I am an artist. Sometimes I feel it takes a certain amount of gall or hubris for me to introduce myself that way.
I am confident in what I do and the work I produce as an artist. I love textiles, dyeing, stitching and printing, photgoraphy and even digital editing. Yet, I have always had a deep desire to be able to draw well – especially the human figure.
My hidden insecurity comes because I know I have such a very long way to go with my drawing skills.
 |
| Soar III by Lyric Kinard |
Notice I didn’t say that I can’t draw. (Here comes my soapbox lecture.) Too often when the outcome isn’t perfect the first time we try something we give up and say “I can’t.” We must give ourselves TIME and PERMISSION to learn.
We must also DO THE WORK. You know how to read right? It takes a lot of time and effort to learn to read but it can be done. People, even very young children, do it all the time. The same applies to becoming an artist and learning to draw. I’m determined to learn to draw the human figure. So this year, as part of the sketchbook challenge I’m going to draw a lot of people. I’m going to draw at least one face every day. I’ll post them on my blog every Friday and over the course of the year we’ll see what happens.
A few recommendations:
The Structure of Man by Riven Phoenix
Drawing Lab for Mixed Media: 52 creative exercises to make drawing fun Artist by Carla Sonheim
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
5 Comments
Steve Washburn
February 16, 2011 at 7:03 pmIt's good to see these thoughts expressed. Thanks!
Is't the "Structure of Man" series something!
Ruth
January 6, 2011 at 8:54 pmHere, here! I hate it when people say they "can't draw". I've been slowly teaching myself to draw over the last couple of years. But the biggest thing is practice and taking the time to draw. Faces will be an exciting challenge – here's a suggestion for another good book:
Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner by Claire Garcia
Kim Dellow
January 6, 2011 at 8:31 pmI am totally with you! I'm doing the same trying to practise my drawing on a regular bases. I recently bought the Drawing lab book and have been playing with some of the exercises – love it. Thanks for the other recommendations, I shall look them up.
I won't wish you luck because I know you can do it! So I shall wish you fun instead! Enjoy yourself and I can not wait to see the outcomes!
Kim
Robin
January 6, 2011 at 3:16 pmLyric,
Have fun with the sketchbook project. I will be practicing my drawing as well through the Haiku blog. A.Carole Grant decided we should combine the arts of words and visuals.
Good luck and can't wait to see what we accomplish.
Helena (XOXO Parisky)
January 6, 2011 at 1:15 pmThat really is a great idea! 🙂