It’s the start of a new year, well the start of the second month of the new year (January was a write off let’s face it!). But this means I’ve given myself the resolution to draw more… again. Last January I bought myself a sketchbook and said to myself “I’m going to draw something small every single day” and of course by the end of January I’d already failed. So this year I’m starting smaller and making myself accountable.
Setting Goals
This year I’m giving myself a much easier goal, and instead of every single day I’m thinking that at least once a week having a drawing session may be best. I’m also not going to be too strict with myself if I have a busy week and don’t get round to it.
Another goal of mine is that I want to fill at least one of the sketchbooks I have lying around. I keep purchasing sketchbooks (as well as notebooks, pens and other materials) and feel like I need to use them more. This should also give me a break away from screens that my other hobbies (ebooks, videogames, film) depend on.
My goals:
- Draw at least once a week
- Fill one of my sketchbooks
Finding Inspiration
The worst part about drawing is sitting down and realising you have no idea what to draw. So that’s where finding inspiration comes in, whether it’s finding a particular theme to focus on, using artist studies to create images, or even just drawing from that TV show or book you’ve been into recently.
Artist Studies
Growing up I chose to take art topics through the entirety of high school and we were often told to create artist studies to guide our sketchbooks up until the final piece. Whilst I won’t be creating full analysis paragraphs like I did in school, trying to emulate an artist and choosing areas that you prefer to continue using can help you find your own style.
Things to look our for in other artists work is what subject matter, themes, and narratives are shown that you would love to have in your own work. Is there a particular genere of art you prefer? Maybe historical? artchitectural? portraits or landscapes? Composition of the pieces are also important for different artists, as well as relearning structure and layout of pieces. Artists also experiment with different materials, which you can change to fit what you would prefer or you can try for yourself.
Artists to possibly look into:
- Van Gogh
- Seuret
- Monet
- Warhol
- Klimt
- O’Keefe
- Edward Hopper
- Jen Garrido
- Shyama Ruffell
- William Morris
- Rembrant
- Vermeer
- Seurat
- Alan Lee
- L.S. Lowry
- David Hockney
- Faye Bridgwater
- Jeremy Harnell
- Renoir
- Mackintosh
- Ivor Abrahams
- Robert Adam
- Eileen Agar
- Samuel Alken Senior
- Helena Almeida
- John Armstrong
- Eve Arnold
- Kathy Ramsay Carr
- Hokusai
- Eka Sharashidze
Fanart
Since my hobbies are books, TV and video games I feel like I’m surrounded by a lot of fanart which is always so impressive. I’d love to pick some of my favourites to draw, re-draw and imagine a bit more. Fanart also feels a bit more free than some of the more realistic traditional artists above, which will hopefully be easier for me since I’m unpracticed at getting every detail perfect.
Following Current Artists
Another aspect of this is that I want to find other current artists to find inspiration from. In the middle of last year I create an Instagram specifically to follow artists online and I’ve found so many great artists in that time that are amazing.
Here’s just some of them:
If I can learn to be at least half as good as these artists I will be proud of myself.
Accountability
This post is defintely part of the accountability of learning to draw again, since I’m openly shouting about it. Creating an outline and plan of what I want to has kind of helped me too, since I’ll be looking into other artists I will hopefully find new techniques, subject matter, and even materials I can use.
I’ve also got my friends on board with my goals, and they WILL pester me if I don’t do the things I say I should. Having an accountability buddy will always help, even if it’s an online friend who’s also shown interest in wanting to be more creative.
On top of an accountability buddy, setting up creative dates with like-minded friends can keep you on track. Just don’t compare yourself to others if you find yourself thinking negatively about your own work in these sessions.
So are you also learning to draw? What are your goals?
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