Keep practicing and look for small victories in each of your projects big or small. I find that I am not always happy with the whole piece but do like certain parts of it. Take those victories as inspiration to keep going.

Also, maybe tackle less complex subjects until your eyes and hands are trained to work together to get the shapes and forms right. In the end, they are just abstract shapes that have lines, edges and values to define them. Just draw an apple first. Once you conquer that, add another object and nail that. Try to forget about what you are drawing so can really see the shape. Our eyes play tricks on us and our socialization sways our visual perception. Really look at the objects and ask yourself why it look like it is front of another. It may have everything to do with the shadows on the object behind it! Most of all keep going and don’t let your discouragement hold you back. We all go though it – even the most seasoned of artists!

Take care,
Lee

After yesterday’s class I was quite demoralized.

I set up my subjects, looked at them, and didn’t know where to start drawing. I held my arm out straight, pencil in hand, trying to measure heights and widths…..of the vase, the tangerines, the tray. My head was spinning because I just didn’t know where to begin or how to proceed in the task of placing the scene accurately on the canvas!

I made the effort, but it looked inaccurate.

After half an hour, my teacher came by and sat at my easel. Trying not to be a whining student, I calmly explained that I was having trouble…that although I had taken a drawing class in 2008, I hadn’t been practicing at all.

( I didn’t tell him that I had been using photos and transfering the contours of my subjects to the canvas not by drawing from life but with the grid method).

He extended his arm, pencil in hand as I had done, measuring and comparing and relating the size and position of one object to another…calculating angles etc. and with a sure hand he corrected my drawing. I so envied his ability.

I have a good eye. I can see very subtle differences in position and value.
But faced with this set-up I just didn’t know how to start and continue the process of relating objects to one another. Is this something that can be explained?

Thank you!

g greenblatt

Hi Randy. Glad to see you around. I have to say that I am liking this method so far and will likely explore it further. As always, I appreciate you stopping by and perpetually look forward to the day that we can go out an paint together.

Hi Ann. Richard is awesome isn’t he? I have to Thank Perry Brown for turning me onto him. I have found his books and teachings to be invaluable so far. If you buy the book sometime, get it Richard’s website. I believe it is the most cost effective way to obtain it. Take care! /Lee

ps The value fade on the dark roof is great.