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When You Hate Your Art
6 years ago
I think I touched on this a while ago but didn't get very specific. I write this for myself, but I figured other folks might benefit by the example.
For some time I've wanted to push myself in a new direction, but in recent years did not have the time or energy for it. Most recently, after two or so months of feeling exhausted beyond comprehension, I determined I would make art anyway. No one's going to let me rest, no one's going to give me time to art. Like the other changes in my life, I am going to have to fight for it. Draw those last 9 minutes before bedtime, wake early if I'm tossing in bed anyway. If I'm going to be tired, I might as well have accomplished something.
That was the start of it. A couple weeks ago, that's what did. And suddenly I have a mad appetite to art. But I still am hugely frustrated that my art isn't where I want it. I will say I'm glad to be rediscovering my ink, and even more glad to break my censorship walls. What keeps me from speaking will keep me from speaking my truth, keep me from finding it in my relationships, and keep me from finding it in my art. But I want more paintings, more illustrations, and more visionary works.
Also, you can probably expect more adult content from me as I push my own boundaries. Not for spank-bank material, but for artistic exploration. (I'm sure it makes no difference to some folks, and that's fine. Have fun.)
Anyway. That was a huge preamble to what I really intended to write.
So, in practical terms, what do I want? Compositions that read easily in just 3 values, with perhaps 2-3 additional values that still sit squarely within the parent range. In other words, if I have two darks and two midtones, I want them to read simply as one dark and one midtone when I squint my eyes. Sachin Teng does this. I want to take advantage of unified shapes to clarify and strengthen readability. Mike Mignola is a master at this.
I still want those hard, straight lines. I always love having a sense of rhythm and expect elements of my current linework to carry over, but I also feel it could benefit from some more contrasting straight-edge lines.
I want to paint. I want bold, chunky brushwork in areas of light. Atmospheric, nebulous blooms of color in shadows. Perhaps like a watercolor underpainting with opaque lights painted over top. I'm not sure how I would handle transition points, but I won't learn until I do it.
Less literal, less precise. I have the bad habit when painting that I often don't see the forest for the trees. It leads to stiff, over-rendered work. Be stingy about where I focus that much precision, and know when to hold back.
Get really stupid good at anatomy so I can throw it out the window and just wing it. Or just spend more time doing more regular studies so I can throw it out the window and wing it. (That latter seems more immediately doable than the former. But we gotta have long term goals, right?)
I'm sure I'm missing stuff, but I am writing this on my way to work and my stop is after the next light. But there! I have an idea of what direction I want to move in. Thanks for reading!
Vicious
For some time I've wanted to push myself in a new direction, but in recent years did not have the time or energy for it. Most recently, after two or so months of feeling exhausted beyond comprehension, I determined I would make art anyway. No one's going to let me rest, no one's going to give me time to art. Like the other changes in my life, I am going to have to fight for it. Draw those last 9 minutes before bedtime, wake early if I'm tossing in bed anyway. If I'm going to be tired, I might as well have accomplished something.
That was the start of it. A couple weeks ago, that's what did. And suddenly I have a mad appetite to art. But I still am hugely frustrated that my art isn't where I want it. I will say I'm glad to be rediscovering my ink, and even more glad to break my censorship walls. What keeps me from speaking will keep me from speaking my truth, keep me from finding it in my relationships, and keep me from finding it in my art. But I want more paintings, more illustrations, and more visionary works.
Also, you can probably expect more adult content from me as I push my own boundaries. Not for spank-bank material, but for artistic exploration. (I'm sure it makes no difference to some folks, and that's fine. Have fun.)
Anyway. That was a huge preamble to what I really intended to write.
So, in practical terms, what do I want? Compositions that read easily in just 3 values, with perhaps 2-3 additional values that still sit squarely within the parent range. In other words, if I have two darks and two midtones, I want them to read simply as one dark and one midtone when I squint my eyes. Sachin Teng does this. I want to take advantage of unified shapes to clarify and strengthen readability. Mike Mignola is a master at this.
I still want those hard, straight lines. I always love having a sense of rhythm and expect elements of my current linework to carry over, but I also feel it could benefit from some more contrasting straight-edge lines.
I want to paint. I want bold, chunky brushwork in areas of light. Atmospheric, nebulous blooms of color in shadows. Perhaps like a watercolor underpainting with opaque lights painted over top. I'm not sure how I would handle transition points, but I won't learn until I do it.
Less literal, less precise. I have the bad habit when painting that I often don't see the forest for the trees. It leads to stiff, over-rendered work. Be stingy about where I focus that much precision, and know when to hold back.
Get really stupid good at anatomy so I can throw it out the window and just wing it. Or just spend more time doing more regular studies so I can throw it out the window and wing it. (That latter seems more immediately doable than the former. But we gotta have long term goals, right?)
I'm sure I'm missing stuff, but I am writing this on my way to work and my stop is after the next light. But there! I have an idea of what direction I want to move in. Thanks for reading!
Vicious
Good luck!