Create What You Want to Create

8x10 on Strathmore 300 Series Bristol, 100lb smooth paper

I was reading the August/September 2008 issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine when I came upon the article about Jane Sisco . She says, "Why do something anyone else could do?" This quote really got me to thinking. I always seem to see something and say, “Oh, I could do that!” Then I try to do that. But why try to mimic someone else when God created us to do something unique? If you haven't noticed, the word “unique” keeps coming up in my posts.

As an art instructor, I teach drawing the way others have taught to achieve a realistic look. I also teach art the way I create a drawing. But I am finding my own style of drawing that works for me to achieve what I want to achieve. My hope for my students is to learn their own style as well. I don’t want to hinder a person if their own style is showing through. If there are any teachers/artists who are reading this, how do you make sure your students let their own styles shine through in their work?

I try to let my student’s style shine through by:
- offering advice when asked
- let them experiment with different drawing styles
- let them try different pencils (graphite or color)
- have fun and enjoy themselves

There are probably more things but it’s difficult to think of everything.