People who can draw or paint well often get to hear the words, "you are so talented". It's meant as a compliment, though I guess there is also a bit of envy in these words of admiration. Those receiving the compliment are often not very happy with it, because it implies that they are just lucky to have this nature-given talent and it dismisses the fact that they have put a lot of work into becoming this good. And have overcome frustrations along the way.
I used to think that in order to be able to draw well you either have to have a special talent for it or have to practise hard for years. But I have found out that talent is not that big a factor and regular practice will get you far - in much less than a year.
Still I don't think that talent doesn't exist. Not everyone can become a Michelangelo, no matter how early he starts and how much he practises and studies. Talent shows in how quickly you improve and how far you get with your art. But you can't tell someone's talent merely by looking at his drawing or painting. You don't know how long he's been working on his skills.
And after all, you don't have to be perfect at something in order to enjoy doing it. So, however your talent is, make the most of it and have fun.
Towel Day
Why have a visual journal when you don't commemorate important holidays? May 25 is Towel Day in memory of author Douglas Adams, who brought to us the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The Guide talks about how important it is to always know where your towel is. To always have it handy, because there are so many things you can do with it.
In order to show that I know where my towel is, I drew it. Look.
In order to show that I know where my towel is, I drew it. Look.
Photorealism
Many people feel honoured when their drawing or painting is mistaken for a photo. Well, sometimes it happens unintentionally. But there are artists who strive for photorealism. They think it's the greatest achievement to be able to make a drawing or painting look like it is a photo, even to be able to literally copy a photo by drawing or painting it.
I don't think so. Nowadays, if your goal is to depict something as true to reality as possible, you can take a photo and that's it. Easy. So why would you learn to draw or paint, just to make your drawing (or painting) look like a photo? That doesn't make sense to me. I want my drawings to be something different, something more than photos are.
The most important thing about drawing is the fun you have while doing it. But as far as the result is concerned, I want my drawings to have a character of their own, a different character than a photo has. At least, I want them to look like drawings.
With this in mind, drawing from a photo is not such a bad thing, apart from the fact that you can't always draw from life. You already have a photo of your subject, great, but you don't have a drawing of it, yet. What a pity. The interesting task is to make your drawing stand out against the photo. Sounds fun.
I don't think so. Nowadays, if your goal is to depict something as true to reality as possible, you can take a photo and that's it. Easy. So why would you learn to draw or paint, just to make your drawing (or painting) look like a photo? That doesn't make sense to me. I want my drawings to be something different, something more than photos are.
The most important thing about drawing is the fun you have while doing it. But as far as the result is concerned, I want my drawings to have a character of their own, a different character than a photo has. At least, I want them to look like drawings.
With this in mind, drawing from a photo is not such a bad thing, apart from the fact that you can't always draw from life. You already have a photo of your subject, great, but you don't have a drawing of it, yet. What a pity. The interesting task is to make your drawing stand out against the photo. Sounds fun.
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