Intermediate Drawing with Tobin Bortner (Ages 13-Adult)

By popular demand! Our resident Instructor, Tobin Bortner, is offering an Intermediate Level drawing workshop over 3 days. Dig deeper into the techniques and applications to step up your drawing skills. Some basic knowledge in drawing is required. Ages 13+ are welcome, all supplies are provided for class. (Class tuition includes supply fee).

Session One Fundamentals – Teaser ques4on: Why is realism really abstract?
A) Fundamentals of Art
B) Abstract
C) Realism
D) Color and Depth
E) Light Source and Shading
Session Two Abstract – Teaser ques4on: What is drawing without drawing anything?
A) On Your Mark – Make them.
B) Get Set – What’s your favorite color?
C) GO! – How deep does the rabbit hole go?
Session Three Realism – Teaser Ques4on: Can you draw what you see, not what you know?
A) The subject.
B) The eyes have it.
C) It can be hairy.
D) Blending stumps for teeth.

Tobin’s Story:

In the late seventies, I studied drawing as a fine art at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.   In 1981, my graphite rendering project, “Ears” was given the “Best Drawing” award in a contest run by the Richmond Palladium Item Newspaper.
Starting in 1984, I was self-employed as a sign painter and graphic designer. In 1988, my design “Informe Sida” was chosen as the winner for a billboard competition run by the Austin American Statesman.  In 1992 I earned a Commercial Art degree at Austin Community College. During my studies I had the opportunity to meet Amando Pena and Charles Umlauf. I studied illustration under Jimmie Longacre, one of Austin’s best, most published illustrators. In 2011 I achieved another degree from St. Edward’s University studying Organizational Communication.   In 2014, I learned that, in his lifetime, Pablo Picasso created over 50,000 original pieces of artwork. I was inspired to pick up the pace of my own art production. In 2015, I produced sixty-one original pieces; in 2016, ninety-two; 2017, one hundred seven; 2018 one hundred forty-eight; and in 2019, I’ve documented two hundred twenty-six pieces. I am enjoying the faster “Picasso” pace.

Original drawing by Tobin

Tobin Bortner