Here is the outline drawing of the Noosa Hotel. It is the final project for Unit 5 -Perspective.
I learned alot about perspective during the past few weeks as I struggled to keep all my lines straight. I especially learned that perspective isn't as scary as I thought! It's actually quite useful to know the rules of perspective when drawing from your imagination.

Hi -

I am attaching my original self portrait, the one I did the first week of Draw in your Pyjamas, and my final self portrait that I completed at the end of Portraiture in your Pyjamas.

This was a great confidence builder for me, because I struggled, but I kept at it, and I am happy with the results.

- Irene

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Hi Irene, You've done a fantastic job! Congratulations on sticking with it even though you , as mentioned, struggled! Goes to show what determination will do! Keep it up!

Irene - this looks fantastic! I total relate to the stuggle, believe me. I actually stomped off in a huff a number of times while I was doing mine, and came close to just throwing it out.

Here's my final perspective drawing of the hotel in Noosa, Queensland. Also I have included the my shaded version of the hotel. Perspective was/is challenging for me but it's one of those skills that needs to be mastered. Wanted to share this with all of you.

Barb

Hi everyone,
Here's my shoe project. I never thought I would enjoy drawing an old shoe but I loved this project. I loved learning to do the textures.

BrendaClick to view attachment

Beautiful, Brenda!

Beautiful work Brenda! You achieved a lovely dark tone and your stitching and laces are wonderful!

All of these drawings and paintings in this thread are wonderful! I'm starting my shoe tonight...I keep looking at these examples and thinking to myself "huh, I'm really going to do that--go figure!" So cool because when I started Cindy's class just a couple of months ago, I was still very much convinced that I couldn't draw!

These are the projects I've done so far, and I'll be adding my shoe to this thread in a couple of weeks!

Amy, your drawings are really beautiful! It's so encouraging to see what can be achieved in such a short time. Hopefully my shoe will also be up here in the not too distant future. Thanks again for your words of encouragement. I'm now enrolled in Cindy's full certificate course and am so excited because I know I will continue to learn so much from her. It's amazing what can be achieved with a great teacher and a commitment to keep showing up at the table! Keep up the great work!

Great work Linda - your perseverence certainly paid off! You must be so pleased with your shoe. I'm just starting on mine, so it's great to see the work of those who have gone before me. Look forward to seeing more of your artworks.

WOW!!!! Your drawings are so impressive, Barb. It looks like a very challenging project, which you have handled brilliantly. Thanks for being such an inspiration.

Hi Barb, you've done a fabulous job on the hotel! I haven't shaded mine as we have a brand new grand daughter and so we are in Lethbridge helping out! She is adorable! This is the first baby for our youngest son and daughter in law, so they are quite surprised how little sleep they are getting! I am thoroughly enjoying taking the early morning shift while they enjoy a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep!
Cheers

Tannis

Hi friends.
These are some of my jobs made for Cindy's courses.
Hope this too could inspire those new to this fantastic experience who doubt they can really learn to draw.

DanClick to view attachment

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Hi everyone It feels so good to be able to post something here myself after being so inspired by all of your artworks. Here is my shoe - and what an incredible journey it provided for me! The result is so much better than I could ever have imagined myself being able to achieve 10 weeks ago. I just love this place!

Dan excellent work, Please be sure to show us your portrait when you finish! If I remember correctly, portraiture is something you aspire to?

Metta your shoe is fabulous! I think the final project Cindy chooses for us in each of the units really showcase the skills we've learned. I am always in awe of how everybody's project is the same, but different! One can't help but be proud with the results!

Hi Godlynx that painting is awesome. I'm just about to do the same painting this week. Wish me luck. I hope it turns out as good as yours, beautiful work, was it hard? Ral

Hi Metta that is really beautiful. Well done, Ral

Barbz that is truly awesome work I hope that goes on your wall. I haven't shaded mine yet but I can see it is well worth it. How long did it take you? Ral

All of you are doing such beautiful work!
Congratulations on doing so well in class!

Click to view attachmentI have much to learn but with Cindy's help I can see that my work is improving. When I get frustrated Cindy reminds me to relax and enjoy myself. She has a wonderful gift and I count myself fortunate to be one of her students! Here are a couple of my drawings -- hopefully I will look back someday and be amazed by my progress!

Darla J, I think that you can look at your drawings now, not later, and be amazed. Look at how much you have improved from your original week 1 pic that you drew. You have gained a very good likeness! Be proud! I also think that you did an awesome job with Isha and the shoe. Well done!

I am considering taking these courses. They all seem to have great results, but they're all from photos... all of them... drawing from photos is good, but you can't just learn from photos. I thought drawing from live observation was more important. I want to know if any of you who have completed this program can apply the same skills you seem to have learned from direct observational drawing. Can you draw a self portrait with an ever changing mirror to guide you? Can you do a still-life where the object is actually right in front of you? Please understand, I'm not trying to start a fight here, I'm just a skeptic. I'd honestly like to know. If it turns out that the skills reflect into direct observational drawing, I'll be convinced that this course will be something I want to take in the future.

Hi Nekuma, Because you are seeing alot of artwork that looks the same, I can see where you might think that the only way the students are learning to draw is by copying photos, but that isn't accurate.

There are 6 units in total, the first unit is designed to teach how to draw a good outline drawing. The methods taught include using a grid, or a construction drawing The idea behind learning to use a grid or how to draw using the construction method actually is to train your artists eye so that you are constantly asking yourself questions about what you are seeing, you learn to compare angles,estimate distances, proportions and with practice you become more accurate.

In Unit 2, you are taught acrylic painting techniques, color theory....and you are right, nothing is original...you are learning techniques.

In unit 3, all of the outline drawings that you use will be provided to you so that you can learn shading. The reason for this is to save time, because to shade properly, it takes time and patience! That is why you are seeing so many shoes that are the same... we aren't excited by the shoe, but by the accomplishment of shading it really, really well! We are able to do it because of the techniques that are taught.

In Unit 4, you will start the fun stuff. You will start to learn how to sight. how to judge proportions, and believe me you would not be able to draw a self portrait without knowing how to measure. The self portrait is drawn using both a mirror and a photo, and is not drawn with a grid. It would actually be very difficult to draw an accurate self photo using just a mirror as you would draw a mirror image of yourself... it is what you see, but people see you differently. You would have to draw the mirror image of the mirror image in order for it to be correct. It is drawn in charcoal, using sighting skills. (do you see how the skills are being built up as we go along?)

In Unit 5 you will be asked to draw from life in the perspective class, again using sighting skills that you've developed. So here you are drawing from live observation as you say. In addition, you are taught basic 1 and 2 pt perspective and will draw a room to scale from your imagination, no photos!

And in the final unit you will learn how to create original art, where ideas come from, composition and you'll create an original painting ( not from a photo). By this time, you will have learned all the skills necessary.

I am in the final class, week 2 . We've just completed an exercise that required us to find a painting by a well known artist and analyse the composition. I will never look at a painting the same way again.

Nekuma, I guess what I am telling you is that you will learn so much more than just how to draw from direct observation if you take all of the units. A few years ago, I took live evening classes where we only learned to draw from life, and that was great, but I didn't learn technique, I didn't learn the basics and that is what you'll learn really well with Cindy's classes.

After the initial 6 classes are completed you have the option to enter a 1 year mentoring program, where the only requirement will be to create 6 original artworks in the year. This next year of study will be more about personal development and honing my skills with Cindy's help. There will not be structured classrooms persay, but she will tailor my study to what my goals are... for instance one of the things she is going to send me is a short course in life drawing , so I will learn even more about proportions, angles etc while drawing nudes.After taking that short class I will start to go to a drop in life drawing class in my city and will feel comfortable drawing a live model .

In addition to teaching you how to draw, Cindy is generous with her knowledge about every aspect of becoming an artist. I can't tell you how valuable that is. I hope that I have answered some of your concerns, I can only tell you that I have not regretted taking these classes. Good luck and happy drawing!

Hi Nekuma,
Like Tannis I am also doing the 6 unit course with Cindy Wider and wanted to say to you by the end of this last unit of composition I feel quite confident I will be able to go and draw from observation, now that I have been trained in all the other basic skills that are essential to do so. We are all trained from photos to start with as Cindy can see where we are making mistakes and correct these, but if we were drawing form our own imaginations or observations she would not know without a photo for reference. I can honestly say in my opinion and I think Tannis would agree, that you will not look back after doing her lessons and will have a wonderful experience with your classmates as you begin this life changing journey which it is, as an added bonus.
Just take a class and you will see what we are talking about, you'll love it and Cindy, she is amazing!!!

Thank you Narelle and Tannis. I'm currently just in high school right now, but I've got big aspirations for animation school. The only problem is, I haven't had any formal art training. I have been taking basic drawing and figure drawing courses outside of school, and I'm planning to take self-portraiture next spring. They have helped a lot, but I know it won't be enough to get me ready for the portfolio I have to submit in my application to college my senior year. One of my plans was to take general education and basic drawing classes at my local community college and perhaps take this course as well since it has had such good results. That way, I would be thoroughly prepared for training in animation.
Perhaps I'll be in this class in a year or two

Hi Nekuma, Good for you, I think it is great that you are actively planning now so that you can accomplish your goal to learn animation. One of our classmates, by the name of Godlynx is currently studying animation at a university in Taiwan. You should check out her profile as she has a link to some of her animation work. I am sure that she'd answer any questions you might have about your career path.If you go to page 3 of this thread, you'll see some of her finished projects. She is very talented! I wish you success in reaching your goals, Nekuma!

Hi Nekuma -

Just wanted to stop in and say that no one is a bigger skeptic than I (not even you), and I am definitely among the converted now.

The photos are used to teach us how to approach a drawing. The later drawings are all completely unique.

At times we will be asked to practice a technique using the same reference photograph or drawing so that we can focus on the skills.

I understand from my colleagues who have gone to art school that copying "the masters" is a time honored tradition in art school, so I don't think this is in any way a short cut.

I encourage you to try Cindy's classes if you are interested in learning to draw without a lot of the pretentiousness that often accompanies it!

-amy

Here are a few of my paint lessons and my final project. Ral

Ral, you've done a fabulous job on your painting projects, congratulations! The blending on your tree trunk is splendid... I love your choice of colors in the abstract and your final project is excellent! We're having such fun aren't we? I am so glad to have you in my class... you are a joy, always so positive about everything!!

Hello all fellow Cindy Students!
Well I have been reading through this forum (and all of DS in fact) for quite some time just biding my time until I felt the courage to post....and here I am. Isn't it a difficult first step to put your art out there? You lot are inspiring and encouraging and I am sure that no one will mind if I single out Tannis - you are really genuine - you make us all glad to have you around! So I intend to join in with the "chatter" a little more as I travel through Cindy's courses. I am doing portraiture at the moment - scary but rewarding. Looking forward to sharing more with you.

SharonRyan, I am happy to see your work, it is really splendid. You did a great job on both, but your shoe is really outstanding! Your laces are really good and I like the way you did the toe of the shoe. Your shoe shines, congratulations! I know what you mean about putting your work "out there" for all to see! It takes a leap of faith and courage. But you know it is also a confidence builder! We are our worst critics, and you'll find that posting your work, and receiving comments will boost your self confidence tremendously. You have really excelled! I'm eager to see your portraiture!

This is my final project for unit 6, the final unit of the Paint in your pj's class and it brings together the things I've learned in previous units so that I could create an original artwork.

I got the idea to do an Inuksuk because the Olympic games are coming to Western Canada in February and the Inukshuk is being used as a symbol of welcome to all who come, both athletes and spectators. I did some research about Inukshuks and I learned that they are a type of Cairn of rocks constructed in the form of a man. They are a symbol of power and strength, and welcome to travellers, and quite often are erected at the site of a festival, but they also serve as a guide or a messenger. The Inuit, have used them for centuries to guide the way, to say that you are on the right path, they can mark a good place to fish or where there is a Caribou crossing or the direction of the north star.

After that I researched the North Star...it is a star that doesn't move, for navigation purposes, it always marks the way north. It is also marks the "True North" as the North pole is directly below it. So both the Inukshuk and the North star serve as true guides.

While hiking, quite often a cairn will mark my way, especially in rocky or snowy terrain and there is always a feeling of relief to know that you haven't veered off course...

I have named this ...

The Guide24" x 24"

This painting celebrates the lifelong journey of striving to reach our true potential and the guides along the way that help us. These guides point the way to the right path, helping us to skirt any obstacles we may encounter.

The north star, a star that marks the "true north", guides us in the general direction that we need to go to in order to realize our true potential.

The Inuksuk symbolizes all of the people in our lives that guide us in our quest to reach our true potential. These are the people who have made an impact on us, enriching our lives and guiding us to fulfillment.


It was a special moment when I realized that this piece had a special meaning for me. Somehow, in the application stage, I realized that this piece is about my journey to reach my true potential as an artist. Sort of fitting as it is my final project!


Drawspace, Cindy and all of you have been my Inukshuks, as I strive to reach my true potential and I appreciate all of you... Thank you!

After an extended holiday break, I'm really anxious to get back to Cindy's classes and this forum. I finished my shoe project from the shading class last week, and I still can't quite believe that I did it! It's a complex drawing, and those stitches and laces took plenty of time and patience, but I really can't remember the last time I felt so accomplished. Looking at my finished picture, all I can think is "Hah! I did it!"

So now instead of looking at all of the other wonderful shoes in this thread and wondering if I'll be able to complete the project, I get to add mine to the collection. And, if anyone is reading this wondering if they can draw The Shoe...yes, I'm quite sure that you can. Cindy will teach you the skills and give you the encouragement you need. Go for it!

Tannis, your painting is just beautiful! Congratulations on finishing the first "year" of classes...you are such an inspiration!

SharonRyan, both of your projects are wonderful, but I especially love the way your urn came out...it has so much character!

Ral, love your paintings! I'm moving on to acrylics next and and I'm really looking forward it.

Wow, Donna D, your shoe is splendid! You should well be impressed with your accomplishment! As you say, it is a complex piece and deserving of praise. I remember feeling a bit intimidated before starting this one too! But, wow, what a feeling to realize that you can and did do it! Congratulations, and i hope that you enjoy acrylics!

Hey Donna, what an achievement- this looks great. We all know what its like to do "the shoe" and so I suppose we all appreciate the effort it takes and the hours and the time. You have done a fantastic job and we can sense your feelings of satisfaction - having all been there too. Looking forward to seeing more of your work as you move through acrylics.


Tannis this is a wonderful piece of art. And given the explanation of what went into it, what it symbolises and what it means to you....very thought provoking. You just keep on raising that level of achievement we are all striving for! I hope now that you have finished your 6 units you will be staying around?


Sharon

Hi SharonRyan, Thank you, Yes, I'll be staying around. I have signed on for Cindy's Mentorship program. So that means another year of studying under Cindy. This next year will be really exciting because not only will I be honing my skills under her excellent guidance, I'll also have a front row seat to her creative process. As you know, Cindy has just started to work on a series of paintings. As part of my mentorship, she will be sharing her thoughts, and ideas as they evolve. She is at the heart and soul stage, it is very insightful. When you reach Unit 6, you will be privy to it for those 10 weeks also, and if you chose to continue on, you'll have the opportunity to see it all unfold. I think that the experience is priceless and I am so grateful for this opportunity!

Thank you, Tannis and SharonRyan!

Knocked out by the jet leg, while in Japan I got up in the night. I had nothing to do, so I shaded this from 3am to 8am no stop.
Toward the end I was a bit tired (there was a really bad light in the room) and did the stones in haste.
At least I didn't spent the whole night rolling in the bed: drawing is a panacea for many things

Very good Dan, I never did find time to shade mine.. now that I see yours, I think that I'll revisit it.. and you are right, drawing is a panacea for many things. I haven't done any pencil work for a while and I feel out of practice! I think I need to go back and relearn the shading unit! Sure won't hurt!

Hi Tannis,
Thanks for your comments. I'm missing everyone terribly I haven't got the heart to finish my little sea creatures at the moment. I can't afford the mentor class so I will visit into the mentored forum daily to see what you have all posted.'
Missing all,
God Bless,
Ral

Dan this is truly beautiful I haven't shaded mine yet but will let you see it when I do, I hope it turns out as good as yours. Ral

wonderful pics indeed for you both if I can save some big bucks Ill attend to the race this year and share tons of pics of each day

Im a Canon S3 / 1gb SD user

Hi Dan, what a nice drawing!

Will I ever be able to reach that level?

I like the dramaticity of the scene a lot, with those contrasts between lights and shadows

Hi Everyone,
I just finished Unit 6, Composition, of Cindy's classes. Yahoo! I made it through all 6 units! And I must say it has been a fabulous learning experience. Cindy is a fantastic motivator and instructor. I hope to have more time now to visit the forum and view all the wonderful work you've been doing! Here are a couple from Unit 6. The Canadian Darner is my creation with a couple fixes per Cindy's suggestion. The Seagull is my final.
Laura

Laura, you have alot of talent! Hope to see alot more from you!

Thanks Tannis! I will be following your work. You are not just talented but very active in producing art! I always look forward to your creations! What are you working on now?

Great paintings, Laura - it was great to see your different styles. I particularly like The Seagull. And congratulations on completing Cindy's course - that's an amazing achievement! So, where to from here?

Beautiful work,Laura, I love the colors in The Seagull . I'm in the 1st week of unit 6... this should be fun.

maemay

Thanks Metta and MaeMay! It's good to see you back MaeMay! I've missed your beautiful drawings! You have a lot of talent. I have finished with all 6 units now. I wanted some more practice blending and glazing so I tried Happy Chappy! It was a very good exercise.