First lesson in drawing

By Mehrnaz Hofferth

When one thinks about drawing, most often one thinks about an object or a person, or demonstrating something in an arrangement of objects or persons. I want to make the first lesson in drawing to be different and still stay the same. I’d like to guide you to other aspects of drawing which I consider to be as important and elemental to the art.

Suppose you want to draw something but not an object or a person. Instead, draw a concept like kindness. Would you think about showing kindness in what you draw or in the title you choose for your work? However, I don’t want you to demonstrate it in something that is tangible. How would you approach that? Will you think about the surface on which to draw? Whether it is colored or white or dark, textured or soft? Will it be paper or fabric or something else like metal? What would you put on that surface? Would it be a color in graphite or ink? what texture or consistency? Do you think your creativity should have a financial cost? Would you have your tools purchased or could you draw with a schrapp piece of wood dipped into blueberry juice? Do you like your drawing to be recognized or be anonymous? Would you want to display your drawing or would you preserve it for yourself in a portfolio? Are you interested in showing it to a particular person or persons? Would you display it in your own home , on a wall or on a refrigrator, or to the public? Do you prefer a formal presentation of your art? When displayed, would it have a frame? Will you modify your art to preserve it? Would you put a fixture on it or would you put it under glass?

My suggestion is that you must set your intentions before any of the above. Is it kindness?

End of first lesson.