28 March – 4 April, 2010

In a lot of art classes today, often you will be asked to draw or paint straight on to paper using the your imagination.  This can be of great advantage to someone who already has the drawing skills formed, but can be very discouraging to someone who can’t draw.   Richard and Diana discovered that by using reference, you can learn to observe your subjects to ensure each picture is drawn accurately and with the correct proportions.

Once you have mastered the drawing skills, you then will have the confidence to draw with or without reference.  However, this is a process that is taken at your own pace.

“You never stop learning with art.  Every teacher will have something to add to your knowledge.  These lessons will give you the confidence you need to try different styles and techniques.”

Richard and Diana Moore have been teaching art since 1997. Over the years they have developed a drawing program that works quickly and efficiently with those who feel they have no natural talent. It only takes a few lessons to see that anyone can draw if they have the correct tuition. Each year they develop and refine their techniques to make it simple for you to pick up drawing skills effortlessly.

Richard, whom was born with natural talent, brings more than 30 years of professional art experience to share with you.

Diana, having learnt from scratch brings empathy to those who are just starting out, and has worked with Richard to develop simple step by step instructions to make it easy for you as a beginner to follow.

Together they bring a harmonious balance to the classes with Diana building your confidence up and once you are showing a need to advance, Richard steps in and stretches your skills to enable you to improve with each lesson.

Here are some of the questions they get asked – and how they reply:

1. I have had no experience with art or drawing and find it even difficult drawing a stick figure!  How  will the Learn to Draw lessons or Painting Workshops benefit me?

The lessons are specifically designed to meet the needs of students like yourself.  In fact many of  our students have come to us for lessons because of our advertising “No Natural Talent Required!” logo. All lessons and workshops are taught with step by step instructions.  You are  given individual attention . We teach a special technique that enables you to build the pathway from your left side of the brain to the right.  Not everyone has this pathway when they are born, but you can develop this pathway by using our easy to learn techniques, very quickly.

2. Art lessons I have been to at other art school put me off  as I didn’t get shown how to draw anything, I was literally left on my own to work things out and then the teacher would come along to critique it. What do you do that is different?

We work with you on an individual basis.  Both Richard and Diana circle the class, problem solving with more advanced students, and with beginners, giving them step by step instructions.  Often we will be doing the same drawing  or painting at the same time to show you how things are done.
We only have 10- 12 students at a time to ensure quality lessons.

3. Will I need to bring art materials with me to Fiji?

All of the art materials will be supplied at the workshop, so there is no necessity to bring anything with you.

4. What style do you teach?

We teach Realism.  Realism is the only style of art that you can build a pathway from the Left side of the brain to the Right Side of the Brain.  The Right side of the brain is your “artistic” side.  Some people are born with this pathway already established.  If you are one of these people, you are very lucky. If not, you can use realism to build this pathway.  All other styles of art will not create this pathway. If you can master realism, you can master any style.
Both Richard and Diana paint and draw in a variety of styles.  However realism is mainly taught in the classes.

5. I hear you use reference.  Isn’t this just copying?

To build the pathway to the right side of the brain it is essential to have  reference. It is easier for a beginner to have photo reference than drawing from life.  Once you have built that pathway, we will encourage you to draw from life as much as you can.
After drawing a subject several times, often you will no longer need to have anything specific to draw from. But initially we highly recommend you use photographic reference. Most well known realistic artists will use some sort of reference.

6. How long does it take to be drawing pictures like I have seen on your website?

Every student is different. Some come with no natural talent and within a few days at the workshop they are drawing beautiful work on their own. Others may take less time and some may longer. We work with establishing a pathway from the left side of the brain to the right. This process is enhanced by the specific way that we teach. So often results happen very fast. We have taught over 2000 students in New Zealand and Australia, and there hasn’t been one student that hasn’t improved 100%.

Programme

Sunday 28 March
Travel day: fly to Nadi, transfer to domestic flight to Savusavu. Welcome.
Dinner.

Monday 29 March
9.00am – 12.00pm: Learn what subconscious questions an artist is thinking whilst drawing a picture.  Learn easy techniques to help you problem solve and to draw realistic images.
Afternoon: visit to Savusavu town – local market and shops.

Tuesday 30 March
9.00am – 12.00pm: Drawing Birds and other wildlife
Afternoon beach / boat outing.
Evening Session: Watch how Richard or Diana go through a picture from start to finish.

Wednesday 31 March
9.00am – 12.00pm: Drawing Palms and trees using an easy to follow recipe. Then you will progress onto drawing from reference. Then we will draw one from life.
Afternoon: free time. Late afternoon: tapa (bark cloth) making demonstration.

Thursday 1 April
9.00am – 12.00pm: Drawing buildings using a simple perspective recipe.  Drawing from reference.  Drawing a Bure from life.
Late afternoon session: Watch how Richard or Diana go through a picture from start to finish.
Evening: drinks at Savusavu Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Friday 2 April
9.00am – 12.00pm: Drawing Landscapes and Beach Scenes using a simple recipes.  Guidelines to good composition.  Using Charcoal and/or Pencil.
Afternoon: visit to village for meke (traditional dance).
Evening Session: Watch how Richard or Diana go through a picture from start to finish.

Saturday 3 April
9.00am – 12.00pm: Putting it all together.  Drawing outside, using the environment as your inspiration.
Afternoon: free time and prepare for class exhibition.
Final lovo dinner.

Sunday 4 April
Depart from Savusavu 0830 and connect with flights home.