Drawing Half

I was looking through a box of old school papers my mom saved as I was growing up. Seems like most of the papers in the box are from different art classes, ranging from Kindergarten all the way through high school. And, to my surprise, most had an "A" on them. I guess I was a pretty good art student. (Another clue to my creative genealogy.)

Something I found that is pretty cool is a couple of projects I had in high school. We needed to find a photo of a male or female face in a magazine - one where they were looking square into the camera so their whole face was shown. Then we cut the photo right down the middle, vertically, pasted one half on a piece of drawing paper - THEN, draw the other half. As I looked at my assignments, I recalled the fear that came over me when this was assigned by my art teacher two decades ago. But, when I looked at the finished work, I have to admit, they look pretty good! (if I had a scanner, I'd scan and post them.)

I began to think that this is a pretty smart way to get ya drawing the technicality of faces! So, I'm going to try this now, as an adult. Or I may try a "still life" from one of my cooking magazines. I'll take the same principle, find a nice photo of a yummy meal, cut it in half and glue one half on a piece of drawing paper. Then draw the other half. Paying attention to light sources, scale, shadows, proportions, etc. This helps with the fear of drawing from "scratch." Why begin there if you don't have to?

I hope you try this fun idea and who knows, maybe you'll find you'd deserve an "A" as well.

Grace, Peace & FUN on the creative adventure ~ deAnn

(c) 2008 by deAnn Roe of Vertical Creativity. Can be used with permission by contacting deAnn.