Taylor Morrison
Author/Illustrator and Science Teacher
Understanding Light
Arranging light is one of the most powerful tools a painter/illustrator can use. I teach students to see light and then start to depict it. Learning about light also gives one a greater appreciation of the skills of artists like Rembrandt and Käthe Kollwitz, who worked in times without cameras or electric lights. After observing light, I start to teach about color.
Fundamentals
Contour Drawing
Contour drawing is a very effective way to gather information while researching in the field. It is one way an artist can study and understand form through line. Peter Paul Rubens, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and Mary Cassatt did incredible contour drawings. Students have a lot of fun with blind contour drawings; it helps them get rid of negative self-consciousness, which can ruin their drawing experience.
Gesture
We practice gesture drawings to capture motion and expression.
Perspective Drawing
Perspective drawing is a bit challenging at first, but it’s fun to play with once you get the hang of it. Filippo Brunelleschi invented linear perspective in the 1400s, so people in church could look at a painting and feel like they could walk into it. It is a way to learn technique and tradition at the same time.
Life Drawing
My painting teacher, Tom Sgouros, used to say life drawing teaches you to “coordinate your eye hand and mind.” It also trains you to be more be more observant.
