After 3 frustrating weeks at my self-imposed drawing school, I finally turned a corner this week. Not only am I enjoying drawing, but I am starting to like the results. A few changes helped facilitate my new found enjoyment.
- I switched from pencil to pen, which means no more fussing about lines, and rubbing out the ones I don’t like. Once a line is down, that’s it, I have to live with it. This alone makes drawing more relaxing and enjoyable, plus, I think errant lines add to the character of a drawing.
- I switched from using other people’s sketches as a reference to using photographs. While using sketches is a great place to start (as you can see where to put individual lines), there’s no satisfaction in the result, because the drawing is not really yours.
- Once I began drawing from photographs I was able to start drawing friends and family, which makes me very happy.
One of the people I love to draw the most is my mum, I think because her lovely personality comes out in the drawings.
Of all the drawings I did this week, my favourite is of my fella when he won the Isle of Man Field Archery Championship. Sure I made him 6’3″, but I think I did a pretty good job nonetheless.
Since my corner-turn, I can’t stop drawing. All my sketch pads are filling up, and when I walk down the street, I keep seeing people I’d like to draw. It’s such a relief that I actually enjoy drawing, as well as show some aptitude for it, as it would be impossible to make the paintings I have in mind without it. I have big plans for my drawing, so I still have a long way to go, but the progress I made this week makes me hopeful. Of course, the biggest win is that I enjoy it.
bexODESSA 