Student Journal pages

Student pages

Process

Here a student took the form of the bird feeder, and simplified it to more basic forms, giving it a Japanese print look. Watercolor by Jeannie Tillman

Students get the chance to make quick 15 second sketches so that they don't worry about too many details. This gets them ready to sketch things in the real world that don't stay still! Watercolors by Betsy Fullagar.

Images that are quickly sketched, can be enhanced rather quickly with a watercolor kit, which doesn't have to be a major production: a small kit of pan watercolors, a film canister of water, a brush and a pen, and with a journal, you have yourself your own portable art studio!

Watercolor by Heidi Black.

The plexiglass is then brought to the drawing table, and with white paper behind it, the student transfers the image onto watercolor paper with either a pencil or (if they are brave!) with pen. No magic, just using the hand and eye to recreate the image. We suggest that they turn the image upside-down if they get confused, because this rids the mind of what the image is "supposed to be," and instead is just a transfer of line.

Simple objects are a good place to start for people who really think they can't draw -- this proves that with a little patience, and real "seeing" students really can draw! Watercolor by Alex Berg.

The final image is then painted with watercolors. The student adds their own commentary on the image, writing about their experience, the day, the weather... whatever moves them. Drawings by Linda Smith.