As an art professor I've used Betty Edwards book and didn't think she
was just about copying. I get distracted by all the "now you are
switching to your left brain" comments but she has many excellent
exercises and resources. I agree and I think Edwards would also that
drawing from actual life is important. The Edwards book is a classic
and needs to be read by all art teachers. I think there is an
updated version probably available on Amazon.
On 1/6/07, KPRS2 <kprs2@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> I agree wholeheartedly with Marvin. About 15 years ago my then principal was
> so excited because he heard of a highschool in our area where everyone
> cycled through 9 weeks of drawing in what was called a Drawing Lab.
> Apparently he saw a newspaper article where a student was standing next to
> her 'before' and 'after' drawing. He took me to see the 'lab'. What the
> teacher was doing was the Betty Edwards excercises (neatly put in folders so
> kids could work at their own speed), and everyone came out of the experience
> learning how to do copy work, by taking photos, and copying directly from
> them. I had to explain to my then principal that while I would love everyone
> to take my class, 9 weeks wasn't enough (I have semester classes), and I
> wouldn't be turning out human xerox machines, but kids that might find their
> inner artist and learn to express themselves, while learning principles and
> elements and techniques. Drawing from observation, I insisted was far more
> valuable, and would teach our students to slow down in life and be more
> observant, whether they ended up being artists or not. Fortunately for me, I
> made my point, and now an additional 3 art teachers later, our program has
> grown. When my students show me work that they think is not 'excellent' but
> I know they have moved from point A to point B in learning, I ask them this
> simple question: How many paintings (if it is a painting for example) have
> YOU done in your life? They need to know through our guidance that art is a
> continually learning experience, and "product" is not the end all and be all
> of the experience. Sure we would all love to have great paintings to hang up
> in the halls, and in the art show at the end of the year, but I am more
> interested in having my students say "I get it, and I can't wait to do my
> next painting, drawing, etc".
>
> San D
>
>
>
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