolutely love, I can use that information to build a teaching plan for you. I might concentrate on expressive gesture drawing using charcoal, rather than draftsmen like representational drawing instruction. On the other hand, if MC Escher is your man we’ll need to spend time learning perspective and accurate drawing skills.
Now you’re ready to learn. Remember, time, patience and a willingness to learn is all you need.
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