I can not for the life of me get over the hump of doing the initial outline and then the detail. I am inpatient when it comes to this and when I start trying to draw and I see that it doesnt look good I stop. I have all the equipment but (pastels, pencils,charcoal, acrylic paint, brushes, etc. ) but I cant bring myself to begin anything. I think Im stuck on it looking like a finished piece before I even start and its intimidating and discouraging. Please help me get over this stupid hump.
My advice is to quit thinking about it and jump in. Let your fingers go, think about something else and release your mind. I guess it sounds weird but remember no one else has to see it if you don't want them to so no one is going to judge you. If you think of what you want it to look like finished ahead of time that's good but put it aside as you begin. I promise you will know what to do- like riding a bike or roller skating. You don't concentrate on every movement, you just go and listen to the song playing in your head and all along your feet do what they need to without your help.
Doing routine works any one will get bored.So take a break and start newly so you will get fresh thoughts and chance to complete it quickly.
Boosoblu,
You are not alone. All of us have had frustrations simliar to what you are experiencing. At one point or another, we have all thought that it would be nice to skip the preliminary work and get right to the final stage of a drawing or painting. This is natural.
It all depends on how good an artist you want to be. If you want, you can draw for your own amusement. There is nothing wrong with that. However, have you ever wondered just how good an artist you could be? Have you ever longed to share your feelings about the world around you with others? If so, ask yourself how good an artist you would like to be in the next two years—the next five years. Rather than being impatient with the picture you are working on, set a long-range goal for yourself. This is much more exciting and can put your efforts in perspective.
With a long-range goal in mind, every drawing or painting takes you a step closer to what you want to achieve.
You can not produce the kind of work you want to do by putting your mind on automatic pilot—or turning on music and getting into a creative trance. The way to produce good work is to start working like a professional. Decide that you want to sharpen every bit of talent you have. Obtain a couple of good books on how to draw and use them like work books. Learn the basic procedures—learn the preliminary drawing methods. This will be work, some of it will be hard work but all of it will be fun. And, you will be progressing toward a marvelous personal goal.
Paul sullivan
http://www.paulsullivanstudio.com
Pkcrios,
It is hard for me to just jump in because as soon as I do I find my mind going blank and the I start erasing everything. I will however try and just take my mind off of perfection when my pencil hits the paper and start slowly building the picture in my mind. Thanks so much!
Kushy,
Thank You Im going to try that also because I do find myself trying to start the same thing over and over. Then it gets even more frustrating.
Thank you
Paul Sullivan,
I want to be a great artist I want to be able to draw and paint beautiful things but my impatience and lack of skill put together cause me to think its not possible. I see beautiful works of art and become intimidated because it seems impossible. But I will get a few books and continue trying my best.
boosoblu—
You are taking the right step. Get a couple of good books and use them as work books.
Try to be a little easier on yourself. Take it one step at a time. For example, in the next three months practice the begining of a drawing. Learn to capture the basic shapes. From there go to more finished renderings. Set a long-range goal for yourself. This is very important.
Save some of your current drawings and compare them to the work you will be doing in three months and in a year. Chances are, you will be very happy and surprised at your progress.
Good luck—Paul
I read and study other artists books and magazine articles and watch the videos thru this website. I find many will state they start with a vision and finish it thru with many value sketches and composition checks etc. and others will simply make a gesturing line or two and let the idea develop itself as they work. For me it should be fun and relaxing. I find if I fret over each brush stroke or pastel strike early in the painting I end up with a tight rendering and need to see each and every "hair". I am trying to loosen up and be more suggestive with my work. It seems to take time do define your style and let your skills flow through and we are all different in our approach. Just keep working at it.
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