Drawing as a career or just for fun

[MuniAddict]

I definitely would fall in to the "just for fun" category. But I was so inspired by Asthian's incredible artwork, that I decided to "dig up" a few of my very old attempts at drawing. I am a rank amateur compared to him, but I remember how fun it was to draw stuff, and see the images as they began to take shape. I think one of the main things I liked about drawing things--mostly people--was how much detail and little fine lines and nuances in shading you could create.

I know these are very basic, but Ian has inspired me to try to take it up again, and see if I can even draw at all anymore. I'm not sure if you lose the ability after years of not using it, or if it's kind of like riding a bike, in that you don't really forget once you learn. Anyway, I drew these way back in the early '70's I believe. I think the last one of the Marx bros. was my first attempt, and the first two were my last.

[Dane M]

haha very cool! I never learned how to draw, and I don't pretend like I can, kudos to you for taking it back up!

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by Dane M

haha very cool! I never learned how to draw, and I don't pretend like I can, kudos to you for taking it back up!

Well, you never know until you try! And art is in the eye of the beholder, so if you were to draw something and post it here, it might get great reviews! You could become another Dali, or Picasso! They had TONS of critics, but their work sells for millions! But most probably just do it for fun, or even as a form of therapy, and it is certainly a good way to express yourself.

[Dane M]

I can't even draw straight lines haha.

Maybe that will be my work, I'll be a minimalist, and paint slightly bent lines, on a white background.

[johnfoss]

Some simple advice:

CONTRAST. Go as black as you can in the dark areas, it will really make things pop!

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by johnfoss

Some simple advice:

CONTRAST. Go as black as you can in the dark areas, it will really make things pop!

the pics of the drawings came out pretty light and washed out, so the dark areas are a lot darker in person. But I agree with your assessment. This is probably closer to the real thing:

[Matt_V]

Those look great, Terry. You're right, drawing is a blast. I used to draw all the time as a kid but have gotten out of it.

You might like watching this guy's videos. He makes speed drawing videos of him sketching celebrities and they are amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePortraitArt

I find watching these to be very inspirational.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by Matt_V

Those look great, Terry. You're right, drawing is a blast. I used to draw all the time as a kid but have gotten out of it.

You might like watching this guy's videos. He makes speed drawing videos of him sketching celebrities and they are amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePortraitArt

I find watching these to be very inspirational.

WOW! that is beyond belief, and one of the most amazing things I've seen on the "internets"!

[Dane M]

I love timelapse artwork! I hadn't seen drawing ones, interestingly enough.

Terry, I do think that I could be good if I were willing to spend the time to learn, because a good artist is really just a well trained person with a good understanding of light, color, composition, and has a creative side (But everyone has a creative side, it's just a matter of "unlocking" that side for specific applications.) I know light, and all of those things from video, visual design, and photography, I just lack the hand coordination and patience (both patience to learn a new skill, and patience of actually doing a piece) Funny that I'm not coordinated with my hand for drawing but I'm very good with a computer mouse and am a fast retoucher.

[tobbogonist]

if you are drawing for a career are you allowed to also draw for fun?
Or are the seperate?
No wonder all the art students at uni are so depressed, there not having any fun.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by tobbogonist

if you are drawing for a career are you allowed to also draw for fun?
Or are the seperate?
No wonder all the art students at uni are so depressed, there not having any fun.

Haha, yeah, a career in art (or anything else) can and *should* be fun, in the sense that [hopefully] you love what you are doing. I made the distinction in the thread title with the word "just", for those that are not making a career out of art, but do it just for the sheer enjoyment. Without the word "just" in the thread title, then it would had a meaning closer to what you described.

[tobbogonist]

true, i didn't actually spot that originally.

I just like the idea of an artist having to wake up at nine in the morning to paint and being all cranky about it.

[Dane M]

I'm having trouble with that very idea at the moment. I got into photography for the fun of it, and now it's becoming more like a job. I need to find a way to please both my income and my fun gene.

[asthian]

I've had jobs where I had to wake up in the morning and draw, and yes, I got cranky about it at times. I really had no reason to be cranky other than sometimes it's hard to "have" to draw when you really don't want to. I think people (myself included) forget how lucky they are sometimes and take the first opportunity to complain about mundane things. When I had jobs that weren't art-related at all, I'd wish I could be at my drawing table.
Why can't we just be happy?

[Dane M]

Gosh I forget who the interview was with the other day on national public radio, but it was I think a musician. And he was explaining how everyone has this goal of achieving true happiness for as much time as possible. And he explained how he didn't want to be happy, he wanted to experience the full range of human emotion, because that is how you find out who you are, and what you really appreciate. I thought that was a very valuable lesson.