A few weeks ago I decided to give it a try and went along to my very first lesson.
I got a few things together, drawing paper, willow sticks (charcoal) and lead pencil in hand.
When I got to the class I didn't even know where to start!
By the way, this was a Life Drawing class and for anyone who thinks that they would not be able to look at a nude model, I can tell you first hand that you are so busy trying to work out how to draw arms, legs and body shapes that you aren't really thinking about a person being in front of you let alone a naked person.
It was time to put pencil to paper but I had no idea where to even place my pencil so I walked around the room and watched the other artists drawing. OK, now I had a starting point in mind.
Back to my easel, pencil on paper and I started to draw. I wasn't very good but I did surprise myself because for my first lesson I wasn't as bad as I thought I would be.
On week two I felt more confident and felt like I had a bit more of an understanding of what I was supposed to do. I watched a few quick videos on youtube which helped a lot!
The drawing classes are now on a Christmas break so it will be about 2 months before I get back there. That gives me two months of practice time at home!
This weekend just passed I wanted to draw so I got out a book which has a John Lennon portrait and attemtped to draw it.
I am enjoying drawing very much. It is something that I think I will continue with.
I find it very therapeutic and calming and it is very easy to get lost in drawing that you don't realise how much time has passed since you started. It is a nice relaxing way to spend a few hours.