Teaching Drawing Lessons

In an earlier post I mentioned that I have been giving drawing lessons to the trainees here in the Design Center. I wanted to go into more detail and put up some photos from our lessons.

The first few lessons were on one point perspective. I introduced to them the concept of perspective as it relates to visual observation. They have already learned about perspective as one's point of view on a topic or situation, and I was able to relate the slightly different meanings of perspective. I also introduced the trainees to the terms "horizon", "vanishing point", and "parallel". It was really interesting to see their reactions to these terms. To explain the idea of the horizon line, I asked them what they saw in nature that looks just like this. I thought that perhaps they would recognize the horizon since Kokrobitey is a village on the sea. They seemed confused, so I had to explain it very clearly to them.

I had an interesting conversation with Auntie Renee afterwards, and we observed how the concepts of straight and parallel lines seem to be so foreign to these young Ghanaians. Auntie was telling me how even adult masons and carpenters struggle to understand the idea of creating straight lines, parallel lines, and right angles in their work. I see this too on a daily basis as the trainees struggle to make sure they sew pockets on handbags nice and straight. The observation Auntie and I came to was this: Ghanaians live their lives immersed in nature. Where in nature do you see straight lines, parallel lines, or right angles? They do exist, but rarely. Nature is known for its organic lines that show curves and movement and texture. The idea of strict geometry is just as foreign to these young Ghanaians as it is to Ghana's wildlife.

Because of their difficulty we stayed on the subject of one point perspective for a few days of lessons. By the end of the unit the trainees had greatly improved their drawing skills. Soon they were able to draw simple houses on a street in perspective.

 Last week we introduced them to two point perspective. The trainees are catching on very quickly, and I am excited to see their improvement. They caught on to two point perspective much faster now that they more fully understand two point perspective. It makes me so proud and excited to see them catch the drawing fever... everywhere I go I see scraps of paper with little horizon lines with cubes and houses on them. I am also very interested in observing if and how these lessons inform the trainees' sewing work. It is my hope that their pocket placement and their skills in sewing straight lines will improve as a result of their drawing lessons. Only time will tell!