Last night was the first meeting of the Beginning Drawing class I’m taking this fall at the Des Moines Art Center. I’ve really liked to draw since I was a kid, and most of the people in my family are talented artists (especially my brother Eric).

I normally like to draw with graphite pencils, since this is how most of us learned how to draw back in elementary school, and it is always the medium I’ve felt most comfortable in. When Nicole had to take Illustration classes in college, I was always amazed at how cool charcoal drawings turned out, and I’ve always wanted to try them out. When I saw this class was being offered, I decided to jump at the chance to get some formal training, and to try charcoal out for myself. It is also really nice to just have 2 hours a week dedicated to drawing, and only drawing. Not drawing while I’m watching TV, or just telling myself “I’ll draw something tomorrow”.

The first class went really well. The teacher was very good, and really helpful and insightful about our drawings. Our first assignment was to do a self-portrait of ourselves, and we could do it in any medium we wanted. I chose to try charcoal, just to get out of my comfort zone, and because I was really excited to try it out :). I think it turned out pretty well, especially for my first day of class, and my first try at charcoal.

I am so excited about this class, and I already can’t wait until next Wednesday to go back and keep drawing! Fun stuff…