Today we are talking about that old common problem that so many artists suffer from. When you think you want to draw something but you "don't know what to draw". Well, no worries, I'm glad you found this blog cause I'm gonna tell you how to rid yourself of that feeling if your willing to read on.
So I'm not some ultra motivated all the time guy. The reason I have insight into this problem is because I have had it so many times. The story is pretty common. You think you should be drawing but you tell yourself you don't know what to draw. So you Google , what should I draw, what to do when I don't know what to draw... etc. Now by the end of your search you find your self on YouTube watching videos about big cats or some cartoon fight scene you have seen forty billion times. Yeah I've been there.
To get started we have to know the ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.
Now as odd as it seems, you do not have a problem knowing what to draw or what not to draw. You don't have a problem with motivation. ( The fact that you googled what to do should show that.)You may have confidence issues with your skill level but if your drawing for yourself that should not be an issue, and if you are drawing for a client then you should know what to draw. If you don't then I suggest you get with your client and figure out what you guys are actually doing.
THE PROBLEM
The problem that your facing is one of instant gratification. Its that simple. Drawing by its self is not instantly gratifying. Most just want to have a finished drawing or comic that is done and perfect and beautiful so they can show their friends and hang it on their fridge. Yeah that stuffs fun. The problem is drawing is a process. Its something you have to take time with, build skill and be rewarded with the finished product after putting in the work. Your brain is programed to take the easiest route possible. So it is going to work against you when it comes to making a decision to go and do something like drawing. Its going to put an excuse in you such as " I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DRAW " in order for you to take an easier path. BUT ITS NOT GOING DOWN LIKE THAT! You are the captain of your ship. When your brain starts to turn on you, here a few things that help me get into a working mood.
1.) DRAW WEIRD LINES
So in my experience the hardest part of getting to work is starting. Once I start it is so very easy to just continue. Don't worry about the perfect thing to draw, JUST DRAW SOMETHING.
As soon as you get in the "I don't know what to draw" mindset, just draw something. An object in your room. I often just start drawing mannequins in action poses. It does not matter if they look good. It does not matter if they look like what you are trying to draw. At this point you should not be trying to draw anything. The goal here is to start drawing. If you picked up a pen and doodle some stuff, WELL DONE! You have started.
2.) THAT THING YOU LIKE TO DRAW ALL THE TIME
Start drawing something that you draw all the time.
If your like me you most likely have something that you have drawn tons of time. (Superman for me) You have a thing that you draw in doodles while you mindlessly sketching on napkins and stuff. I certainly hope you do. (Its super fun) Do some of that.
It may not be the thing you want to start working on but it is starting. As a bonus, you will be putting yourself in a drawing state of mind and thinking about what you should be drawing.
3.) SKETCH SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE
Just start sketching a thing. Like a still life of those tennis shoes on your floor. (maybe put them back in your closet when your done.( Or don't, this is about drawing not cleaning )
You may be thinking, " I don't draw realistically, I only draw cartoons and the hulk " Well yes, that is all well and good. I would like you to keep in mind, If your googling What you should draw then you are currently drawing nothing.
Practicing your ability to convey what you see to what you can do with your hand is what drawing is all about. Whether with your own eyes or your minds eye. Your going to put your mind in a state that is focused on the skill you want to use and develop.
4.) COPY AN IMAGE YOU LIKE
Here is a fun one. Draw from a comic or picture that you really like.
This is not only a good study exercise, but having a reference in front of you that is done and you already like is a great way to take the fear of "drawing something bad" off your shoulders.
Draw a character by that artist you like, or trace if your not confident. Do it tell your ready to move to something that is yours.
These thing help me so much when I'm in that procrastination mindset. Let there be no doubt dear reader, "I don't know what to draw" is just your mind trying to make you procrastinate because its simpler then doing something. Don't give in to that. Your better then that. YOUR A CHAMPION! Now pull out some paper or drawing program and get to work! You can do it I have faith in you.......NOW DUDE! Go draw. .... seriously stop reading go draw!
Your still reading, Thanks but I want you to succeed,
Your awesome, don't let anyone including yourself tell you otherwise,
-CHAP
GO DRAW ALREADY!
Comments
Post a Comment