Learning to draw
Drawing is fucking hard.
Just want to say that. I've been kinda absent here on Steemit lately because I've been focused on figuring out how to make ink look good on paper. Though, thinking about it I should probably be posting about the process I'm going through, hehe. What started as a way to get some of my frustration about life out has turned into something, well, a bit more. It's been a strange evolutionary process and now I'm selling prints...such weird journey.
I've been kind of obsessed with warriors and kimono. Probably because the original idea way back was to start drawing stuff for a short story series I started way back. I believe it was called BURNING BLADE, and I still have some ideas and places that I want to take it. Also, I lived in Asia for a bit over 6 years, so there's that lovely influence as well. And, there's something about the warriors code, their strength, determination, focus on one thing alone because if they fail at what they do...they die. And, the grace and beauty of kimono. The art, the history, the ceremony of it all. The yin and the yang...at least for me and where my head's at right now.
That's actually kind of an impasse I just reached.
I mean, I've been going nuts with drawing for the last several months...3 now I think. Twelve sketchbooks filled with trying. And I'm beginning to wonder what's next. I had a great conversation with a life-long artist yesterday over some homegrown hippie weed. They were able to confirm some theories I had begun to form about creativity and originality. I think I've even written a couple article about them. The process of imitation and repetition until finally you take over, stop copying, and start creating.
It's a frustrating process though.
I mean, it's awesome to see things like proportions, perspective, lines, getting better. But suddenly the fear of not being creative, that the ability to imagine for myself and bring that stuff into reality, is becoming real. Am I creative? Am I an artist? Do I really have something worthwhile to say? Do I need to have something worthwhile to say? I spent 7 years as a photographer asking the same questions and never came up with an answer...
I know to some they sound like pretentious questions. I mean, the drawings are cool, I'm obviously getting skilled, and most people would kill to get to this level (anyone can do it if you put enough time in FYI). Why am I worried about such things?
Maybe it harkens back to a deeper psychological mindset I have when it comes to doing stuff.
Like, with exercise. I've never gotten the concept. I mean, I understand the purpose. But, exercise for the sake of exercise has always seemed pointless to me. Why not learn how to dance? Or a martial art? Or, whatever actually teaches you something more than just to lift things or pedal in place? Action should have purpose. Without purpose, why do it?
Does anyone else ever ask that question of themselves?
Or have those thoughts? I'm truly curious as I like to find and commune with like-minded individuals. I know if there's one of me, according to statistics there will likely me millions just like me.
So, here I am. Learning to draw. Practicing pretty much every day. Hoping to get better, hoping to find the purpose. Drawing, I know, is only the first step on the journey I want to take. That I am taking. And, I guess, the purpose of this post is to remind myself of that. To not get stuck in the details, and fall into an eddy of doubt about what I'm doing, and to just trust in the process. Because, every time I trust in the process, make sure to put in the foundation, and just keep building at a regular rate, things happen, and they're usually good.
The pics here are just an evolution of what's been going on.
From medium to medium, tool to tool, subject to subject, style to style, etc.. I've been obsessed with marker lately, so that's why most of the pics are marker. But I've gotten back to pen so get better at details as of yesterday...
These were all the ones I did in 8.5x11 books. The dollar store where I shop ran out of those so now I'm drawing in 11x18's. It was definitely a crazy switch. Those of you who draw know what I'm talking about. As if 8.5x11 wasn't scary enough...and some day I want to be painting on canvases that span rooms...
I hope you enjoyed these!
I'm going to try and keep a better daily log of what's going on so it's not like, 'here 50 images I did in the last week!' kinda of thing. Like travel photos...people only want to look at so much and hear so much.
...and on that note, thanks for stopping by and looking! Would love to hear what you think.
Michael
Oh, and if you want to buy some of my original drawings here is a gallery to look through. If you see something you like, let me know in a comment or via email and we'll work something out :) I'm not famous (yet) so they're pretty cheap. $10/ea + $10s/h.
Gallery of original drawings for sale
Related posts
Hard work versus talent
BURNING BLADE SAGA ART UPDATE!
Amazing illustrations.
Thanks! Slowly getting better :) Got a bunch still to show off that are newer...though the drawings I'm doing with details are a little less glamorous, hehe.
Enter art contests and look into artzone. Fantastic work!
Unleash your creativity 22-29/01 ! List of ongoing drawing, painting and crafts contests published by @becometheartist
https://steemit.com/contest/@becometheartist/unleash-your-creativity-19-03-26-03-list-of-ongoing-drawing-painting-and-crafts-contests
Thanks! I have that contest post open in a different window. Will definitely check it out later :)
Mike , I am glad you were picked up by @fitinfun for this contest . due to your Rep I was unable to sponsor you . You were on my list . I was going through the applicants and came across this . I glad you started drawing and hope you will still keep up with the videos
Good luck to you ,I'll be rooting for you and you should thing about entering the contest yourself :)
dinosaurs
Morning! No worries. The double edge sword of having a high rep even though sponsorship would be awesome, hehe. Yeah, was at a meetup yesterday with some of my pals from #socalsteemit and they said I should get to doing some more videos too. So, this morning I recorded a new one. I'd leave a link but the file is still uploading...
I'll have to check into the contest. So many things going on right now, hehe. Lots of forces pulling me in a lot of directions.
Hope you have an awesome day!
Very interesting post.
In response, as a writer, let me just say, "Writing if fucking hard." But it's something I enjoy doing, and something that often produces decent results.
I'm sure the same goes for your drawing. Just a few glances at your above sketches shows that your efforts at the "fucking hard" task of drawing are definitely worthwhile and worth any and all effort you put in.
Also, I really liked your comments about doing crap that you don't wanna do.
I too find exercise pointless, even tho I realize that it's necessary. So, I cycle (which I find very enjoyable and can do for hours at at time.) And now, I swim everyday (largely to cool down here in Thailand0>
While I will spend hours cycling through greenery or along riversides or waterfronts, and hours paddling around the pool, you won't catch me dead in the gym which is right beside the pool.
(note ... I came here after seeing your intro on FitinFun's post.)
All the best with your creative efforts, and Full Steem Ahead.
Thanks for coming by! Noticed that @fitinfun nominated me for an awesome award which was super awesome. I didn't fit in the requirements though :\ Too high...of a rep, hehe.
Yeah, there's a forest of crap we have to fight through with our writing/drawing/whatever to finally get somewhere. People keep talking about talent...but, after spending 2-3 hours a day at it, I'm like, my talent is not giving up, not creating art, hehe. I think that's true about a lot of people who are really good at things. They just keep doing and don't give up while other people get frustrated, make up some reasons, then move on.
Yeah, unless exercise has a point, what's the point? You can keep just as healthy doing things that get you somewhere, do something for you, or teach you something, as sitting in a boring-ass gym, hehe.
Same to you! Thanks for dropping by and chatting. Hope you have an awesome day :)
Drawing may be hard, but why do you make it look so fucking easy? These drawings are nothing short of #badassery
lol. Thanks! Just drawing and drawing. It looks easy because I'm just really good at marketing :D
love the geisha lady with the fan!! so awesome.
Thanks for the compliment :) Getting better slowly but surely. Someday my geisha stuff will be super awesome, hehe.
I think its perfect the way it is! Frame it and call it Minimalist Art.
Lol. Someday. I do love her hands... getting that kind of motion in simple lines...ack, so hard. :)