Getting into sketching

Personally, I aim for creating art with accurate underlying drawings. Someday that might change, but for now I get frustrated when I cannot play with colors or paint as I would like because I am too absorbed in drawing. When I draw I am constantly thinking, concentrated on proportions and measurements. When I feel like painting I visualize the colors and try to push values. Those are two completely different states of mind and only one can win at a given time.

Therefore the first step to take is to learn how to draw very, very well. To be able to draw so well I will not even think about it so my focus can shift onto different aspects of art. Since beginning of the year I have been drawing on a semi-regular basis and have noticed improvement. But without the commitment of a scheduled class, I revert to my over-thinking subject-matter-picky self. I need to just do it and practice, which is easier when there is a class to attend or a ticking clock at a live model session.

Chuck Jones often quoted his instructor who said "Everyone has 100,000 bad drawings in them, you better get started." Sketching is a great way of getting all of those bad drawings out of the way. "I do not have enough time" will not be a valid excuse for not sketching. On the upside, "I only had a few minutes" is the perfect excuse for unfinished sloppy scribbles.

Here's to developing a sketching habit, starting with my Travel Sketching class. Eventually I will get around to taking photos of my new sketchbook. In the meantime, I am having way too much fun reading this journey.  Recommended for anyone who paints or wants to paint.

Recent doodles + pens and markers

Here goes.

 

 

Recently I have been drawing with pens. Pens have an intimidating permanence, and I am trying to force my way out of this irrational fear. I'm proud of this next one, one of my first true contour drawings.

 

 

Also got to try out some markers I got.