Cath Sheard Art

Tag: drawing

  • Drawing doesn’t have to be good

    Last year I decided to practice drawing, and quickly gave up. This year I got tempted again, but didn’t want to start, then quickly stop again.

    In some of the leadership training I’ve done, we talk about asking why 5 times to get to the root cause of something. I decided to use the model and figure out why I don’t keep drawing.

    Why did you stop drawing? I got bored.

    Why did you get bored? The drawings were too basic.

    Why were the drawings too basic? I was trying to learn traditional drawing techniques.

    Why were you trying to learn traditional drawing? It seemed the right place to start.

    Why do you think it’s the right place to start? Because that’s what we learned at art school.

    And there I have it. I have been trying to re-learn using traditional drawing methods, without being in the class environment with the support of the tutor etc. Yet there’s no reason why I can’t just draw however I want, for the fun of it. I’ve started doing that, without worrying if it is right, and I’m enjoying it. There are two examples below.

    On Bsky someone I followed posted this, and I have copied it because it speaks to me –

    I will draw, even if it’s bad.
    I will draw, even if it’s challenging.
    I will draw, even if it’s been done before.
    I will draw, even if it’s imperfect.
    I will draw, even if someone else is better.
    I will draw, even if I have much to learn.

    I will draw because it’s fun.
    Because I’m human.

  • (not) drawn to drawing

    At the beginning of the year I set myself the goal of relearning the skill of drawing. When I studied art we had to draw throughout the first year and I was ok enough to get through. I decided improving my drawing skills would benefit my art generally, so dedicated a notebook to regular practice.

    Almost 5 months in I know exactly why I haven’t been drawing for the last few years. It brings me zero joy. Zero! I make mark with crayons, pencils etc, and love it. Realistic drawing … nope. So I’ve stopped. Art is my passion, not my career, so if it’s not bringing me joy, I don’t do it.

    I’m currently reading ‘Drawing in the present tense’ by Claire Gilman and Roger Malbert – it’s a fascinating look at contemporary drawing.

  • Not quite full circle

    When I was at The Learning Connexion I did a lot of drawing, and I blogged about it recently. Not “here’s a realistic face” drawing, more mark marking and activating the page. I haven’t gone full circle, but I’m certainly doing a lot more drawing.

    Tonight I took two books off my bookcase; Contemporary drawing by Margaret Davidson, and Expressive drawing by Steven Aimone. It’s years since I read them.

    I’m not looking for technical information, and I’m comfortable using my supplies. I want to look at the different ways people draw and make marks, and think about what I like and why.

  • #cjs20 day 14

    The day 14 artist for #cjs20 was Jodi Ohl. I really like her work so was quite excited then, uh oh, she wanted us to draw an eye. I *don’t draw* but – hey – this about learning new skills. I found an image in a magazine that had lots of drama, with vivid eyeshadow and huge eyelashes. Unfortunately the paper I was using didn’t cope with the technique Jodi was teaching, so it broke down a bit and the lines are fuzzy. But it’s more than recognisable, so I’m pleased I gave it a try!

    day 14 Jodi Ohl

  • #cjs20 day 3

    Today’s #cjs20 artist is Jane LaFazio. I have followed Jane  for a few years, and have some of her Stencil Girl stencils, so was excited to see her name pop up. But, oh boy, did today’s lesson push my skillset. And yeah, ok, that’s half the point of signing up.

    Here’s my attempt at drawing part of my Pandora bracelet. I never draw realistically, so I’m pleased with this. The paper I used didn’t cope well with the watercolours and they bled, but that’s ok.

    day 3