"Neil was precise with his information and helpful with each student. Very kind, understanding teacher who freely shared his knowledge with us."
Lenore G. - workshop participant
"Excellent instruction. Provided clarification of correct drawing method for accuracy. Personal instruction for everyone in the class."
Marcia S. - workshop participant
"I really enjoyed the class. The lectures were so helpful in getting the basic concept of drawing correctly. The workshop was not only about learning to draw accurately, but to remember why we are creating art - the purpose of the process!"
C.K., - workshop participant
"Thank you so much for your giving such a wonderful class. I walked away both inspired and equipped to continue on this art journey I have begun."
Catherine A., - workshop participant
"I really appreciate the clarity of the method you taught. Your work and enthusiasm are inspiring!
Barbara, - workshop participant
"I have never produced a drawing so well as the one I did after your instruction at the Bird Journaling Workshop. This truly made a difference in my understanding of how to draw to scale, how to use highlight and shadows, why a color or value seems to change in value when placed next to other values. Thank you for your patience and giving us time to apply our lessons immediately until we could capture each one for ourselves. I hope to take another workshop in the future." - Cyn G., workshop participant
“Neil Rizos demystified for me that most difficult part of creating an artwork — getting started. By commencing the workshop with a practical demonstration using straightforward measuring techniques to establish an accurate base drawing of a bird, he clarified how much difficulty and reworking of the image can be avoided by getting proportions correct from the start, no matter the medium or subject. His humor, easygoing manner, and positive nature made the workshop especially enjoyable. Along with nuts and bolts advice regarding technique and materials, we benefited from little gems of insight into the creative process that Neil shared throughout the afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” - E. Paquette, workshop participant
Observational Drawing Workshops
Drawing accurately is a skill, not a talent, and these workshops effectively teach that skill.
Drawing accurately is a skill, not a talent, and these workshops effectively teach that skill.
As expected, all my workshops are now conducted via ZOOM. Please contact me to learn more about the listed workshops, modifying an existing program or designing a presentation for the specific purposes of your organization, group or event. Everything can be adjusted - duration, subject, medium, experience level, etc. -
Observational Workshop I
Learning to See for Drawing, Painting & Sculpture
With Neil Rizos
These Observational Drawing Workshops are designed to provide participants of all skill levels an effective method to draw quickly and accurately from photographs, museum & lab specimens and from life.
Learning to See for Drawing, Painting & Sculpture
With Neil Rizos
These Observational Drawing Workshops are designed to provide participants of all skill levels an effective method to draw quickly and accurately from photographs, museum & lab specimens and from life.
There is an excellent reason classical training in representational art begins with drawing - and it is not because drawing is inherently valuable as an ability or as a product. The real value with the classical approach is this: Accurate drawing arises from methodical visual analysis. There can be no accurate drawing (or painting or sculpture) if one has not learned and consistently applied a method of visual analysis, which provides the specific, verifiable information needed to render an object accurately. Importantly, this method of analysis can be effectively taught and learned. It is the deepest meaning of the vague and often misunderstood term, ‘Seeing’, in the context of creating Art. Seeing, (intelligent, purposeful observation) is a learned skill, not a talent. The power of this method is that once learned and applied, it is equally effective for drawing, painting and sculpting any subject you wish.
I know from personal experience and the experience of many others, that the thoughtful study of nature, science and art can significantly influence our lives beyond the apparent boundaries of those disciplines.
I know from personal experience and the experience of many others, that the thoughtful study of nature, science and art can significantly influence our lives beyond the apparent boundaries of those disciplines.
Here's what Workshop participants have to say about their experience
"Neil was precise with his information and helpful with each student. Very kind, understanding teacher who freely shared his knowledge with us."
Lenore G. - workshop participant
"Excellent instruction. Provided clarification of correct drawing method for accuracy. Personal instruction for everyone in the class."
Marcia S. - workshop participant
"I really enjoyed the class. The lectures were so helpful in getting the basic concept of drawing correctly. The workshop was not only about learning to draw accurately, but to remember why we are creating art - the purpose of the process!"
C.K., - workshop participant
"Thank you so much for your giving such a wonderful class. I walked away both inspired and equipped to continue on this art journey I have begun."
Catherine A., - workshop participant
"I really appreciate the clarity of the method you taught. Your work and enthusiasm are inspiring!
Barbara, - workshop participant
"I have never produced a drawing so well as the one I did after your instruction at the Bird Journaling Workshop. This truly made a difference in my understanding of how to draw to scale, how to use highlight and shadows, why a color or value seems to change in value when placed next to other values. Thank you for your patience and giving us time to apply our lessons immediately until we could capture each one for ourselves. I hope to take another workshop in the future." - Cyn G., workshop participant
“Neil Rizos demystified for me that most difficult part of creating an artwork — getting started. By commencing the workshop with a practical demonstration using straightforward measuring techniques to establish an accurate base drawing of a bird, he clarified how much difficulty and reworking of the image can be avoided by getting proportions correct from the start, no matter the medium or subject. His humor, easygoing manner, and positive nature made the workshop especially enjoyable. Along with nuts and bolts advice regarding technique and materials, we benefited from little gems of insight into the creative process that Neil shared throughout the afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” - E. Paquette, workshop participant
Verify Proportional Dividers
This is a powerful tool to understand and practice the comparative drawing method, develop observational skill and speed... and verify accuracy.
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