Dr Darby reviews Just Draw

Hi Everyone,

I’m delighted with the review my DVD’s were given by Dr Darby. He is a highly regarded expert in the field of visual arts in Victoria. Here’s what he’s posted on his website:

Just Draw is an action demonstration by an outstanding artist who undertakes life drawing from the model on screen. Not only does it provide direct and observable access to the artist’s own technical prowess, it takes us on an inspiring Zen-like journey from the beginning of his drawings through to their completion. And, his on-going descriptions of what he is doing provide real insights into his thinking and working processes and the challenges he meets along the way. I found the approach taken in Just Draw suitable both for beginners and for those more advanced. While the DVD does not purport to replace the teacher, it seemingly provides everything budding students from all levels need to begin drawing confidently from the model. I found it to be an excellent resource for anyone interested in drawing – or even daunted by it. Imaginative, instructional, encouraging and totally positive.

Just Draw provides over an hour of invaluable instruction and demonstration and over 3 X ½ hours of ‘real’ models posing for the artist’s drawings - and these are 'live models' not just still photographs. They actually move and breath! Each of the poses last for 30 minutes, providing an in-depth experience for those who view them. The poses vary considerably and some are deliberately challenging to provide interest for those seeking to represent form, solidity and fluidity on a two-dimensional surface. This approach brings to life what has usually been poorly and boringly produced in books. It captures the immediacy and directness of actual life drawing classes. It’s as though you are looking at the model and standing right beside the artist. And, he seems to predict your next question (whispered of course!). Imagine being able to set homework or additional skill development tasks in class utilizing such a tasteful and artistic DVD that has been beautifully filmed using expert lighting, production and editing processes. The DVD could even be projected onto a large screen for instruction and demonstration tasks.

I must admit that after watching Just Draw I was enthused to draw from the model more myself and to return as a student to life drawing classes. It is an excellent resource for all Art Departments in schools and Tertiary Institutions. I surprisingly also found it provided me with activities and tasks that I can readily introduce into my own classes, hence it has positive value as a program planning devise and not just an art activity support. Some of the approaches can even be adapted to other aspects of drawing and painting. I will certainly use it as important support when teaching future life drawing classes, many of them with adults.

Just Draw is a must for all schools interested in life drawing and for teachers interested in developing and improving their own skills and techniques. I wish I’d had access to it in teh past when introducing my own students to this challenging experience. In fact, I think I might quit this review and ‘go and do some life drawing’.

 

 

Dr Max Darby

Thank you for reading.

Cheers

Dr Manny

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