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This has to be the most serendipitous thread I've come upon in a long time. I too am in college. I spent three years at a local community college which, by the grace of God, had a wonderful teacher who actually taught me a few things. The man did not rest. He went around to every easel over and over saying things like, "When one plane comes in front of another you've got to lower the key and feather the edge." "Where planes change direction you can get away with murder." "Lighter! Brighter!" "Stand back here and look at that monster you've created." Ok, that one hurt, but I'd much rather have heard that than what I'm hearing now at the university which is NOTHING!
I am frustrated to the point of tears most days. In fact, that's why a came on the board tonight hoping I could find someone to commiserate with. I'm taking "19th Century French Art and Culture" and just looking at David's and Ingres' work makes me want to explode. Oh, and Gericault's portraits of the insane and... Why can't I learn to do that? Why am I spending all this time and money? When I ask how to do something the answer I get now is, "Well... I could tell you how to do it, but then I would just be telling you how to do it. You've got to figure it out for yourself." GAWD! I can't take it. Especially when that phrase follows a fifteen minute discourse on how I keep having the same problems painting after painting.
I had one professor last semester in life drawing who when I asked him why don't they offer any classical training at the university he said, "Because none of the instructors know how to do it." I appreciate his honesty.
Anyway, I quit school semester before last in utter despair. But, after realizing how close I was to a degree and how much time, money and effort I'd already put into it I went back. (Besides, I really like art history class.) I graduate next year and I can't wait to actually have time to LEARN HOW TO PAINT!
Hopefully, I'll get into some workshops out at Scottsdale Artist's School. I tried to get into William Whitaker's class, but it was full. Maybe, next time.
That Laguna College looks really interesting. This thread may be even more serendipitous than I thought!
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