Arlington, VA Drawing Lessons

I like to take pride in making my students feel secure and knowing and seeing the improvement they make within each session. I will be handing out a materials list prior to our lessons. Most students see a huge leap in drawing within the the first lesson! Class starts out usually with me giving a 1 hour demonstration on what I expect them to do as I cover and explain my entire process and thought and calculations that goes into drawing and painting. For the rest of the class I will be besides the student as they work giving them one on one pointers and as much help and explanation as they need in order to improve. Students start out with learning how to look and draw what they observe accurately by first working on simple geometric shapes such as spheres, cubes. We then will move on to Cast studies and after a few months of studying we will start on figures and portraits.

My students can expect to learn how to draw portraits, landscapes, and still life compositions to develop their drawing skills using drawing tools such as a viewfinder, grid, photos, and still life items. The drawing techniques will consist of light and shadow, gesture drawing, negative and positive space. For in home art lessons, all art supplies are included in the price.

I am a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) majoring in visual artists and continued my studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In my spare time, I've taught for the last 15 years. I've tutored actual BSA students. I love drawing. I love teaching art. It is an expression of an individual's personal journey.

The most fabulous thing about being an artist is that boundaries regarding creativity are non-existent. The artist is always in a state of learning. Art is a progressive practice that takes time to develop.

Materials are not included.

Drawing lessons will be assessed based on the individual's current abilities and their goals.

In my classes I emphasize two things: creating a new way of seeing, and practicing accuracy in what you see. We move through exercises that develop creativity and work through the fundamental technical components of making a drawing or a painting. Each class builds upon the tools we've developed from the last so students come away with a comprehensive understanding of art making, rather than a step-by-step formula. We work together to not only increase technical proficiency and achieve specific goals, but to develop the confidence to make art anywhere the mood strikes, whether it be painting at your kitchen table or sketching in a coffee shop or a hotel balcony.

Drawing is like writing, each one of use is unique with a personal style. My 17 years of professional art instruction will allow you to find or further your style. A solid understanding of the fundamentals in value, color, perspective and "seeing" are intertwined with creativity in an easy to follow manner. I hold a Bachelors in Studio Art and a Masters of Art Education with a drawing emphasis.

I’ve been teaching for a year and welcome students of all levels! My lessons are all about training your eye and mastering the foundational elements of art so you can draw anything from life our you imagine. I bring lots of practical techniques and old school methods introduced in a modern way that takes into account the interest of my students and keeps the learning fresh and fun.

At all of my lessons I introduce the works of an established modern or classical artist that either exemplifies the lesson of the day or is someone whose work or life story I think my student might find interesting. We don’t just learn how to draw or paint but also learn how to talk about art and make it more a part of your everyday life.

Based upon a strict but fun adherence to keeping a sketchbook and a journal drawing gets improved. We start out with what makes a drawing for beginners and move through tones and values for intermediates by sticking to my formula for success. this includes using a sketchbook with assigned black and white photos every two weeks with grey scales entered.

My methods combine classical and modern art techniques in a fun, interesting and friendly way. Take a look at my portfolio images to see examples of my work in acrylic, oil, charcoal, graphite pencil and watercolor!