Welcome to the August issue of Drawing Matters. In this month's newsletter you will find:

  • Details of the 5-day Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain course, devised by Betty Edwards. This includes links for viewing a slideshow of participants' work and reading course feedback.

  • Drawing Coach: Filling Your Sketchbook

  • What's New brings your attention the latest areas of the website.

  • The Big Draw 2008 will take place through the end of September and October 2008 with drawing events all around the UK for all ages. Find out more and mark some dates in your diary now.

If your computer only allows you to view a text only version of this newsletter you can see the colour version with images here

I hope you will find Drawing Matters interesting and I'd love to hear any comments or suggestions from you. Please feel free to forward it to anyone who you think might be interested. There is a link at the bottom of the page where they can subscribe.
You can contact me here

Anna Black
Certified Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain instructor, operating under license from Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (www.drawright.com)



Course Dates

If you've always wanted to learn to draw, Dr. Betty Edwards' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is a proven technique for teaching drawing - particularly to those people who swear they could never be taught to draw!

If you want to learn the five basic skills needed for realistic drawing you can do it in a five-day intensive course devised by Betty Edwards. Although all the UK courses for 2008 are now full you can find out about courses in the United States by following the link at the bottom of the page.



All the 5-day courses being held in London in 2008 are now fully booked. However, please contact me to be placed on the mailing list so you hear about new dates as soon as they are announced.



View a slideshow of student drawings and class photos
If you are interested in booking for next year but you are still sceptical that you will really learn the basic skills of drawing in just five days, why don't you view a slideshow showing some drawings done by participants on the course here (a new window will open)




Read participants' feedback on the course


"It has provided me with insights about myself which have greatly benefited me and go far beyond what might be expected of a drawing course"

You can also read some participant feedback and a more indepth account of one participant's experience here (a new window will open)

To find out more about how the course is structured and what you will learn, click here

For further information and a booking form, click here


Read what the media and other people have thought of Betty Edwards' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain course here ( a new window will open)




DRAWING COACH: CHOOSING A SKETCHBOOK

You can't do sketches enough. Sketch everything and keep your curiosity fresh."
John Singer Sargent


  • Overwhelmed by all that white space in a new, clean sketchbook? Start in the middle, doodle on the front page, lay a coloured wash over the pages… If your sketchbook feels ‘used’ and ‘friendly’ you are more likely to use it
  • Using a biro, which is a throwaway object, for quick drawing can release you from the need for it to be the perfect drawing
  • Draw what’s in front of you – your cup of coffee, your sandwich – draw the man reading the newspaper or the girl slouched at the bus stop…. If the bus comes so what, draw the next person in the queue
  • Draw anything you see – however mundane…Nothing is boring once you pay attention to it
  • Give your sketchbook a theme (Henry Moore drew the sheep outside his window…) If you are drawing an animal don’t worry if it moves. A sequence of drawings of an animal can often suggest great movement and vitality even if they are ‘unfinished’ in the usual sense of the word
  • Experiment with different perspectives – go up high and look down on a scene or perhaps draw a skyline or sit on the floor and look up to draw. Changing viewpoints can be challenging but creates interesting and varied compositions
  • Draw a detail of a tree or some object – use your two hands to create an open ‘frame’ to zoom in and create your composition. Surprise the viewer by presenting a different view of the object to the expected
  • Remember - if you want to add water-based colour to a drawing later make sure you are using waterproof ink and then you can add a watercolour wash later. Otherwise you’ll spoil your drawing


Don’t forget to put your name and telephone number or email in the front so if you lose it hopefully some kind soul can return it to you.

If you want to view sketchbooks by a wide range of artists through the ages, have a look at this website Artists' Sketchbooks. This site can be found by visiting Drawing Resources here


WHAT'S ON THE WEBSITE?

  • Drawing Resources Be inspired and informed by visiting this page to view external websites showing work by artists from the Renaissance to the present day


  • Slideshow View participant drawings and class photos


  • Course Feedback Read course feedback from recent Betty Edwards' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain courses taught by certified instructor, Anna Black


Visit these pages through the main navigation bar at Learn to Draw Right here


THE BIG DRAW 2008

The Big Draw is the Campaign for Drawing’s flagship, with some 1300 drawing events across the UK each October - although some events start in September.
Check out the Big Draw website by clicking on the Big Draw logo on the left, to find out what events are happening near you. Many of these events are free with materials provided and are suitable for all different ages.

This month-long season celebrates creativity and encourages experiment and enjoyment uniting people of all ages, abilities and cultures. It shows how pencil, pen, chalk or the computer mouse can inspire observation, imagination and invention. Drawing connects us with our environment and helps us to see, think and communicate.

pre-booking is required for some of the masterclasses and other events so don't leave it until the last minute otherwise you'll be disappointed!

Events take place around the UK but here are some details for LONDON EVENTS

There are many different events taking place in London and these can all be found on the Big Draw website.

One of these will be held by the East Wing Collection VIII, at
THE COURTAULD INSTITUTE OF ART who will be celebrating The Big Draw with a number of fun-filled drop-in workshops on Saturday 11 th October 2008 (10am-5pm) All events and materials are free of charge. The workshops are aimed at all ages and include:

  • Danica Maier will be working to create an exciting large-scale collaborative anamorphic scene
  • Rebecca Birch will be making a marvellous moving-map of all the sights visitors saw on their journey to The Courtauld
  • Edward Collet will be exploring figure drawing in movement and rest
  • Austin Cole will be speaking informally about why he took to using traditional techniques and their relevance today.
  • Caricaturists will be working to demonstrate their skills and provide you with a fun memento of the day.

More information here

Other events will take place at:

At WELLCOME COLLECTION 26-28 September and UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON 27 September. (Nearest tube: Euston, Euston Square, Warren Street)
DRAWING ON LIFE … A unique free interactive festival celebrating drawing and life, with leading artists and scientists, in a packed programme of events and activities exploring what it means to be human. Find out more at about the Wellcome and UCL events here



Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain USA

To find out about Betty Edwards' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain courses run by Brian Bomeisler in the USA visit www.drawright.com


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www.learn-to-draw-right.com
Anna Black
London

Contact Anna here