Intro to Drawing Reflection

Vinny Genovesi

Intro to Drawing

5/4/15

Intro to Drawing – Chapter 11 Summary and Final Reflection

                The last chapter of our textbook deals with the very thing that I took this class for: commutative skills. I’m a fairly analytical left-brained person, but I recognize the importance of having access to that other half and I also realize that having that access in one area means that you have it in many others.

            I had realization some time ago that my thoughts came in layers. There are three, actually. There’s a primal layer where the thought is sort of sparked, then there is the layer where it’s translated to words for my left-brain to process, and then often it’s translated into words that I say out loud, in other words I talk to myself. I realized that in that initial stage, the primal layer, the thought is actually fully formed and actionable, but in order for me to process it, it has to travel through the other two. This won’t do for me. When we dream it’s all primal layer and no time-keeping. I’m convinced that that’s why dreams can have so much happen is such a short span of time. Nothing ever leaves the first layer of thought so everything is very, very fast. I wanted to be able to think that fast. I know that’s weird, but that’s a true story.

            I came to realize that what that first layer of thought was, was my right brain coming up with something. Why does it need to take the extra time to process through my language centers, I’ve wondered? How can I access that part of my head that doesn’t need to process, the part that already knows?

            The answer is, of course, art. As I said in my first summary, it has been an absolute joy to find out that my ulterior motive is the basis of art. When I took the first few of these classes and read the first few chapters of the textbook, I was absolutely blown away. Here is a teacher and a writer, both describing exactly what it is that I’m trying to accomplish. It was and has been, and still is extremely exciting.

            That said, this class has been such a boon in so many other ways. I never imagined myself an artist, not ever. I was in the camp of those who believe that you either have it or you don’t. How hilariously naïve! Of course I can learn to draw. Anyone can learn to draw if they try! It’s the same as anything else. If you decide you want to do it, you can do it. Practice and study.

            This revelation has expanded my world. What else can I do that I have stupidly believed was impossible up to now? What other things can I accomplish if I set my mind to it? And most of all, how far can I take this art thing?

            I know this for certain: I will continue drawing for the rest of my life, just like I write. I’ll gather up my sketchbook and my pencil box and go sit in the park and relax just like I would with a nice book if I were going to read or a pen and notepad if I were to write. I have one more thing that I can do that is just mine.

That’s a beautiful thing.