Look for the Light

In 1997, I remember hearing Linda Howe from Linda Howe's Studio, tell me she could teach anyone how to draw and paint as we began our art lesson program at A & A Music Academy. Since I could only draw "stick people," I didn't really believe her, but she assured me it was all about how a person looks at their subject. Linda graciously came onboard to help establish the art center drawing class program that we still use today.

Having her at the start made all the difference for me. I wanted to say drawing was possible for anyone. I began taking our class offering to learn to draw and paint. As with everyone in our program, I was given a piece of charcoal and a blank piece of paper and a subject to draw. A white rabbit sat alone on a shelf with a light shining on it. The teacher said, "look at where the light comes from and draw the shadows".

I had never really thought about viewing something that way, so it seemed a bit strange. Since I have always been a person to follow directions, I drew that first line, then another and another and quickly I could see the shape of the rabbit pop from the page. It wasn't perfect, but I kept looking for the shadows of the light.

Some shadows were very dark, so I darkened them on the paper. Lighter areas were blended with a Q-tip to soften them as the areas grew lighter. As my rabbit began to take shape, the encouragement I received was so helpful and before I knew it, I had a very cute rabbit in front of me!

When my schedule changed, I transitioned to working with another teacher I had hired. She handed me a photo of a polar bear and her cub in a snow cave. Since I had recently visited Alaska on a vacation, I was interested in the subject matter, so I started to look for the light and draw the shadows.

There was a lot more depth to this photo and nuances within the cave. Again, it was difficult to judge the subtle darks and lighter areas, but I kept working on it. After I finished it, I happened to see another photo in the newspaper of a mother polar bear and her cub, so I tried doing it solo!

The photo you see here is my rendition of that photo. In a matter of a month, I discovered that given the proper coaching, I too could learn to draw something that looked real! What an inspiration that was for me after a life of thinking I had no talent for drawing.

Drawing and painting has given me the chance to rediscover my own creativity. I've learned many new skills, and how to apply them. This is a hobby for sure, but a very satisfying one. After a long day of working, it has become a time of peaceful reflection and satisfaction in knowing that I can draw! So, as you read this, I hope to help you rethink your own possibilities when it comes to art and consider giving our class program a try. Consider taking a class in our 4-week trial program with our current excellent faculty.

— Anita Komorski