watercolor to be
6/20/2010 09:12:00 PM Posted In colored pencil , sketching , watercolor Edit This 13 Comments »
So, I'm still struggling with my art. I've had this strong pull to return to watercolors for quite some time, but I find I've lost my confidence. So, recently I decided to do a painting of a small corner of one of our gardens. I could have photographed it first to make it a tad easier for myself, but I didn't. I decided that I would do a quick sketch followed by a value sketch, then I'd sketch it out on the watercolor paper (which, by the way, I've had sitting next to my drawing table for I don't know how long all stretched and ready to go), and just dive right in. It didn't work out quite that way.
I did the sketch, started the thumbnail value drawing, got impatient, did a quick sketch on the watercolor paper, and then just froze. I even picked out my palette - the tubes of paint are sitting on my drawing table as we speak. What I did instead is get out my journal and start a colored pencil drawing of the scene. I haven't finished it, but since it's been so long since I've posted anything on my blog (another stumbling block, I might add), I thought I'd share with you where things stand at the moment. As you can see, the drawing isn't finished yet, but I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow. But here's the thing..... when it's finished, I won't have any excuse not to start the painting. The thought fills me with dread and fear. I know, it's totally silly - who the heck cares? But there it is ..... it's how I feel right at this moment ...9:06 PM on Father's Day, 2010.
I did the sketch, started the thumbnail value drawing, got impatient, did a quick sketch on the watercolor paper, and then just froze. I even picked out my palette - the tubes of paint are sitting on my drawing table as we speak. What I did instead is get out my journal and start a colored pencil drawing of the scene. I haven't finished it, but since it's been so long since I've posted anything on my blog (another stumbling block, I might add), I thought I'd share with you where things stand at the moment. As you can see, the drawing isn't finished yet, but I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow. But here's the thing..... when it's finished, I won't have any excuse not to start the painting. The thought fills me with dread and fear. I know, it's totally silly - who the heck cares? But there it is ..... it's how I feel right at this moment ...9:06 PM on Father's Day, 2010.
13 comments:
What a delightful drawing it is. Sounds like you sure did a lot of in-situ work, and usually that's hard for me. I'd grow impatient and all, because I am just not sure, I guess I prefer the subject to fit my time schedule instead of the other way round.
Anyway, it's a fantastic job. Welcome back Nancy!
It amazes me that artists can still feel so insecure! Beautiful drawing no matter what.
This is a lovely drawing, Nancy. I'm familiar with the stop/start process of drawing so I know how you feel. But as you say, who cares? Just carry on when you feel like it.
I am not doing too well artwise either, so I feel for you! I guess we know that it will all be OK in the end - it is just getting to the start that is the difficulty!
It will be really interesting to see your coloured pencil drawing of your garden alongside the watercolour - I shall be eagerly awaiting...
I think this is really lovely so far, Nancy. As to the watercolors, I think at some point your desiring to work with them will overcome fears. If not? That is ok too. Just the creating is the fun part and you work with a medium that you enjoy!
Your drawing is really lovely - and I sympathize with you over the "fear of failure" that is keeping you from opening those tubes of watercolor paint. I accepted only one commission for a pen/watercolor drawing and remember the feeling so well. I finally tore up some watercolor paper and got started by tearing up a sheet of paper into small pieces just doing drawings/paintings of small parts of the building - telling myself that it was preparatory work, but hoping that it would make me feel more confident about starting the big piece - and it worked.
I have a love /hate relationship with watercolour..I love them and they hate me! I've tried many times and never had the results I had hoped for. Now I use watercolour pencils and dry pencil over the top if it needs it and I'm much happier.
I struggle with these things all the time. One of the problems with letting it get to you and stop you from 'doing', is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy; you do start losing some skill. No worries though, I find that it comes back fast enough. I like Shirley's advice of making a bunch of small paintings as warm-up.
You need to take up the Nike slogan as your mantra: Just do it! Don't worry about results; just play. Have fun.
I like this pencil sketch very much, and would love to see a watercolor version!
Nancy don't be so hard on yourself and please remember that not everything that is produced is going to be a work of art. We all need to practice and to learn by mistakes and problems we encounter.
Remember Edison who said "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
You finish the sketch, you don't have to do the painting, only you can say what you "have to" do. Put it aside, do a EDM challenge, pick it u another day. We, your readers/followers/friends don't mind if the painting is not done yet. Please try to enjoy what you are doing, if not do something else.
This is a lovely sketch! I'm waiting to see that painting! Now get going! Does that help?
I like Shirley's idea of doing small parts of the composition before jumping into the whole thing. This is a lovely drawing, I really like the composition. I know how you feel, that hesitation, but when you are ready you will enjoy making that painting.
Well, whether or not you tackle the watercolors, you did a wonderful drawing. So no "fear of failure," OK?
It's a lovely drawing and so what if you don't do the watercolour? It's okay. I agree with the suggestion to do a few small ones - maybe cut up some paper and do several at one go - maybe even setting a time limit so you can't fuss with them, but just have to get on with it.
And remember: "there is no such thing as a fearless artist" - that's from the War of Art!
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