“How to Draw” is offered as a series of eight classes on the Patterson School campus Wednesday and Saturday mornings beginning on Saturday, June 11 and continuing through Wednesday, July 6. The morning classes will be held from 9am to noon in the Wiese Dorm Art Studio.
“Like reading and writing , drawing is a fundamental life skill, and knowledge of drawing will reinforce your understanding of the visual world. Contrary to popular belief, the ability to draw is a learned process,” explains instructor Ed Dyer, who has recently moved to North Carolina from New Orleans. Ed is a member of the Pastel Society of America and the Degas Pastel Society. He earned his BFA degree from Boston University in 1959, and his MBA degree from Yale University in 1970.
“Students will learn how to see;” says Ed, ” drawing is 50% observation.” Ed will teach composition, drawing fundamentals using basic forms, and elements of shading. Classes will cover the use of values, and accurate measurement techniques for proportion. Students will learn to create textures and soft / hard edges for impact. Each session will become more challenging as skills are acquired.
The workshop will be hands-on, with demonstrations and individual guidance. “If you want to take your drawing to the next level, this workshop is for you,” says Ed. Classes are designed for the beginner and intermediate student, adults and young adults, with three full hours of drawing in each of the eight sessions. Individual guidance and evaluation, and informational handouts are all included. Media will be charcoal and graphite on newsprint. A list of inexpensive materials will be issued.
Ed Dyer will be featured as Artist in Residence at the Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock for the week of August 8 -16, and will be on hand there to discuss his work. The Cottage is the vintage studio of Blowing Rock painter Elliott Daingerfield, now restored and managed by the Blowing Rock Historical Society.
“Learning to draw skillfully is the surest way to achieve mastery in your painting, no matter what the medium , ” Ed explains. The Patterson School Campus is located nine miles north of Lenoir on Highway 268, just past the Chapel of Rest. Visit Ed’s website at Ed Dyer Fine Art, and to register for classes, call the Caldwell Arts Council at (828) 754-2486. Fee for the 8-day series is $250.