Drawing Classes

This fall I've started teaching Drawing Class again. It's been two and half years since I've taught so it has been fun getting back into it. I have 21 students come to my home (2 seperate classes). They're learning the concepts of drawing and this week we're talking about shading. Here is a sample of a great exercise on shading I found for anyone out there who wants to 'sharpen' their shading skills.

Pencil Shading Exercise

Graduated Tone
Graduated tone can be used to create the illusion of space and form in a drawing. It is a very useful skill to develop.
Use a B, 2B, or darher grade of pencil for your shading. Lighter grades (H, 2H etc.) will not give enough depth to your darkest tones.
Just start by shading the area you wish to be dark and slowly build up the tone. As you work towards the light, gradually ease the pressure on your pencil until you can no longer see it. You then patiently repeat this process, building a depth to the shading and trying to keep the tonal changes as smooth as possible until you achieve the intensity of tone that you desire.

found here

A New Niece

We have a new niece!

My sister, Amy and her husband Michael just had their first baby:

Elena Elizabeth
born on September 21,2009
9 lbs 7.5 oz. , 21.5 " long

(As I'm typing this, Micah looks at her picture over my shoulder and whispers, "She's a little princess...)

Psalm 145: 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever.

Micah starts Karate!!