There has been some discussion about growing artistically through participation in the Everyday Matters Group. I can wholeheartedly attest to this phenomenon.One of the latest challenge is to draw a remote. Just to illustrate the artistic progress that I personally see that I have made since joining in on the EDM challenges, I am posting this drawing of a TV remote that I did back in May 2007-the month and year I started this blog. (I didn't post it earlier because-in my naivete-I didn't think it was much of anything.)
It is one of the first drawings I did after reading Danny Gregory book: Creative License. Even though I had always thought of myself as a creative person, I hadn't really deliberately drawn much of anything prior to this. So, I guess I'm saying that-to me-there has been a rewarding progression in my own work-looking at this drawing and what I have drawn since, spurred on by my participation in EDM...so, thanks to all.
Now a year and a half later, however, I am in the equivalent of "writer's block". I look at the recent drawings I have completed (which I am very happy with) and I think to myself: "who did these?..."I don't have any recollection of doing any of these strokes or choosing those colors". It is an odd paradox to be experiencing, to be looking at my own drawings and feeling like they are the vestiges of some kind of 'creative wave' I caught at particular times but that-now-the 'wind' has subsided and the shoreline has receded...and how can one conjure or pursue something that seems to originate outside of oneself to begin with?
Don't get me wrong. I realize the potency of conundrums like this...and so be it if my drawing production level is on a slow burn. I know the key is to put oneself on the path through practice and to be willing to relearn everything with a beginner's mind...and to just outright claim one's talent; but...damn.
...just waxing about the artistic process, fellow artist.
(Originally posted Nov. 08, 2008)
Nonetheless, it hasn't been a total desert. I did do this 2 minute blind contour drawing of EDM #14: Draw the First Thing You See When You Wake Up in the Morning!
...yeah, right.
6 comments:
Rock, I think this is very specific to drawing - every once in a while you need to stop for a few days - or more - to take a distance from what you've done until that point. To digest what you've produced, to pause for a moment, to forget, and to decide which direction to go next.
I always compared the difference between drawing and - for example - oil painting, to the difference between running and driving a car. It's more physical (also for the mind!), you need to stop and breathe more often.
Such breaks are necessary - and always beneficial - for the drawings that follow.
Your remote isn't bad but in comparison to your store picture, I can see how you've grown. Hope I do to.
To help with the block, the best remedy I have come across and tried and found to work too is:
Sit down and work for 10 minutes. Just do it!
I was surprised to find that although I didn't feel like drawing, or have anything I wanted to draw, when I sat down and started drawing something, anything, with the idea of just 10 minutes I found myself getting into it and enjoying myself again. Hope this helps you.
Your drawing has certainly become more sophisticated - maybe you need to harness it in some sort of ongoing project or goal which can build in momentum to carry one through dry spots.
Being blocked is tough. Freebird has the right idea. Make an appointment with yourself, sit down with your paper, tools, and a kitchen timer. Set it for ten minutes and wait.
If you can sit for 10 minutes with your drawing tools, you have succeeded. Reward yourself with a jelly bean.
Try it again tomorrow.
If you find yourself doodling, that counts as drawing.
If you draw an EDM challenge, that counts towards the 10 minutes.
The trick is to have small successes.
If you hand out for more then 10 minutes, drawing, don't be too hard on yourself. just come back to it tomorrow.
When you have consistently spent 10 minutes a day drawing, increase the time by five minutes.
And remember the jelly bean. I know that it sounds silly, but a small physical reward will bring you back tomorrow. Jelly bean, mint, something intensely sweet. Only it must be small (Not a whole bag of M&M's).
You have talent, that is obvious. Just give it a little time to grow.
it's very encouraging for a beginner like me to see how your style and skill have grown. The result of all that hard work (maybe time to take a moment to feel proud of yourself?)
As for the block - it's awful to go through but it won't last. try something new? new materials, subject, drawing at odd times, to random rules you've set etc. i find 50 drawings in 4 hours is an intense and fun way to blast through a block. Just get a couple of friends over, lots of materials and a pile of 50 sheets of paper, set the timer and you're off. You'll be amazed what you can come up with.
(this idea is from 'Experimental Drawing' by robert Kaupelis - a fab book.
You're work is lovely. keep it up!
Your words have me thinking... I've just finished Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way and she explains this process wonderfully. Personnally I need to have a purpose to do things, so when I don't feel like drawing just for fun, I do it with a deadline, to give to someone for a special occasion, for example. So I feel obliged, but I still have fun in the process.
I love your drawings, and I sent you an award. You can pick it up on my blog if you feel like it. Hope you'll find your own motivation and produce more great drawings for us to admire!
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