I came to the Drawing Laboratory as a complete beginner. Now I am able to sketch and detail animals and plants with confidence, and to learn from my mistakes.

Circles, Ovals and Irregular Shapes:

From Beginner To Basics - image 1 - student project

Measuring and Proportion:

From Beginner To Basics - image 2 - student project

Simplifying Shapes and Using Enveloping:

From Beginner To Basics - image 3 - student project

Demo One - Cardinal Bird

From Beginner To Basics - image 7 - student project

Demo Two - Botantical

From Beginner To Basics - image 10 - student project

From Beginner To Basics - image 11 - student project

Self Chosen 1 - Parrot on Branch

I chose to draw a parrot as they simplify well into basic shapes but have a variety of textures, from a hard, rounded beak to long, smooth wing feathers to their short, ruffled body feathers. While drawing, it also struck me how featureful the parrot’s face could be and I might experiment with this in some close-up studies and watercolor paintings.

From Beginner To Basics - image 12 - student project

From Beginner To Basics - image 13 - student project

Self Chosen 2 - Sea Lion on Rock

I chose this subject as I wanted to explore the round shapes of the sea lion set against the hard rock. I worked specifically on harmonious mark-making) to contour the sea-lions body) and on its magnificent whiskers.

From Beginner To Basics - image 14 - student project

Self Chosen 3 - Barn Owl in Flight

Owls never cease to fascinate me, both because of how their immense bodies glide silently through the air and how human their probing gaze can be as they glide past you. It was also a good opportunity to practice the block-in.

I was inspired to draw this owl after seeing Brent working on one in the introduction to the course. He made it look easy…I learned a lot.

From Beginner To Basics - image 15 - student project

From Beginner To Basics - image 16 - student project

Tom Morgan

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