Drawing Blues - A Thread for Budding Artists
 

Hey all you budding artists out there. LOL. I think I'm going through some drawing blues right now. Here's my situation. It's been years since I've really made a choice to get back into drawing. As a child, I loved drawing. I drew on anything that I could get my hands on. Blank paper, lined paper, white spaces in books, on the wall, eeeverywhere. LOL. My family was never supportive of my artistic side so it was never really nurtured. Still, I drew whenever I had the opportunity and then I sort of lost interest.

Now, for whatever reason, I've kind of decided to get back into it but I've realized something. I don't like my drawings. I feel like I've got the potential to produce some decent drawings, but something's keeping me from getting there. I'm starting drawings and not finishing them. It's frustrating. I'm not even sure if my drawings are good or what constitutes as good or what. LOL. I'd love to overcome this hump and start posting artwork on here like many people have already, but I seem to be my biggest hurdle.

I dont think any artist is ever pleased with their work, just draw and that becomes youre style dont imitate because thats when you start to compare and no 2 artists are the same look at Jack Kirby, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Frank Cho all amazing artists in their own right. I, may have to post sone of my drawings when I get a chance.

I went to school for design. The hardest part is trying to figure out your style when you're exposed to others who are good in their own way. Trying to overcome your own expectations are tough. You might have a a sense of what you want to see, yet it may not translate onto paper the way you would hope.

Yeah, or sometimes I draw better than other times and it doesn't really make sense to me why that is. It's like on some days, I forget how to draw. Then other days, I'm like "Yeah, this isn't bad!" but I almost always go back to it and go "Hmmm... this sucks..." LOL.

Post some of your drawings and we can give you constructive criticism if youd like. Most important aspect is if you enjoy drawing which it seems like you do. Dont let others discourage you and do what you love to do whether they are excellent or not.
It only matters if you get on the bike, not where your going on the bike. :)

I wouldn't worry what others think. Art is not something that can be definitively said is good or bad. There are varying levels. Not everyone will like everything...

I think the best advice I can give here sounds simple, but will really help you out:

Draw!

Yep, the most obvious is the most profound advice I can give. Honestly, I need to practice what I preach, too, as I've gotten in my own slump over the last few years. But, yeah, draw even when you don't like what your making. Finish it to the point to where you're either finished or not engaged anymore, then move on to drawing something else. The main thing is to just keep drawing through it.

Also, I highly recommend using reference materials and drawing from life.

I'll be bold here and say that I just don't agree with this. "Art" is not totally relative. While there is some room for relativity, a "bad" piece of art that doesn't follow form and other established rules of art is simply "bad". There's a difference between what I may personally find pleasing and what I can recognize as sub-par artwork. One is satisfying my own desires, while the other comes from objective art criticism.

Also, one of the main functions of art is communication. Even if I draw for myself, "self" is my audience. Don't get me wrong, I am playing devil's advocate a bit here to stress my point as well. Should I worry to the point of just not drawing regarding what an audience may think? No way! Should I take no care as to what an audience needs from me (clear communication of ideas)? Of course!

I used to draw all the time as a kid too. My brother and I wsould draw little 10 page comics and show them to each other. Some of the books we did had 100's of issues.

Like you, somewhere along the line I lost the time to sit down and draw. I still have the urge though. When I do put pen to paper, like you; I am often unsatisfied with the results.

My girlfriend desperately wants me to draw her, but I can't because I'm afraid of how my drawing will be recieved.

thechris, keep drawing. I understand that you aren't always happy with the results, but if out of every few things you create one stands out as unique than you've accomplished a lot.