There is nothing wrong with doodling cartoons, or using symbolic figures to represent reality, but being able to draw things so that they look and feel ‘right’ is really satisfying. It’s not actually that hard to learn either. It just takes a drastic adjustment to the way we see the world, and then everything changes. I think it’s a shame that the majority of people say that they wish they could draw but were never any good at it. Or that they loved it at school but have not drawn since. |
We laugh at their funny drawings though, and we say ‘well what’s this meant to be?’ The urge to draw and make marks is something we are all born with, so all children do it. It’s an innate method of self-expression along with speaking, walking, singing and dancing. It’s what makes us human. We want to express ourselves but also to ‘fit in’ and be part of the society we are born into. Laughing at their pictures is enough to put some children off drawing forever. I think it’s strange that people seem to think that drawing is a gift you either have or haven’t got. No one would expect to compose a symphony without knowledge of music and the instruments involved. Or write a novel without starting with the alphabet, rules of grammar, language etc. Why should we expect to draw or paint any better than we did as children without learning some basic skills? |
Classes Update We are still making the most of the A/C every Tuesday morning at Le Meridien - must take a photo there next week!
And -surprisingly - we are STILL meeting at Villa Bologna to paint outside in the gardens! Even though we are in the midst of a heatwave (this is not funny in Malta, temperatures are around 38 C) the trees have kept us cool and calm every week so far !