First Day of School

Today was the first day of school and I am tired, tired, tired, and still pretty excited. I will probably be posting on the weekends but had to post for the first day of school.
First I have to say that the Ashland Academy of Art is wonderful. Everyone is friendly, both students and teachers. The school is all on one floor and divided into different stations. Us first year students were in the still life section and our easels were gathered around one end. All around us were students painting still lifes and through a partition there were students painting live models. We were so focused on what we were trying to achieve that I seldom looked around. It was only when I got up to get a drink of water or used the restroom that I would see all the artistic industry going on around us. Quite a busy and productive place. The sounds were of scraping easels and chairs, instructors teaching or correcting individuals, and somewhere a timer going off for the next pose.
After a brief introduction the Master Artist put us to work. Here is the first thing we worked on,
A cylinder on top of books with a cube and a ball. Our task was to get the proportions correct using relative measurements. This is how far all of us got after nearly three hours!
We had a welcomed one hour break for lunch and then we came back for round two.




This set up was a little more complicated and gave me the most problem getting the proportions right. We worked for three solid hours on this one. I know the pictures are kind of hard to see. It was dark by the time I was able to take pictures. Hopefully the future pictures will look better as I will be able to take them in the daylight hours.

Doesn't look like much does it? I have to say that I learned a tremendous amount today. It is challenging to get the mind, body, and eye to work together in this way. It is a start and I am very satisfied.

Our teacher very kindly said, as we filed out wearily, "I know it is painful but it will get easier in three years!"
Bring it on!
Off to bed and then back at school tomorrow.