Have you ever wanted to draw or paint?

 

Have you ever wanted to be able to paint or draw?

Have you ever had those damaging thoughts: “I am not capable,” “I am not good enough,” “I am not an artist,” “I don’t know how”?

Have you tried at least?

Or maybe you have tried and did not like the result? Was your line of thought, “It’s not good at all”?

But wait, to whom did you compare yourself? Leonardo da Vinci?

I propose my theory: any drawing or painting is far better than an empty piece of paper or canvas. Any act of creation is better than nothing.

Even this creation is better than nothing.

Next one is better than the first one. 

 And this one is better than the 2nd picture. Not much, but better.

Not perfect by any means, but it is a start!

I found this interesting exercise in a very old book about drawing cartoons.

You draw a random line, 

and then you try to see and draw the face.

Try it a few times and see how much fun it is. You can even try it with your children or at a party with your friends.

What also helps to start drawing is daily practice by sketching simple objects from memory—like a plate, pencil, or cat. It doesn’t have to be perfect or realistic at all. Even if it barely resembles the real object, that’s just fine. Try again.

The next time you see the real object, just pay a little bit more attention to how it looks. Then try to draw it again. It’ll be much better, I promise you.

The next time you see that object, notice the difference in color where the light hits the surface and where the shade is. Try to color your drawing. Bring it to life!

Still not perfect? Of course not!

But see how far you’ve come from the first drawing of this object.

What matters is that you tried!

Happy practicing.

Please post your efforts in the comments.

And please be gentle with other beginners. No judgment, please.

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