A lady has a dear friend who oil paints. As a lovely gesture of friendship, she paid for a month of drawing lessons for her friend, whom we shall call Nancy. Nancy told me she was very nervous, and I could see that she was. I did my best to reassure her that everyone starts out knowing nothing, which is why they take lessons! She didn’t want to sit by anyone else who might see her struggle, so we got her settled at a different table. I gave her the beginning exercises, sat with her as much as possible without completely ignoring my other students, and told her to take her time working as there are no deadlines, tests, or grades. She wanted to work at home, so I gave her some tasks to take home.  I told her not to worry if she didn’t get to it, because there is no homework either! Nancy inched along on during Lesson #2, bravely sitting alone at her own table, but I could sense that she wanted me to be there reassuring her the entire time. The other 3 students would have felt (rightly so) ripped off if I gave all my time to one student, so I balanced and juggled as best as I could. (This is always a bit of a challenge; that is why I keep my classes to just 4 people whenever possible.) Last week was lesson #3 for Nancy, and she called the day before saying she wasn’t coming back.

Everyone learns at a different rate, but no one has ever learned to draw well in 2 lessons. In fact, the only people who haven’t learned to draw from me are the ones who quit too soon! ‘Bye Nancy, and good luck! I’m sorry I couldn’t help you. . .

This is a drawing by a student who was so eager to learn that back when there was a very very long waiting list to get in, she bought a book called “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards  http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/0874774195/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232810211&sr=1-1 and she worked through it. By the time she got to me, all she needed was a little technique help and a place to sit for an hour each week. Isn’t this wonderful??                😎