At ÀNI Art Academies, every artist’s journey begins with a single, deliberate stroke. In the Language of Drawing(LOD) section, that first step is formalized in a training phase we call First Marks—a foundational curriculum built on the simplest elements of image-making: the dot, the line, and the shape.
These may seem like modest beginnings. But don’t be fooled. Behind every mark is a rigorous process rooted in perceptual science, deliberate practice, and the development of visual fluency.
Why Start with the Basics?
In the First Marks phase, students engage with guided exercises, such as the Origin-Destination Line and Shape Replication (see below), developing not only control over their materials but also a deep understanding of how perception and action work together. These exercises train the eye, hand, and mind to coordinate with increasing precision and adaptability.
“These initial exercises are not warm-ups—they are neuroplastic scaffolds. They build the visual-motor competencies necessary for all future complexity.” — Anthony Waichulis, Head Instructor
By focusing on what might seem like elementary forms, students are actually laying the groundwork for the sophisticated representational work that follows. Each task is a calibrated opportunity to explore the mechanics of pressure-value relationships, perceptual chunking, and motor adaptability—cornerstones of the curriculum’s structured development process.
Deliberate Practice, Not Repetition
What makes these exercises so effective is their alignment with the science of deliberate practice, a model of skill acquisition championed by psychologist K. Anders Ericsson. Unlike rote repetition, deliberate practice involves structured tasks that target specific components of performance, offer immediate feedback, and allow for problem-solving and refinement over time.
“Expert performance doesn’t emerge from experience alone. It’s built through intentional, feedback-driven work that challenges your current limits.” — K. Anders Ericsson, The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise
In this way, First Marks isn’t just an introduction—it’s an invitation into a new way of learning: one that turns seemingly simple marks into the building blocks of visual language.
