In drawing as in life we learn from our mistakes. Mistakes are often made when we fail to clearly see things as they are. Look carefully at all the angles look at the negative and the positive shapes; compare the way things relate to one another. Notice these things in drawing and life. Cameras capturing life in a moment, you reflect on the result later. When sketching you are fully absorbed in the now observing the detail. You are trying to capture what you personally see and feel about the subject. There is no room for outside thoughts and distractions. This is an experience like meditation you are totally focused on the subject. Photography can help you notice things and also be interesting. With drawing you have artistic license, a quality a camera lacks.
When traveling, while I wait for transport or meals, sketching is a way to pass the time. A few scribbled words can be added and you have a record of your journey. It is a better way of helping you recall your travels and liven up your diary. I think I first started doing this on a trip to Thailand. If I do not have a sketch pad I draw on whatever is available. But if you do not keep your sketches in order it is not long before they go astray. Sketches saved in a pad, though not works of art, I find are like Tony Buzan’s Mind Maps.
Photography is good, but it lacks the satisfaction you get when sketching.
I bought a digital camera and it is so easy to take photos with automatic settings and the computer is better than a well equipped dark room. This is cost-effective and comparatively easy. Consequently my interested in learning digital photography like the computer became almost an addiction. I am spoiled with too many wonderful things and new tempting advancements coming on the market every day. I must remind myself these things are not necessities; I can always pick up a pencil and sketch.
I enjoy trying to keep up with the new technology, but no one can master, or afford all that is on offer. If the cost becomes a problem, I will be back to the sketch pad and pencils. We do not need all the latest tempting things advertised on TV. Material things do not bring lasting happiness. Because they need maintenance and become obsolete, breakdown, wear out and are expensive. A sketch pad and pencils is affordable and less hassle.
Some things we need and some things we just want.
Making decisions in life and drawing you look at the angles and the negative and the positive. These are decision not to be made without comparing how one thing relates to another. You also need to learn from role-models. In life it is someone honorable you learn from. In art it is all those renowned people whose work we see in art galleries and books. There are libraries full of books on good examples in art and life. Drawing leads us to an expanding education. Not only using books, we now have our PC and all it has to offer like Google and Wikipedia.
Perspective, your view-point, the tone of things, the contrast, the flow the movement, the medium and the composition are all involved. The world of art starts with drawing and what a wonderful world to explore. It is not a matter of how talented you are it is what you learn when you try to do anything. Appreciation, and understanding come only from doing it, practice brings perfection.
This is how I have fun with art and learn from it. Now I am furthering my learning with Lisa of designs and destinatioun.
Your drawings and art work inspire me
You have more talent than me and are also more modest.
Thank you Jack for that comment but in the drawing you make it seem effortless
jack, this is a beautiful post! wow! thank you for letting us peer over your shoulder!
my favorite is the ‘portrait’ of your boots!
thanks so much!
z
The boots were going to be my contribution to T.F.A. but I got inspired to enlarge on some ways sketching can be used. You know what a picture is worth, even an armature one still saves a lot of typing. Thank for taking the time to answer I imagine you are very busy.
I have learned so much from this post. I love your drawings. Art requires total immersion. I am in music, and the best performances are always the result of living in the moment.
I agree music is wonderful it can lift us up and help us in many ways. I hoped would give ideas of how drawing can be used to help us and inspire others to try the ideas. I mentioned ‘The mind map book.’ it lets us know the value of pictures to help our memory. Thanks commenting.
Wow! Now, YOU have really inspired me. I particularly like,”It is not a matter of how talented you are it is what you learn when you try to do anything.” So true. Thank you so much for your informative post and your thoughts on art. I love it!
Your feedback is really appreciated thank you so much for taking the time.
This is an interesting and thoughtful post. I have to say though, that I can’t sketch at all and I really feel like digital photography has been a great way for me to express myself creatively.
How we show our appreciation is not important. That we do appreciate is important. Thank you for your kind comment.
🙂
That you appreciate and enjoy is the important thing thanks for your kind comment.
Jack each picture paints a thousand words or so they say. and your sketches are memorizing in detail .. Loved the doodle birds and your phrase ” How silent the woods if no birds”…….I walked out in nature yesterday and just loved the Song of the birds in the trees as I walked… How silent a world if no birds,…
Enjoy your day where ever your travels take you today…… 🙂
Life is a joy with the right attitude and a love of nature.