Recently my friend Haidee-Jo asked if I could give her a few tips on sketching to share with her students in one of her painting workshops. I put together these 10 tips which I also felt I needed to share here. Enjoy them and enjoy the sketches too!
1. There's only one thing that can stop you from being a sketching machine-your eyesight-make sure its good, make sure your sketching hand trusts your eyesight.
2. There's always something called the overall view of anything. Let this be the most important thing you aim for while sketching anything. Never get bogged down with details.
3. Your sketching equipment-I don't care what you use. Just make sure you understand everything that it can do. That way you become a master of the material. The way to master the material is to love it, play with it, experiment with it, do everything possible with it, until you know every single thing it is capable of doing.
4. You are a unique individual, there is something about you that everyone needs to know. That's why we don't look the same, so why should our drawings and paintings? Get to sketch loads and loads and loads, until you become you and nothing but you.
5. You look at your sketches and you feel proud-(good!) But beware of being comfortable with what you are producing now. Strive for more, long for the best you can ever be.
6. You look at your sketches and you feel low(-bad!) Never let where you are now determine your pathway. Always have a healthy, comfortable view of what you have done and NEVER communicate that low feeling when talking about your work.
7. When sketching, it's all about time. If you have a longer time, make that your pace. And if you have shorter time make that your pace. It's always about how much time you have at your disposal.
8. Your mind is everything when it comes to solid sketches. Always have it at the back of your mind the words, IT IS POSSIBLE.
9. If you don't like perspective don't worry. What you need to like is the reality of how things need to appear in distance to create a meaningful use of space in the three-dimensional on a two dimensional surface. Sometimes its just the word that scares us not the meaning.
10. Finally, there's nothing that can stop you from progressing to the next stage of your career! The only thing is YOU. Believe in yourself!
SPECIAL QUOTE
"HASTE IS THE ARTIST'S WORST ENEMY"-I heard while in College
wonderful post-thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, you are welcome!
ReplyDeleteWhen you sketch people on public transport, do you ask their permission? I always carry a sketch pad and sketch in waiting rooms but feel quite embarrassed in case people may object.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Thanks Diana, its very hard to ask every single person for permission. I just sketch and with a bit of experience make sure they are aware so we get to talk, wink, or smile at each other- this always prompts a discussion. Once you know what you are doing is no harm to anyone you'll be okay but then if anyone did object, I'll respect their opinion, in about 13 years of doing this almost every time I'm on public transport -I have only had 2 clear objections. Hope this helps you to get the needed confidence to keep sketching and loving it. Loads of people have requested I send these sketches to them via email and I have made loads of friends on the tube this way. It's your passion keep it burning!
ReplyDeleteHi,Adebanji,
ReplyDeleteCheers for you!
Yey, me, too, a sketch lover!!
Kind regards,Sadami
Thanks Sadami, it's what we love to do!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Nice to know that people don't mind being sketched. Like Diana above I feel uncomfortable sketching in public in case anyone objects, but maybe I need to just get over that and enjoy the sketching...
ReplyDeleteThat's the spirit Sharon! From my experience many people just remain shell shocked and fascinated that this can even be done on a fast moving train in the first place.
ReplyDeleteGreat post,thankyou for sharing your knowledge and experience!!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Azra! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Adebanji,
ReplyDeleteYou're an inspiration ;)
Thanks Ray, To God Be The Glory!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble with points 10 and 6. I do get down on my work sometimes and forget I shouldn't tear myself apart in front of others. It can be hard when the piece feels so very flawed, the easiest thing to do with pottery it never show anyone your bad pots, just don't fire them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joseph! Please try and remember this: Don't tear yourself down in front of others!-The funny thing is, I have no explanation to support this point but from experience it doesn't make us any better!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes in believing in oneself you just have to! Again no other explanation to support this but that not believing in oneself doesn't get us any better.
Keep on-The struggle continues!!
Good sketches and tips. I especially like no.9; very good take on perspective.
ReplyDeleteThanks A. Decker!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the reply. I will try to be a bit more open about it and not worry if people see what I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Diana, I am wishing the best!
ReplyDeleteAdmire your stuff but don't think I've said anything until now. Thanks for the tips. I've thought a lot about sketching on location and am attempting to get more out of my shell. Slowly, slowly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Moody! It's always great to get encouraging comments. I am also happy you are coming out of your shell, it's the way to go!
ReplyDelete