two hundred fifty-eight

 NC artist Mark Stephenson visited the Randolph Arts Guild recently to share his passion for drawing from life.  He will lead a life drawing class at the guild for the next couple of weeks.  The lecture served as a hands-on introduction for the community to see what it's all about.

The lecture attendees assembled with charcoal & paper in hand to sketch & listen as Mark gave an overview on the various "ways to see".  What I enjoyed most was his often uttered phrase -- "we're not drawing a portrait".

Obviously there is a model in the room  and we were all drawing her.  But his point was clear to me -- people tend to get tight real quick and feel they HAVE to capture the likeness.  Not true in this upcoming class.

Mark's method for his upcoming instruction will be process.  Students will try their hand at various mark making approaches as they focus on interpreting form.  Shape.  And contrast. 

-- so refreshing to be in a room with people using the camera in their eyes, the processor in their brains, and the ability with their hands.

<-- Here's my doodle during the class.