Reflections of skill derive from live model art

Have an inspirational story about your dad? Tell us
12:26 p.m.
How to stay safe outdoors this Memorial weekend
5/23/12
Students make most of school’s Lenten service project
5/23/12
How to make a customized dry-erase board
5/23/12
Woman helps tornado victims with lost photos
5/23/12
> More lifestyle headlines

By Pamela Dillon, Contributing Writer 8:42 PM Saturday, December 24, 2011

One of the hardest techniques for artists to master is drawing from a live model. But just because something is hard, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to master it.

Nine area artists have been meeting at the Preble County Fine Arts Center over the past twelve months to do just that. You can see the fruits of their labors at “A Year of Life Drawing” during the month of January.

“For over a year, a small group of artists have been meeting every first and third Tuesday evening at the Preble County Fine Arts Center to draw from a model,” said PCAA office manager Allison Singhoffer. “There is no instructor; just artists working and helping each other while honing their anatomy skills and technique.”

These artists have amassed an impressive collection of artwork: Erin Abney, Bob Brown, Judy Deisher, Angelo Giatelli, Lynne Glass, Larry Huber, Erica Keener, Judy Thaxton and Kristine VanderSchaaff.

“When the Life Drawing sessions first started, it quickly became obvious to me that I was rusty. It had been nearly 15 years since I had drawn from a live model while a student at OSU. The human form is one of the more challenging and complex subjects for an artist. Drawing, like any skill, takes a lot of practice,” said Keener, who has a Bachelor of Art in anthropology from Ohio State University, and won First Place for “Approaching Storm,” a pastel she presented at PCAA’s Annual Exhibition in 2010.

“In the past year I’ve seen big improvements in my skill level, and I feel a lot more confident about my abilities when I am working on my own without a model,” Keener said. “The feedback all of the artists get from each other while at the sessions has been helpful as well.”

Contact contributing arts writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.

Share this article