I have so many students who say, I can't_____ whatever - so I ask them -
Who's in band, athletics,wood shop,who skates, plays guitar, lifts weights,
etc...lots of hands of course...do you bench press XXX the first day? do you
have to know how to play the coronet when you sign up for band? do you have
to speak French or Spanish to take the class??? NOOOO!!!!! I tell my high
school students that art is the same way - and it takes practice practice
practice!! It seems to sink in when you compare it to their favorite
activity that they spend HOURS AND HOURS a week perfecting. I just do it with
art(do it artistically??) practice practice practice - I try to always have a
project of my own on the easel or shelf all year, that way they see me
struggling too - and I ask them questions about what I should do with this or
that part, and tell them specifically what I am not happy with in my work.
They have also seen me start completely over with a drawing of my daughter
from a photograph, because she looked 15, not 13 - good drawing, but not what
I wanted - that really got thru to some - artists never stop learning, I
think they see that in my classes. Thanks for all the great scratchboard
sites and info - THANKS!!! I think I can try the color now!!! Thanks again,
Deb W
