Class Description:

Want to draw like a Picasso or Michelangelo?  Let’s get started!  This class will show you the basics of drawing.  First, Mike will show you different pencils, and how to hold them to achieve different marks.  Then, he’ll demonstrate and instruct you on lines, shapes, proportions, and values – four very important foundational skills in drawing.  With each part of the class, students will be able to practice their lessons, culminating in a final drawing.

What should I bring?  If possible, bring a normal wood pencil (this is preferred over a mechanical pencil), a sharpener, an eraser, and 3-4 pieces of blank paper.  If you don’t have a pencil, bring markers or even a crayon!  Have a flat surface to draw upon.  Finally, bring a simple object to draw – a ball or fruit, such as an apple, orange, or grapes.

About Your Instructor:

Mike Russel is an Artist-in-Residence for Culturally.  Mike served for twenty years in the United States Air Force as an officer and pilot.  His experiences flying large cargo aircraft across the world continues to inspire his artistic work.  Mike’s artistic talents are largely self-taught, but he is grounded in the foundational skills used by the masters.  His sweeping landscapes and broad, colorful strokes are motivated by the Impressionists of the past.  Mike lives with his wife in his hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the majestic Pike’s Peak watches overhead.  Mike’s artwork can be viewed on CulturallyArts.com, or on his website: RusselMountainGallery.com.