3 Ways to turn Drawing Despair into Action - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

It's January, time to start new things. Your new sketchbook and pencils are ready; you want to draw. Flush with excitement you start.

Oh no. That line is wrong, you erase, you start again.  Erase.  Draw a bit more, not quite happy but  keep going.  “I am not going to erase, just draw’” You say to yourself.  But then, it's not right.  Erase some more.  Slowly but surely your confidence wanes and you become discouraged. 

Simple but nice study of a flower

We have all been there.

I did not go to art school.  I did not take art classes in high school. But I did have that passion to create. My journey took me first to fiber and fabric and then to drawing. Learning to draw was a hard journey with many emotional ups and downs. You wonder, how did I keep going.  I learned from my students at school.  I taught in a high school Learning Center helping students with Learning Disabilities cope with school and its demands.  They wanted to be successfully but learning was a frustrating experience for them.

They taught me a lot.

1.    Give yourself little encouragers to keep going: 

No I don’t mean a piece of chocolate when you finish a page, but if that helps try it.  With drawing, it’s the little things that make you feel good.  Materials you like, a sketchbook that is right for your medium. This is not the time to ‘make do’.  Big Books can bog you down – 9 x 12 is nice in the studio 5.5 x 8 for field work.

Working with light and shadows

Start on page 2.  That first blank page has way too much power, flip the page and start working.  You can always glue a special picture on the first page, make it a title page or leave it as a cover. 

Large repetitious areas are discouraging and bog you down. If you are bored, move around the picture.  Mix it up.  Detail work then back to boring fill type areas.  Also, Don’t feel you have to finish every picture.  This is a sketchbook.  Have a focus skill you want to work on, once its done, move on if you like. 

2.    Make that inner critic work for you not against you
Developing a good inner critic is important.  Being able to critic your own work really helps your work improve. But you need to make it work with you.  When you work, stop, look at what is happening on the page.  (If you are sitting, put your book on an easel and step back).

 I know this is when that destructive voice takes over. Beat it to the punch. Ask yourself: What do I like about this picture? What is my favourite spot? What makes it so good?  How can I use that in other parts of the drawing?  See, you have him busy giving you good feedback that is productive. 

Ink & Coloured Pencil - I find this intriguing, it seems to show the stages of development.

3.    Celebrate your successes

I think this is something that is so easy to take for granted.  The drawing is done, you turn the page and move on.  I work in graphite which smudges after a while in a sketchbook.  When I finish a drawing that has lots of shading, I give it a light spray with fixative so it will stay nice. I put my book on an easel at the end of my drawing session. I enjoy my drawings. When I come back into my studio, it gives me a lift to see what I have done. Looking through my book feels good, I have nice, clean pictures to look back on. I can see where I came from, I can see my improvement, and I celebrate that. 

I love these little pigs - To me being unfinished adds to the interest,

Learning to draw can be a challenging and rewarding experience.  But it also is an emotional rollercoaster.  Keeping yourself moving forward will definitely lead to success. 

Do you have tricks and treats to keep yourself on track?  I’d love to hear what works for you.

Getting your drawing skills going is my focus right now.  Next up: Eraser. Your Friend or Enemy?!

 Take the Plunge and start drawing!  If you want some help I have several ways to help:

1. Zentangle Doodle Card Classes: Thursday, Feb 16, 1:30 - 3:30pm & 6-8pm Expressions Art Gallery, Maple Ridge.  Saturday, Feb. 18, 10:30-12:30 (FULL) & 2-4pm. , Art by Wendy Studio, N. Surrey   $30 Supplies Included. We will be working with mice and owls on our Zentangle Doodle Cards  (you knew I would have animals somewhere) Contact Wendy to REGISTER

2. Buy a few of my Zentangle Doodle Cards and start  Colouring. See my collection here.   They are fabulous fun, just imagine how special your cards will be when you personalize them like that.  Those special people in your life will cherish your cards.

3. Private Drawing Lessons -  2.5 hr sessions in my studio, flexible scheduling to fit your schedule. 3 lesson package $225. Beginners to Adanced are welcome.  Adults, Teens and Younger Students. ( $35 for 1 hour sessions for younger students.) more info here

Special Note to Artists: 

February is Marketing Month for Artists, time to really work on your Business Plan. Join me for a full day of getting ready to make 2017 your Best Sales Year ever.  

All day Marketing Workshop - Let's Get Your Art Out There - Sunday, Feb 26 or March 5, 10-3pm.  This is an opportunity to work with a small group focusing on ways that work for you, to market your art.  Whether you are looking at full time or part Art Sales, there are effective, proven strategies that will get your work out the door. $70 Limited to 8 per session.  Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey, BC.  REGISTER NOW  with Wendy.   Out of Towners  & Skytrainers give me a call and we can set something up.

Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!!

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 Have a great artful day, Wendy