Why Your Drawings Don't Work

If you're like me, you've probably made a lot of drawings that just don't work.

You look at them - study them. The anatomy seems accurate. You've used interesting lines. You've tried to inject some style.

But, it's just not working.

Then you bang your head on a table or a wall and wonder, "What am I doing wrong??"

Well, I think I may have an answer for you.

I've been more of an illustrator than anything for years. But, last year, I took a job as a Graphic Designer. Working as a designer for the past year has taught me a crucial lesson that I was missing as an illustrator.

Your drawings must have an overall sense of pleasantness. We all know that somewhere, but follow me.

The individual lines are important only inasmuch as they contribute to the attractiveness of the entire image. I now approach drawings in the same way as I approach graphic design.

What that means is that I try to create a natural flow.

All lines are roads.

A road takes you to a place. All of the lines in your drawing are guiding you somewhere. Knowing this, you can make all the lines in your piece work together to guide the viewer.

So, if you're drawings just aren't working, remember 2 things:

1) The entire composition should be pleasant as a whole.
2) The entire composition should have a natural flow - a path your eyes follow.

Try that and see if you don't improve instantly.

Art is Diffusion

I love that word, "Diffusion."

Diffusion means "to spread."

We live in a world of increasing connectivity. Ideas are everywhere and they are easier than ever to spread.

Distance means nothing.

To be an artist now is to have a global audience. I live in Georgia, but I've worked for people in Germany and Denmark. I didn't have to jump on a plane or even make a phone call.

Seth Godin tells us that an idea that spreads wins.

We artists are in the diffusion business. Our art speaks. Our art is our idea and our job is to spread it.

If your art spreads, you win.

New Bill Watterson Art

Checkitout:

http://illustrationfriday.com/blog/2011/04/22/bill-watterson-covers-cul-de-sac/

New artwork from Bill Watterson! (the Calvin and Hobbes guy)

If your drawings look flat, check your foundation. This drawing has depth and it couldn't be simpler.

Great shading can't fix a a flat drawing.

Do You Know Why Working is Insufferable?

It's because you (and I) aren't leaning into our work.

The people who make a difference are really in to what they're doing. If they don't feel energized about a task or a job they quickly say "no" or find another job.

Will I Suck Forever?

Many of us have asked ourselves this question over and over again.

There are a few ways I can answer, but let me first point out the underlying attitude.

Asking yourself how long you're going to suck reveals your true goal as an artist. You're not focusing on the joy of the creative process. You're not approaching your art with curiosity. You're caught up in the results of making art instead of the process of making art.

I would therefore advise you to view all failures as experiments instead of evidence of your incompetence. When an experiment goes wrong you don't blame yourself. You take what you've learned and formulate another experiment. Art as science. Art as fun.

Self-reproach and fulfillment don't hold hands.

To ask yourself how long you will suck is to compare yourself. I can't tell you that comparing yourself to others is a waste of time. You can learn a lot by comparing your work to the work of others. I can tell you that comparing yourself to others as an indicator of your value is useless. As a matter of fact, I could tell you that all day. You're probably not going to really understand. You may never understand. But maybe - just maybe - one day that little nugget of wisdom will sink down into your gray matter and you'll truly believe that questioning your value because of your competence is a total waste of time - and you'll stop doing it. It's not helpful or useful. Drop it.

If you practice a lot you will get better. I don't know how long it's going to take you or how good you'll get, but if you want to get better, and you're willing to invest a little time and brainpower into the process, you will get better. I'm talking about years. Keep practicing for years.

Is that a bummer? Someone once told me that the time is going to pass no matter what you do. You might as well get good at something along the way. Sounds right to me.

Don't try to be the best in the world. That's almost certainly not going to happen. There are too many other talented and smart people out there. But, like Seth Godin tells us, try to add value to your world, whatever that may be. Be an asset to your team, club, friend group...whatever.

My goal - and I think it's a worthy one - is to get really good at adding value to the world. My goal is to approach my art with curiosity and energy. I want to enjoy the journey while making a dent in the universe.

When you make art with a mindset like that, the question "how long will I suck" becomes meaningless because it distracts from my goals. Who cares how long I take to improve? I'm using what I have to add value to the world and I'm enjoying the journey. Worrying about my competence doesn't make me better or happier. It doesn't help at all. Worries usually don't.

Sketch O' The Week

Wicked Koala.