Artist don't get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working. - Stephen DeStaebler
Does anyone feel my pain?
I am struggling with the 3/4 face. I make faces
with big noses, crooked noses, woompie eyes, crazy shapes on the chin- they look like apes half the time. I start and then work and work and, throw it away because my eraser won't even erase the bad lines anymore. Just when I think I have something down like the eyes- oh my- here comes the ear or the nostril......
with big noses, crooked noses, woompie eyes, crazy shapes on the chin- they look like apes half the time. I start and then work and work and, throw it away because my eraser won't even erase the bad lines anymore. Just when I think I have something down like the eyes- oh my- here comes the ear or the nostril...... But the book I'm reading "Art & Fear" says : "Basically, those who continue to make art are those who have learned to continue- or more precisely, have learned not to quit".
Basically, it's a test. A test of my will. Something has to give here and it won't be me. I have an expectation that I WILL MEET. But I have to realize that that expectation is always ahead of me, just ahead and all I can do is go back to Journal (1) and realize that Journal (6) is miles ahead. That I have made progress and I will make more progress in time.
I hope you feel progress in your life, your writing, your art. I hope you won't quit and I hope we will stumble over the finish line, together, completely devoid of any talent that we were ever given because we used up every ounce of it while we had the opportunity.
But there is some pain involved in the pouring out of it, don't you agree?
9 comments:
Yes, I do agree. I think the outcome doesn't matter--it's the process of just creating--whatever it may be and the desire. Right now, I think I'm going to take a little break from Suzi's class, because it is so fustrating like you say--I just don't have that drive to do it.
Art and Fear is a good book. I too feel much pain when doing art and not doing art!!! A conundrum. As far as your faces keep working on it. I quit line drawing faces..as a painter I started going directly to the shapes and darkest darks and am amazed at how much better the drawings have become. getting those 3/4 faces are difficult but really look at where that far eye is in relationship to the near eye. If you measure measure measure..you will be surprised at where that eye goes and what the size really is. I find we all tend to quit looking and believing what we are seeing. So we quit looking and start drawing what we think it should be. We see those eyes first and give them much more size than they are. The eyes are usually the first thing we draw but the shape of the whole head should be first and then the darkest darks to establish form, then I try to lightly mark where the mouth, bottom of nose, eyes and eyebrows are...going back and forth to each of the freatures several times measuring and measuring until I feel they look correct..then hold that drawing in a mirror and voila..you will see the results and see the adjustments needed. Just never stop looking at your subject. Of course if you are drawing from a photo you have to compensate for the camera eye flattening the features and distorting them. Much easier to draw from life. Sorry for going on! I have struggled with this same thing for years and feel I have at least figured out a way to not make so many mistakes..but I must say that your drawings have character and that is so important. A few lines can tell so much about your subject.
Wholeheartedly. I agree. It is painful to push through the blocks, the inadequacies, the lack of technique, etc and it is painful not to work. Great post.
yes, you are most certainly no alone in your struggle...i struggle everyday with my art or the lack thereof, thinking about it, etc etc etc....i have stuff everywhere so i can just sit down and do SOMETHING wherever i land with NO excuses...and i am rarely happy with it....my last post of my cow was because i did not like what i saw ,how everything seems to come out looking the same....yes, i suppose one could call it my mark or my style but i am seeing it differently, very negatively, probably out of habit more than anything else......in reality, we all do it how we do it and that's what makes it all art...it's humanity, it's essence, our idiosyncratic differences that make what we each create so otherworldly.....now i wonder if THaT made any sense at all but screw it, it is what it is and have a feeling, you get me. ;)
blessings♥
Oh G* yes...
I wept when I put up my paints. tears falling like the river of broken heart.
I carry that brush with me, every where. Tucked behind my ear. in my teeth in a pocket. And when I am spent of this world, I will take it to the maker and offer up my heart in gratitude.
I agree with you. We just have to keep going. I think these came out good.That book sounds good.
Yes, I also agree. I have read that book also. I should reread it.
At times I think we all want to give up and say what is the use. Then there are the other times, when we can not stop. :)
hi dear one...hope your "friend" has felt your love.
thanks for the dear comment.
a lot has been said here about commitment to finish what you.ve begun.
kelly rae didn.t emphasize it much when we all were together, but when i was learning from her before she really talked about the "ugly stage" of a painting. every piece of work usually gets it...the important thing is that you are "pushing through it"
and
i personally LOVE the woman at the top.
i think she.s perfect!
loves to you dear friend.
c
Oh yes, Chick, there is truth in that. Creativity in all its wonderful forms is a testing journey but one full of revelations. Lovely to see your portrait work and I'm in awe of your diverse talent. Bright wishes as we dance into May. xx
Post a Comment