Sketch Class Improves Skills

Ajo artist Jacqueline Andes started a weekly sketch class to help regain skills she felt she’d lost. 

“This drawing is a break-through for me. All the years of teaching and driving back and forth from Phoenix to Ajo, left no time for doing my own artwork.” says Jackie.

“After retirement in 2009, I struggled with getting back in the groove. That struggle was emotionally painful, frustrating, and depressing!

“Going to sketch class has helped build a bridge back. I think the struggle has added a new dimension to my work, and I’m excited to see where that leads.”

Artists at all levels are invited to join the weekly class. Check the Calendar for dates.

Join the Sketch Class

The Sketch Class, started a year ago by Jacqueline Andes, continues to offer weekly sessions for artists who want to hone their drawing skills using live models.

The class meets every Wednesday, from 3 to 5 pm in Room 2 at the Curley School Conference Center (in the Courtyard). Check the Calendar for dates.

Study by Jacqueline Andes

Study by Jacqueline Andes

April Challenge — Marlene Dixon

Yes, I know it’s May and I’m behind. (Blame it on the snow, cause there’s plenty of it where I am right now.)

Thanks to Marlene Dixon who submitted this pencil sketch as part of the “family” theme for the April challenge.

Lots of feathered critters are looking to nest near us — robins (who are shaking snow off their wings in our yard), Canada geese, mallards and assorted other waterfowl who are cruising the sloughs and ponds, and along the fence line bluebirds are checking out the wooden houses nailed to the posts.

Love this time of year. Thanks for capturing part of the excitement, Marlene!

 

We’ll launch the May theme tomorrow. 🙂

April Challenge — SeonaCherie Sande

SeonaCherie Sande sent this entry into the April Challenge. The theme is Family — and a baby certainly symbolizes that. 😉

Sketch Class This Wednesday

It’s time to sharpen your pencils again — this week’s sketch class is happening Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 5 in Room 3 in the Curley School Courtyard.

This drawing was done last week by SeonaChere.

Sketch Class Drawings

The weekly sketch class continues to meet and work on drawing techniques. Jackie Andes, who initiated the classes, says: “The class is two hours. The first 20 minutes the model changes the pose every minute. This is to “loosen up” the hand/eye coordination.

“Then there are two 15/20 minute poses, and the last pose is one hour. Most of the artists are using graphite, charcoal, or conte. This last session Marilyn used water color and Seona did a reverse drawing that looked like a black and white photo negative — interesting approach. Jackie worked in soft charcoal using a kneaded eraser to create highlights on the form. All of the models have been wonderful and showed great appreciation for everyone’s efforts.

“The class is open to everyone at any level in their art education. There is no teacher on hand, which sometimes makes a novice more relaxed. We do share one piece at the end of the session and offer personal reactions — all statements have been very supportive.

“Thus far, we have been able to pay the model and rental with at least one more rental fee on hand. Let’s keep this going. There have been discussions in the past over wanting to have a sketch class, well now we have one — and it needs the support of Ajo Artists.”

The next class is Wednesday January 15 at 3 pm.

Sketch Class Is A Hit

The idea for a sketch class is a hit with many Ajo artists. The group meets each Wednesday for 2 hours to hone their drawing skills using models.

The next gathering is this Wednesday. The group will take a break for the holidays and reconvene January 8th, same time, same place.

Jacqueline Andes completed this piece at the first class.

Ajo Sketch Class

It looks like sketch class is going to be a great success — it certainly was yesterday. Eight artists arrived ready to draw, paint and/or sketch! Seona brought a coffee maker and cookies, which settled us down into concentration and total silence.

Our model was a young lady from Buckeye, a first-time poser who did a great job! To an artist, we would like to have a nude model to work from. Two artists volunteered to find someone to pose for us next Wednesday. Yes, there is a sketch class scheduled for next Wed., Dec. 11th, from 3:00-5:00 pm, Room 3 of the old elementary section at Curley School.

We agreed as a group to pay a $5 fee for the two hours. The room rent is $10 and the model gets $10 per hour. Any money left over after those fees are paid goes into a kitty for future rental/model fees.

We do need items that would enhance the model’s pose, such as tables, drapery, spot lights, a lamp and a chair (other than a folding one). In fact, anything that would be good for composition.

As mentioned above we are always going to need a model, someone who would pose nude. So artists, please hunt down that him or her who would be willing. Right now we are going from week to week with someone volunteering to find a model. Donated goodies are always welcome.

Please spread the word about the sketch class and model needs and join us for two hours of blissful drawing.

Submitted by Jacqueline Andes

Going to Weather

Marlene Dixon has submitted the first colored pencil drawing to our virtual art gallery.

She writes: “The subject of weather brought to mind sailing our boat on San Francisco Bay. In this picture, we are “going to weather”, which means pointing into the wind on a rather windy day.”

 

Week 4: Pets

Not surprising that the Pets theme brought images of dogs and cats.

Marlene Dixon writes: “This picture looks like it is meant to be of my rocking chair, but the main focus is our cat, Suzie, who likes to sleep all day better than anything else! The rocking chair has been in my family longer than me — my Dad bought it at a garage sale for 25 cents when first married.”

Marilyn Jackson captured two dogs on her easel.

The theme for Week 5 is hands.