never too old

I hesitate to use this image here because it isn't very good - but it represents something significant about my day so here we go.  Late afternoon, on this sunny but a little bit chilly day, bro was here playing in the garage with his scooter and I was scrolling through FB with my afternoon cuppa, when an ad caught my eye for something called "Sketch Week" -  daily online tutorials at 19.30, Monday - Friday this week for £10.  I thought, 'why not' so signed up. I have to say that I had not previously heard of the tutor - but I have now! It was a thoroughly enjoyable two hours of which the first 45-60 mins was spent with the artist tutor, Adebanji Alade,  as he guided all participants, live on YouTube, through today's task of Portrait drawing, sketching this old man's face from a photograph. A face that tells a story for sure. Adebanji Alade's method, approach - all about construction lines and angles and jumping straight in with mark making - and completely different to my usual way of seeing and drawing - as well as working much more quickly than I usually do -  so it was quite a challenge for me.  It's all about sketching, which in some ways also means 'unfinished' and I'm comfortable with that. I kept up with the live drawing and stopped at the end of his tutorial and made no corrections. It is all about a different way to draw and I loved it as a learning experience, even if I don't love the result!!  This man's vibrance, enthusiasm, sheer joy in making Art and helping others to do the same was like a jet wash of energy to fill your boots with.   Can't wait for tomorrow's class.

I've "Googled" him now of course. 

Adebanji Alade - 'the Addictive Sketcher' features regularly on the BBC’s The One Show, and can often be found sketching travellers on the London Underground.  .... Adebanji is the president of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters; a full member of The Guild of Fine Art in Nigeria; and in 2014 was elected to the council of the Chelsea Art Society.