INTERVIEW WITH JOHN HASTINGS
Inventor and Author of
The Drawing Breakthrough Kit

1. The Drawing Breakthrough Kit is so clearly and simply written that it seems anyone could follow the directions and learn to draw. In your experience as an artist, is this the case, or even with direction is it really only the person with an innate artistic ability who can learn to draw?

I BELIEVE THAT ANYONE WHO CAN PRINT OR SIGN THEIR NAME CAN LEARN TO DRAW USING THE KIT – AND ENJOY DOING IT.

2. Prior to writing The Drawing Breakthrough Kit, you were writing a cookbook. How would you categorize yourself? Author, artist, chef extraordinaire?

I would categorize myself as an analytical thinker. I’m also a person who gets impatient when trying to learn a new skill. The cookbook came from my dissatisfaction with existing cookbooks. They have lots of good recipes. Not knowing how to cook isn’t my problem. Not being organized enough to have food on hand to cook with is my problem. My cookbook will help people do two things: (1) Buy and stock groceries. (2) Cook with the groceries they have on hand.

I’m the type of person who always tries to find an easier way to do things. When I was taking drawing lessons, I decided I wasn’t willing to learn to draw unless I could figure out a faster way to learn.

3. When did you first recognize that you had the ability to draw? And why did you decide to create a system that would teach others?

I first recognized that I had the ability to draw well during a private drawing class about six years ago. My teacher was very encouraging after one particular assignment where I was asked to make contour drawings of objects on a desk. One object looked so three-dimensional that I thought the drawing paper must be raised in that area. I held the paper sideways to see if it was raised. That area was as flat as the rest of the page.

I decided to create a new drawing system for others so that they could enjoy the benefits of being able to draw. That there are aesthetic benefits is pretty obvious. However, there are many practical benefits as well. Imagine someone goes into a hat store, for example, having made a quick sketch to show a clerk which hat they are looking for. How much easier shopping would be. Also, for example, it's a lot easier to take notes if you can draw pictures to augment or replace words.

4. What was your profession prior to becoming an author and an artist? And did you keep your day job, as many authors and artists must do?

I was an electronics technician. But with impending cutbacks in my field, I decided to work full-time on developing The Drawing Breakthrough Kit and related products.

5. What are the differences between learning to draw in class with an instructor and using The Drawing Breakthrough Kit?

In a class setting, you’ll get feedback on your performance from the instructor. If you use my system, you’ll get feedback from your drawings. The difference between learning in a class setting and learning by using my system is in the quality of feedback you’ll receive, the timing of that feedback, and in what the feedback will be about. The Drawing Breakthrough Kit focuses only on a person’s ability to draw lines accurately. It doesn’t address such things as shading, composition, or perspective.

6. Not everyone is meant to be an artist. What are the benefits of learning to draw? Why would someone who knows they have no innate artistic ability want to do so – and why should they do so?

Here’s a list of benefits a person might receive by learning to draw: (1) According to what I’ve read, and I believe this, a person who can draw in proportion will be able to think in proportion – as in “You’ve blown it all out of proportion.” (2) Drawing is relaxing in a meditative way. It’s very difficult to think about anything else while you’re drawing. The same is true of dancing, in my experience. (3) A person who keeps a journal and draws can make a visual record of their life, not just a written record. (4) Drawing is a great communication tool as well as a tool for heightening one’s general visual awareness. (5) It’s a fun challenge and a person can get better and better at it.

My kit offers a systematic approach that will allow a person to get better and better, and they’ll know it each and every time they improve. It’s very motivating.

7. Why and how is The Drawing Breakthrough Kit different or better than similar books and kits already on the market? What makes it unique?

The Drawing Breakthrough Kit is meant to fill a niche. I don’t think it competes with any other drawing methods, but it complements most of them. Some drawing books and kits offer a survey of various drawing techniques and mediums such as charcoal drawing. Other drawing books or kits go from the basics into advanced drawing instruction very rapidly or cover many aspects of drawing.

With the kit, I focus only on hand-eye coordination and on how to draw with lines. I’ve bought and used many drawing books. Usually, within the first or second chapter the author has already advanced beyond what I attempt to teach with my system. Or more accurately, most drawing books and kits seem to assume that a person already has pretty good control of their pen or pencil. The Drawing Breakthrough Kit keeps the student motivated by focusing on the basics until they’re mastered, making it easier for the student to learn.

8. One of the primary techniques taught in The Drawing Breakthrough Kit is learning to draw lines. How does this exercise, in particular, improve a person’s ability to draw?

By drawing shapes and objects made of lines, the kit user will learn how to draw things in proportion without the distraction of shading. Also, learning to draw three types of lines – straight lines, arcs, and elliptical lines – will allow a person to draw any other type of line with confidence. These three types of lines can be used as mental drawing tools to make it easier to draw other lines. The kit offers plenty of opportunity for practice in this regard.

9. What is the demographic for The Drawing Breakthrough Kit? Who would most benefit from using it?

The subject matter is geared toward beginning artists ages 10 to adult. However, a determined five-year-old could use the kit with supervision, and I think many professional artists would find the kit helpful. I’m convinced The Drawing Breakthrough Kit will help any artist at almost any level draw more accurately. Perhaps the people who will benefit the most will be children who have always enjoyed drawing but are becoming more self-conscious as they get older. They’d like to be able to draw accurately.

Contact: Antoinette Kuritz @ STRATEGIES Literary Public Relations
Phone: (858) 467-1978 · Email: akuritz@san.rr.com