Lilla here. Today I’m thrilled to be sharing Part 2 of the amazing free three-part warm up assignment my co-teacher, Tamisha Anthony, has created for you. Tamisha has chosen three amazing Black women in music for you to learn about and explore, and what’s really cool is that you’ll be able to listen to their music as you draw.
Look at this feast of images! You’ll love the rich visuals that Tamisha has put together for you in each of the four weekly presentations. Sign up here!
I love Tamisha’s enthusiasm and passion for her subject, and I know you will too, so if you enjoy this mini assignment then be sure to sign up for the FREE course we’re teaching together, Redrawing Black History, which starts one week today, on Monday, January 10th.
Plus don’t forget to join Tamisha and me for a lively FREE Zoom event THIS FRIDAY, January 7th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT. We’ll be talking about the #MATSprep warm up exercise that I’m sharing, so be sure to tag @makeartthatsells and use the hashtag #MATSprep when you share what you do so we can see it!
On with today’s mini assignment …
Mini-Assignment 2: Alice Coltrane
Photos: rollingstone.com, youtube.com
Tamisha says: “As a jazz enthusiast, it’s hard not to know about John Coltrane, the bebop and hard bop saxophonist and composer, but I had never heard of his amazing wife, Alice Coltrane, who he married in 1965.
“Alice was an American jazz musician and composer: she wasn’t only a pianist, but was also one of the few harpists in jazz history. She came from a musical family – her brother, Ernest Farrow, was a jazz bassist, and her sister, Marilyn McLeod, was a songwriter for Motown – and in her youth she moved from Detroit to Paris to study classical music.
“From 1968 to 1977, she released thirteen albums. During this time, her music evolved from standard jazz to something more cosmic and spiritual. Listen to and enjoy the beautiful tones of one album or explore a few of Alice’s albums for a wonderful, magical ride!”
Listen here
Lilla’s tips for approaching the #MATSprep assignment
Faces are the most fascinating thing to draw and so valuable thing to include your portfolio: portraits get you work! How fun will it be for you to set aside a little drawing time, to make art and learn about these astonishing Black women artists? Let’s look at three suggested approaches for all levels.
Easy: Get a cup of coffee, paper and a pencil and sketch one feature several different ways, such as the eyes, the nose or the mouth.
Intermediate to advanced: Plan a color story and draw or paint the face. You could try a different medium for each of the three #MATASpreps.
Short on time: Set aside 15 minutes, read the assignment, stare at the photo, and jot down/free associate any words that come to mind. Getting in the head of your subject is always great practice for infusing your art with power. Bonus: hand letter one of the words you wrote.
Your teacher, Tamisha Anthony, in her living room. Photo by Craig Fuchs.
Tamisha’s art tip: Try to capture Alice’s vibe, organized chaos, and multicolored notes in her portrait as you listen, draw and sip.
Lilla’s favorite cut: Blue Nile for all that dreamy harp work.
Don’t forget to share your finished assignments so we can see what you do! Tag in @makeartthatsells and use the tag #MATSprep so that we can easily find your beautiful art. I’ll be looking!
Hurry hurry – Redrawing Black History starts NEXT MONDAY, January 10th! Get ready to immerse yourself in the music, art, clothing, hairstyles, culture and more of four iconic eras in Black American history – and it’s completely FREE! Don’t miss out – sign up here!
See you in class!
Lots of love,
P.S. Look out for Part 2 this Thursday, January 6th, and don’t forget to join Tamisha and me for a FREE live Zoom event this Friday, January 7th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT.
