Next week my drawing classes begin – one course is Drawing for Beginners, and the other is Figure Drawing. I am so looking forward to working hard, as well as playing hard, in order to hone my drawing skills. I’m also hoping that these skills will complement my painting skills.
I have been enthusiastically purchasing supplies and am in love with my new sketch pad. Art materials always make me happy.
I wish I could tell you, dear readers, that I feel completely confident about the upcoming classes. Truth is, I am not. While I am enthusiastic, I am not so sure I can create renderings I find satisfactory.
I believe the figure drawing course, in particular, will present challenges. I took a figure drawing class over 20 years ago, so I wonder, will I still be able to draw? I don’t believe this class is focusing on the nude form, but I’m not sure what to expect.
I am nervous and intimidated that I have to measure up to my own high expectations. And what if I go back to the days when I compared my work with others’? I don’t want to tap into my previous insecurities – okay, I see I’m already doing that – which also include perfectionism.
My biggest trepidation involves gesture drawings, which comprise a good portion of my figure drawing class. Basically, a gesture drawing is a quick (anywhere from roughly 30 seconds to 5 minutes) sketch of a person’s pose, with the focus on the pose rather than the details.
Historically, I haven’t been particularly confident with gesture drawings. Getting timed unnerves me. And I get bogged down in the details like clothing and facial expressions rather than focusing on just the pose itself.
I’ve therefore been practicing gesture drawings with my daughter, just to learn how to focus on poses and shapes, and she’s a wonderful teacher. We are continuing to practice, and I’m feeling more confident that I can create gestures in class without internally freaking out.
I have to re-learn to relax in class, and tap into the joy I feel when creating art. The following are my core beliefs, which I have covered consistently in my Substack. I need to remember these core beliefs, which will help me enjoy my drawing courses.
It is a privilege to take art classes, and for this, I am lucky and grateful.
Drop perfectionism. There is no such thing as perfect.
The comparison game is a losing game; therefore, I must not compare myself with anyone else. After all, the universe has room for every artist and every style.
Enjoy the flow.
Practice and practice often, with a beginner’s mindset.
Although the final outcome is something I look forward to, the process is what really matters to me.
Enjoy the process.
For this week, I have been working on two challenging paintings. I finished the clouds of my recent landscape painting and will focus on the greenery next:
I have also started a new painting that will be of rocks, foliage, and eventually a small waterfall that will flow into a small pond:
I just laid out shapes and basic colors for this one. The bottom rock is way too large, and I have other changes to make in order to create interest and make the painting’s composition work.
I can't wait to see the finished paintings! I love the clouds.
In my senior center class the teacher is always saying - "paint the what makes you happy and don't compare yourself to anyone else. We will all develop our own style."
I entered our county's senior art contest. No ribbons for me but I got inspired by those who submitted watercolors. So I hope to do more watercolors in the future.
Oh, Beth, you never fail to inspire! I love that you are continuing on your path of learning and growth — and that you are nervous but, nonetheless, bravely moving forward. That's a commitment to self-care, expansion, and refusing to stay small. I think, as artists, it is essential that we keep collaborating, working together, learning from one another, and staying in collusion with each other's work and knowledge! There are two important quotes from painters that come to mind here: Vincent van Gogh: “If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” I love that, and it applies to writers, too! Also, our beloved Georgia O'Keeffe said: “You are more courageous than you give yourself credit for.” And I believe that- our day-in-and-day-out sacrifices- our commitment to showing up here on Substack to spill and share and evolve! It takes bravery; let's be brave, Beth! The little side note is that I love the idea of you getting excited about gathering your tools — papers, colors, brushes, and so on! That's part of the grand "Anticipation" of it all- these are good days! Let's celebrate them, my friend~!!