It's been a long time...

[Cindy Procious]

Originally Posted by Terri Ficenec

Hi Cindy-- great work! I especially like how you handled the hair and the mouth.

I'm curious how the class was run. . . were there class critiques of the works in progress, or was each on your own?

Thank you, my dear.

Well. Hmmm. How the class was run? (Is this thread public?)

It was run fairly badly, in my opinion. We had to set up the room every week when we arrived, because the people who were paid to do it were always late. We had to break down tables, put up all the easels, the model stand, the lights, the backdrop, etc.

I really liked the woman who taught the class, as a person. She's incredibly sweet and personable. But, as a teacher, she left a bit to be desired. And, since I was the most "accomplished" student in the class, I was given short shrift when it came to personal attention.

There were no critiques, not even a group critique at the end. Instead, we watched a slide show of the teacher's Plein Aire classes in France. I guess she was hoping we'd all sign up.

The one thing I learned from the class was to slow down, and make deliberate choices. Then check and re-check, and fix what's wrong. Always assess your work at the beginning of each session, and address the most obvious problem first. Sounds so basic, so obvious, when I read what I just wrote, but that's it.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Cindy, from your comments, I see that you came away with much not just a well done drawing. I have seen a many a art students, dare not retrace their steps, in order to fix and learn from their mistakes, for the fear of not having enough time to finish and get a likable end result. We miss so much by hurrying through the process to get a likeness. I still catch my self making these same mistakes. Like you say check and re-check each step and the result will come. Good for you!

I love those charcoals! I purchased mine in Italy some time ago, three boxes B, HB & H for 130 Eur. Thanks for the link, I need to get some soon.

[Marina Dieul]

Nice job Cindy !
You certainly learned a lot from this class!
I too wanted to find an open studio during day time, and finally found one from 6:30 Pm to 9:30 PM. I was afraid to be too tired and not able to concentrate, but finally I' m always surprised when they say it's finished! I think I could paint some few more hours! The day after, I' m tired, but I'm completely addict. ( Well, we will see next winter if I'm enough addict to walk in the snow to go there...) The nice thing with open studio is that you decide your own goals ...

[Cindy Procious]

Mischa - thanks. By the way - I purchased my charcoal at a local art supply, and didn't need to know one iota of french in order to buy them. LOL

Marina - my difficulty does not lie in staying awake at night, but rather that I would not want to overly burden my husband (who is stepfather to my 3 children) with the babysitting/school night bedtime routine. But, maybe it'd be good for them, too, eh?

Thanks for your nice comments.

[Chris Saper]

Dear Cindy,

You have done such a great job - so sensitive. Brava!

[Cindy Procious]

Grazie, Chris!

[William Whitaker]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us Cindy. As I'm sure you know, this kind of work pays big dividends when it comes to personal improvement, personal artistic growth. I daresay you will find that drawing experiences like this help both your drawing and your painting. All of us need to slow down and pay more attention when we draw and never stop practicing basics.

Years ago, when I couldn't afford to hire models, I found people would sit for me if I gave them the finished drawing. Occasionally I was humiliated when the sitter declined the finished work.

I still can't get some people to sit for me in exchange for the drawing, but at least I can afford to pay models now.

Thanks again for sharing and posting. It was refreshing, informative and inspiring. I hope you share more wtih the rest of us.

Bill

[Cindy Procious]

Thanks, Bill, for your kind words.

I have definitely been inspired to go to open studio whenver I can. Certainly my family can get along without me for a couple of hours!

[Donna Johnson]

Hi Cindy,

The portrait is so soft and lovely. I really admire your charcoal work.

Donna