This semester at the University I'm taking a course called "figure structure." Even after a week of classes, I'm already feeling the benefit of practicing drawing what I see, with attention to the details, proportions, and other aspects of rendering a good likeness. Already I'm feeling more confident. As I sketched people in the coffee shop this morning, I found myself making fewer errors in proportion and perspective.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you'll see a lot more realistically detailed paintings on this site, though I don't rule out that possibility. At this point I'm thinking that in my "free time," when I'm painting what I want to paint, I'll see what happens when the practice of drawing meets the wild improvisational style I most love. Ultimately, I have no doubt, all this drawing practice will make me a better painter.

I'm posting a sketch from my figure class on today's blog.