You raise an important issue: what do we actually want to express with our art? It is a more difficult and longer path from amateur to artist than from beginner to amateur. Learning drawing techniques is (an important!) means to an end, and you have to be careful not to get stuck in it. But now comes the real challenge: what do we have to say with of our art? What is our concern?
Great video! At first technical exercises seem intimidating. You've gone over so many hurdles that now they are in the comfort zone. So it's time to venture into the unknown one again and this time start looking for that personal expression - this is where it gets really exciting. It's not easy though!
I think one of my problems is I expect too much of myself as a beginner. I've been a beginner for a long time because i practice on and off for long periods. It's like you said improvement is so gradual it's hard to notice. I've definitely improved but it still feels like good drawings happen by accident.
I know just what you mean about good drawings happening more by accident than design. I can't always isolate what I did better/differently in a successful drawing vs an unsuccessful one, so I can't repeat whatever it was I did.
Happy new year, Charlotte! I am so glad you shared your less than perfect journey so far, it’s a bit tiring to see all the perfection around the internet. From my point of view you have already accomplished a lot, and to challenge yourself I suggest the path I followed - and which, after a long break, I intend to follow again: draw everything around you, simple line drawings directly in ink/pen. All the mistakes will be there, very humbling. 😅 After a month of this one-drawing-a-day, pick one of those monthly challenges like Doodlewash. I used to get the promtpts and pick photographs on Pinterest, again one-a-day. Materials varied, colored pencils and watercolor mostly, the photos inspired me to color. The goal was to get into the habit and have fun. Most of those drawings are far from perfect but, like you said, they are recognizable and I had a full sketchbook in the end. I think you just need to add fun to your studies - you’re obviously disciplined enough to take the next step after that and improve on whatever subjects interest you most.
I find all of this so relatable - there’s such a comfort in having a clear-cut roadmap to all of this. There’s also, for me at least, such a fear of making that bad art again (especially after trying for so long to -not- make bad art) when trying to push boundaries that mentally I’d rather not even engage with it. I avoided color for so long for that reason! But I also have to remind myself that in that discomfort is where so much progress is made. Also - as a long time lurker who has stumbled across your videos off and on over the years, it is so comforting to see someone else on the same path and I’m excited to see what 2024 bring you.
I agree, it's so hard to give up on the little bit of competence I've achieved in order to do something I am almost certain will fail! But like you say, progress comes from making yourself just a little bit uncomfortable, so I guess we will have to grit our teeth and make ourselves do it this year! Best of luck with your art this year!
You raise an important issue: what do we actually want to express with our art? It is a more difficult and longer path from amateur to artist than from beginner to amateur. Learning drawing techniques is (an important!) means to an end, and you have to be careful not to get stuck in it. But now comes the real challenge: what do we have to say with
of our art? What is our concern?
Great video! At first technical exercises seem intimidating. You've gone over so many hurdles that now they are in the comfort zone. So it's time to venture into the unknown one again and this time start looking for that personal expression - this is where it gets really exciting. It's not easy though!
It really isn't easy -- but I think it will be worth doing!
I think one of my problems is I expect too much of myself as a beginner. I've been a beginner for a long time because i practice on and off for long periods. It's like you said improvement is so gradual it's hard to notice. I've definitely improved but it still feels like good drawings happen by accident.
I know just what you mean about good drawings happening more by accident than design. I can't always isolate what I did better/differently in a successful drawing vs an unsuccessful one, so I can't repeat whatever it was I did.
Happy new year, Charlotte! I am so glad you shared your less than perfect journey so far, it’s a bit tiring to see all the perfection around the internet. From my point of view you have already accomplished a lot, and to challenge yourself I suggest the path I followed - and which, after a long break, I intend to follow again: draw everything around you, simple line drawings directly in ink/pen. All the mistakes will be there, very humbling. 😅 After a month of this one-drawing-a-day, pick one of those monthly challenges like Doodlewash. I used to get the promtpts and pick photographs on Pinterest, again one-a-day. Materials varied, colored pencils and watercolor mostly, the photos inspired me to color. The goal was to get into the habit and have fun. Most of those drawings are far from perfect but, like you said, they are recognizable and I had a full sketchbook in the end. I think you just need to add fun to your studies - you’re obviously disciplined enough to take the next step after that and improve on whatever subjects interest you most.
Happy New Year! Thanks for your ideas, I'll definitely look into those prompt lists. Good luck with picking up your own drawing practice again!
youre so well spoken and articulate! i love these vlogs.
Thank you so much!!
I find all of this so relatable - there’s such a comfort in having a clear-cut roadmap to all of this. There’s also, for me at least, such a fear of making that bad art again (especially after trying for so long to -not- make bad art) when trying to push boundaries that mentally I’d rather not even engage with it. I avoided color for so long for that reason! But I also have to remind myself that in that discomfort is where so much progress is made.
Also - as a long time lurker who has stumbled across your videos off and on over the years, it is so comforting to see someone else on the same path and I’m excited to see what 2024 bring you.
I agree, it's so hard to give up on the little bit of competence I've achieved in order to do something I am almost certain will fail! But like you say, progress comes from making yourself just a little bit uncomfortable, so I guess we will have to grit our teeth and make ourselves do it this year! Best of luck with your art this year!