Values,Velocity, Valiance: Draw a Pen Portrait in Under 30 Minutes with David Tenorio
Don't let perfectionism keep you from the "valiant pursuit" of expressing your creativity.
In art, the pursuit of perfection can often be the very thing that keeps you from starting. This week, Bay Area artist and educator David Tenorio invites you to trade the stress of "getting it right" for the thrill of the pursuit.
The core of this lesson is about daring to make decisive, confident marks under a 30-minute time limit and finding the "divine quality" in a drawing that values practice over a predetermined destination.
David walks through the process of drawing an older gentleman with "experienced" skin, using the humble ballpoint pen to create professional-grade texture and depth. You will explore:
- The Power of Comparison: Learn to abandon guessing games by comparing the size and placement of features against one another to build a structural foundation.
- Ballpoint "Washes": Discover how to hold your pen far back to lay down fluid, painterly layers of shade that mimic the softness of graphite or watercolor.
- Focal Point Precision: Identify how to use mark-making to draw the viewer's eye toward the features that matter most, while allowing other areas to remain beautifully implied.
Beyond the technical, David shares a vital reminder for every artist: perfection is a myth. Whether you achieve 80% likeness or 100%, the success lies in the "valiant pursuit" and the willingness to be vulnerable on the page.
Grab your pen, set your timer, and join David for a session that celebrates the messy, exciting, and ultimately rewarding journey of the sketch. Let's get started!
