I am determined to learn to draw before I die. Throughout my life I have always had an interest in sketching and would work at it for several months at a time and then get discouraged and drop it. I hope this time will be different. I have the time now that I am retired, so that excuse is gone. I have challenged myself to do a 20" drawing every day for a month. So far I've done three. It is so easy to get discouraged when trying to learn something new. When the result doesn't turn out like the vision you have in your head it is easy to give up.
But I try to remind myself every new skill felt like this at first. Things that initially seemed so challenging (driving a car) become second nature. I need to allow myself to just feel the discomfort without being stymied by it. I think the main thing is to just keep at it, no matter what. And quash the little voice in your head that is saying you're no good. I am finding the process of drawing itself, pleasant and relaxing, so I try to focus on that aspect and less on the result.
I'm inspired by Mr Nankie who is trying to learn the guitar. He plays along with his YouTube instructional videos nearly every night for an hour or two and has been doing that for about 6 months. Progress is slow, but it's there.
It is so easy to compare yourself to others and feel you don't measure up. We went to a guitar workshop performance at the local college and when we got home he said it was discouraging because he didn't think he'd ever be that good. Just like the time I was taking violin lessons in seventh grade and my mom, thinking it would inspire me, took me to a performance at Carnegie Hall! She said my response was "I could never be that good".
I follow the "Urban Sketchers" on Facebook and am totally amazed at the quality of art they produce, right on scene. But I try to keep in mind how long they must have practiced to attain such proficiency.
Just keep at it.
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