Don’t be limited to what you feel you NEED to draw, draw what your heart and mind are drawn to.
Tim Burton (director, producer, creator) says, do what you love and what you are passionate about and keep doing it, for it’s the love of the the labour that leads to mastery and true artistic expression. Don’t get swept up in easy wins or shortcuts, it can lead you down a pathway or direction that is not authentically you. Stay true to what you love… (Tim Burton – Master Class)
I hope this helps you to draw and create as much as you love to and not limit yourself by any rules.
Drawing the same thing over and over will lead you to develop your own process…
I spent a whole year practising how to draw buildings.
All together I drew 18 buildings between the 3rd of January 2021 – 22nd November 2021.
For a long time now I have aspired to fill up a journal with one subject matter. I am so proud of myself as I usually find it difficult to follow through on a self assigned project like this. I have a tendency to get distracted by something new and shiny. As you look at these drawings you will notice that staggered dates throughout the year.
Art takes patience, persistence and deliberation.
I have reflected on the process and there are notes beside the drawings; things I have learnt, process notes and what I liked about the drawing.
What you will need:
Printer paper cut to 26 x 13cam folded in half and secured with three staples on the fold. ( All together you will need 10 pieces of paper.)
Lead pencil
1 coloured pencil
Photos of buildings
Overall, my reflections on this project are below:
Thumb nailing is worth spending time on – it’s a quick smaller drawing that helps you plan out the larger piece.
I love drawing sketchy trees.
Simplifying details can make a drawing look more fun and cohesive – not all details need to be accurate.
Drawing the same thing over and over will lead you to develop your own process… for me the process went 1. lightly blocking out shapes 2. Blocking out darkest sports 3. Add line 4 Add smaller shapes and objects.
Keep the sketch book on your desk, when you have a free 30 minutes draw!
Some notes on the paper/journal I used:
The printer paper is a bit slippery for coloured pencil
Good practise to get a sense of composition
Okay to write on
Suitable for graphite pencil
Use coloured pencils that a softer
Blending is challenging
The values are hard to build up which means the images look flat.
Layering is difficult
Download the full e-book for free below. I hope you learn something.
Teresa Dang 