Are artists born?

[piskieinboots]

or can they be taught to draw!

I've just started a Garden Design course and I'm sure you would think me nutty (no really!) to even consider this when I can't draw. So, I asked the college and they said 'no worries, it's not full-on art, it is more technical drawing'.

Excellent thinks I, so off I trot with me dosh in hand and sign up.

First assignment:
Keep a sketch pad with you at all times as you will have to send this in for marking.

Now blonde I may be, but that is - to me - drawing is it not!!

THEN - assignment four:
working with watercolours

So no drawing skills needed then

Is there an artist in the house - and not one that relates to alcohol as I am already time-served and qualified in that one

[zazen999]

Hiya

We had to keep a sketchbook with us at all times for photography; needless to say it is impossible to take photos and carry a sketchbook and a beret; so I used to make notes on sticky avery labels [and any bits of paper available] and stick them in my sketchbook when I could.

I think as well, the watercolours don't have to be accurate; just indicative. So, sketch out stuff and fill in [architect-style] with light watercolours.

In my year at college; the gal who sat next to me got in the top 10 in the country for her A level; mainly due to the sketchbook quailty*. Everything went in. They like it as it shows development of ideas; so don't rub it out, cross it out and redraw the next idea on the next page Hers really was a masterpiece; I don't work like that so found it difficult to keep it in mind.



*She was and is a cracking photographer as well; but then so were several of my associates on the course.

[bobleponge]

I truly believe artists are born and not made, whereas my ex FiL who was an art teacher disagreed totally.
I struggle to draw a straight line with a ruler, even after instruction, whereas he would pop off into his studio and return a few hours later with a landscape that was just brilliant.
Good luck Mrs, if I'd seen that lot the towel would already have been chucked in.

[piskieinboots]

We had to keep a sketchbook with us at all times for photography;

ah so if I understand you correctly, the sketch book isn't just about drawing Lowryesq (in my case) style flowers/plants etc?

[piskieinboots]

I truly believe artists are born and not made, .....Good luck Mrs, if I'd seen that lot the towel would already have been chucked in.

I hope you're wrong and thanks

[Brengirl]

I really think I know where you are coming from Piskie. About 2 months ago I enrolled at an art class. I had always felt that inside me there was a talent to be discovered. I attended the first class full of optimism. I left utterly deflated. I sat with charcoal in hand and waited for the masterpiece to appear. It didn't! I attended the second class and watched enviously as the others made likenesses of the 'copy' onto their parchment. I gave up and never went again. The £50. it cost me was money well spent as I have learned that artists are born not made.
For me it was like beating my head against a brick wall and I was not prepared to pay for the privilege.

[piskieinboots]

... I gave up and never went again..

nooo
*hides prices from SD!

This is a couple of examples of what I will need to produce

[zazen999]

ah so if I understand you correctly, the sketch book isn't just about drawing Lowryesq (in my case) style flowers/plants etc?

No, it's about recording your ideas

They like to see flow and ideas develop.


Oh, and links to other references and where you are getting ideas from that you refine and make your own.

Looking at the pics you posted, you need a pair of compasses or a circle stencil....make life easy for yourself....http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?im...FuiI4gaLuNXpAw

[Nicos]

Urm- the garden designs I've seen seem to have lots of squiggly line ( bushes) and more squiggly lines ( trees)and even more squiggly lines ( walls) bare areas in between( lawn). Each area washed with a different shade of green/red/orange etc etc to show a sort of colour scheme to the area

I reckon if you're good at squiggly lines you'll be fine Piskie!!!!

[SarzWix]

I think you'll be fine Piskie - garden design isn't an art class The sketches etc aren't going to be detailed landscapes I don't think, more a cross between colour swatches and technical drawings. If you keep your back issues of GW mag, have a look through them - there's a series somewhere by Joe Swift which shows some of his designs, should give you an idea?

[piskieinboots]

No, it's about recording your ideas

yaay I can do that

...you need a pair of compasses or a circle stencil....make life easy for yourself....

Himself has bought me tons of 'stuff' that I have no idea how to use it (yet!), set squares, something like orange licorice which has lead in it, a biiiiiiigg drawing board and all sorts Lovely boy

I look like the posh kid all ready to start school but no idea where the school is - hehe

[Nicos]

See....squiggly lines......

[Nicos]

..and a more simple one...

[piskieinboots]

See....squiggly lines......

hum, not totally convinced they is just squiggly lines but I love your support

[FionaH]

Well I am currently attending an art class. Having not drawn or painted since I left school, many moons ago, things are definitely improving. They are only improving because I practice. So my guess is that although natural talent would be lovely, anything can be improved upon with good guidance and lots of practice

Once a week or so I get together with a bunch of arty friends, all much better than me. We paint draw laugh and drink coffee, its fun and inspiring


PS I can now do penguins