Figure 1

1. Draw From Life…the main complaint for this in prison is that “there is no life in here!” But what are ways of looking that address this basic problem?

2. Develop alternative ways of seeing the world rather than seeing the world as “objects.” This alternative way of seeing includes the exploration of light and shadow. Figure 1 is a drawing exercise by James Bennet. The fact that the "object" is an apple is not important. The primary focus is the relationship between light and shadow. Finding other sources of creating a drawing (rather than only relying upon what “it Is about”), creates a more complicated and richer drawing. Most of the drawings that I see in prison are primarily concerned about making something look like something. To an experienced artist, this is not as important as the other elements of a drawing. What are these elements?

Figure 2

Figure 2 is a drawing sketch that I did of a Greek sculpture in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was not interested in features: the eyes, etc. but wanted to develop the portrait based upon the planes of the face. Many of the drawings that I see of prison portraits that are done by copying photos do not convey the artist's understanding of these planes of the face. Notice the five planes on the forehead....these five planes are the structure of anyone's forehead, no matter what race. Learn structure before the details......bake the cake before putting on the decorations.....

3. Learn from art history!!! Big Mike, Leo, Kathe Kollwitz, and the rest of the bunch did not rely upon formulas and easy solutions for their work. LOOK at the great artists!!!! They are great for a reason!