Improvement

I took a drawing class from a local artist, Mike Schad, in January of this year. He's a wonderful, kind and honest teacher, and of course a great artist. Inspired by the first day of class, I went home and created my first charcoal portrait.



I liked it but after some of my more recent portraits, I was liking it less... So I created a new one:


Here's the original photo I worked from:


It was fun to do the same picture over again, let me see what I've been thinking over the last few weeks - I've improved..... I've been practicing obsessively, learning something new with each portrait.. Learning more about myself and my style with each piece I attempt.

I've learned that portraits are my love, my best thing. I'll work twice as hard getting a tree right as a face and ultimately I'm always happier with how the face looks.

I've learned that while it's good to stretch and learn new things there's a lot to be said for staying on home base and getting really good at what you instinctively love.

I've learned to keep the lines light, to let air into my drawing.

I've learned to see but, not force.

I'm learning I hope to go with the flow let it work or not. Stop fighting up hill because what you end up with is just forced anyway. Go with what you love.

If I can manage to hang on to these lessons, I can't wait to see what I learn in the next six months.

Love,
Heidi