Don't Try to Solve 2 Problems at Once

The number 1 tip I can offer to help you in your art projects:
Don't try to solve 2 problems at once.

You're creating something and notice that it's too busy, the lines are boring, and the composition could be better. Don't work on all 3 issues at the same time. Fix the composition, then adjust the business, then improve the lines.

Fix something, then move on to the next thing. Then, do it again. Then, again until you run out of time or things to fix.

Are You Afraid to be Critiqued?

You need more critique, not less.

If you're not out there, you're not making a dent.

The Real Secret of Drawing

I've been on vacation this week, which is always glorious simply because I do exactly what I want. No responsibilities and no worries.

I didn't touch a pencil for 5 days.

When I picked it back up yesterday I was reminded of one of the greatest drawing lessons you can learn.

To draw well you have to think well.

Your mental approach to drawing is more important than the way you move the pencil. Good art is mainly a series of good decisions. How do you set up the compositions? Where do you put the shadows? How do you most effectively depict a scene or action?

Beyond that, intelligently naming your problems is the key to solving them. Too busy? Awkward posing? Flat drawing?

If your drawings are suffering, begin to explicitly name the problems and apply your best logic to every artistic decision. Begin to make sound artistic choices.

And now, back to the beach.

I'll Tell You What's Stupid

I just want to know that there are people out there who can relate to this.

I drew a picture yesterday and hated it.
I woke up this morning and like it.

sigh

At least I like it now! Better than the alternative.

A Tip for Improving as an Artist

One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard...

If you're not getting the results you want, do something different.

How often do we forget that?

Choosing Lines

Wave after wave of drawing inspired frustration combined with some Paul Pope, Ashley Wood, and Jamie Hewlett has taught me that I don't really understand what lines look good in a drawing.

Time to reset my instincts.

First Principles

The other I was struck by an idea.

It's one of those ideas that a lot of you will probably read and think, "Uh, yeah. That's obvious."

But maybe, just maybe, this particular thought will revolutionize your artistic process.

In every activity there are some very basic, fundamental principles -- First Principles, as I will refer to them.

I was struck by the revelation that I don't consciously follow the First Principles of art.

What I mean is that I create art on a sort of auto-pilot. I can look at an image and know that something irks me, but I usually don't verbalize the specific problem.

And that's a big problem itself.

I realized that unless I name the problem specifically I can't solve it efficiently. Often, to name a problem is to know how to solve it.

My current goal is to make every artistic decision justifiable. That means if you asked me why I made any particular artistic decision I would be able to explain it to you and my argument wouldn't fall apart once it was verbalized. ( I don't know about you, but I sometimes find that the opinions I half-consciously hold to sound much less compelling when I speak them to someone else.)

The takeaway is this: Name your issues. What bothers you about your piece? Is it too busy? Does it lack contrast? Are the strokes messy?

Also, if you're having trouble determining what to do next on a piece, perhaps you should go back to the basic questions. Is this piece balanced? Is there enough contrast (contrast of tone, size, texture,etc.) to make it interesting? Does it lack variety or rhythm? Is the composition weak?

It all comes down to sound thinking and decision making -- i.e. good judgment.