Great post and idea! I love the narrative personal bits and the reflection on your past self, particularly how grateful you are to him for doing this one thing 🥲
I like the Idea, the text and BOTH sketches, and the notion of a time-machine. Thank you also for sharing your former worries about being watched, so helpful that others feel those things, too!
Still struggling to get into a sketching habit... Greetings from the antipodes (Austria)!
I voted for "Musings on creativity", because I find that I almost always find some tidbit that speaks to me so much that I add it to my journal (giving you credit, of course :-) ). But I also love your tips and tricks, and stories like this one include your creativity musings. In fact, I recently sketched, my myself and in public, one of my hubby's band gigs. It's really not lovely. But after reading this post, I added to the journal page: "Ha ha, what I like most about this sketch is that I did it!" I'm so glad that there is SOMETHING to like about my sketch!! :-)
Really enjoyed this post. - I have sometimes revisited a drawing from 15+ years ago and it is interesting to compare the drawings. It’s a mixed bag where sometimes I’m a little disappointed that there isn’t a more obvious uptick in how I like the drawing- sometimes I see massive growth. I appreciate that you also focused on your confidence during the process and how your approach has changed to drawing buildings. I may use this idea to revisit a drawing from exactly 15 years ago so I am not stacking the deck by redrawing a standout drawing from many years ago. As I look at my work over 15 years I see more consistency, more creativity in dealing with mishaps during the drawing process and generally having a more confident definitive approach over a sketchy tenuous line. I see growth in spiral-like patterns over the many years revisiting some of the same subjects but each drawing is unique and captures its own moment.
Thanks so much. I agree that learning is a spiral. You end up knowing things, but not learning them. It takes time to apply them; there aren't many shortcuts, and it can feel like you're going around in circles
I think the biggest changes in my work are similar: more confidence, more consistency, less concern.
Nice. This brings about a story from me. I had this bunglow near my apartment, recently, it was taken down, and a new apartment block stands in this place.
At different time intervals, I drew what I could. Unfortunately, the style you are using - is totally unknown to me. It looks cool, and I feel, had I known this earlier, I'd have got really good drawings done.
In fact, my own apartment (now previous) is about to be taken down. I'd like to record it, but doing things in perspective - is my weak point. What's this style that you're using?
Let's stay connected. I'd like to try recording my apartment, and redoing what I have from the other one.
You might have actually set me free! I love crosshatching and love how it looks when other people do it but I have yet to make it work for me. But kind of kept persisting and still hating the results 99% of the time. Maybe it’s time to let them go. :)
What a great story! Just last night I was drawing a building that meant a lot to past-me (though not on location). Isn't it wonderful how just the shape of a place can hold so many memories and feelings?
Great post! I'm at the beginning of my sketching journey so this post resonated so much with the way I feel about my own drawing. The encouragement to carry on so that my drawings improve and my fear of being "seen" lessens over time is just what I needed to read. Thank you!
We’re there with you, starting to feel a little better than we did about our own drawing because you’re kind, helpful, mostly quiet as you sit there, and you’re not bothered by our presence, though, as you tell us your stories, we realize a younger you might have not appreciated us sitting there with you. And we grow a little more hope.
I enjoyed this post. The concern about people coming up to you while you were sketching resonated. That is always a big concern for me when I sketch outside. Most people walk by and the ones that stop are pleasant and complimentary. Yet, I still get nervous. 🤦🏻♀️
Great post and idea! I love the narrative personal bits and the reflection on your past self, particularly how grateful you are to him for doing this one thing 🥲
Thanks Eleanor. Past self has been pretty good to me.
I like the Idea, the text and BOTH sketches, and the notion of a time-machine. Thank you also for sharing your former worries about being watched, so helpful that others feel those things, too!
Still struggling to get into a sketching habit... Greetings from the antipodes (Austria)!
Thanks so much. Here's a piece I wrote about sketchbooks as time machines a while back that you might enjoy https://ajamesdraws.substack.com/p/sketchbooks-are-time-machines
I'll be in Austria in late August after the Urban Sketchers symposium in Poznan. Feel free to come and say hi if you spot me drawing!
I voted for "Musings on creativity", because I find that I almost always find some tidbit that speaks to me so much that I add it to my journal (giving you credit, of course :-) ). But I also love your tips and tricks, and stories like this one include your creativity musings. In fact, I recently sketched, my myself and in public, one of my hubby's band gigs. It's really not lovely. But after reading this post, I added to the journal page: "Ha ha, what I like most about this sketch is that I did it!" I'm so glad that there is SOMETHING to like about my sketch!! :-)
Ah thank you so much. And I'm really glad to help you find something you like in a drawing.
A while back I wrote this guide about what to do when you don't like your drawing. You might find it helpful to work out next steps. https://ajamesdraws.substack.com/p/what-to-do-when-you-dont-like-your
This was helpful - thanks! This summary of what can make a sketch better is handy, and I love a good flowchart!
A trip down recent memory lane! Just loved this story and the sentimental attachment behind it. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thanks for reading and for the kind words :)
Really enjoyed this post. - I have sometimes revisited a drawing from 15+ years ago and it is interesting to compare the drawings. It’s a mixed bag where sometimes I’m a little disappointed that there isn’t a more obvious uptick in how I like the drawing- sometimes I see massive growth. I appreciate that you also focused on your confidence during the process and how your approach has changed to drawing buildings. I may use this idea to revisit a drawing from exactly 15 years ago so I am not stacking the deck by redrawing a standout drawing from many years ago. As I look at my work over 15 years I see more consistency, more creativity in dealing with mishaps during the drawing process and generally having a more confident definitive approach over a sketchy tenuous line. I see growth in spiral-like patterns over the many years revisiting some of the same subjects but each drawing is unique and captures its own moment.
Thanks so much. I agree that learning is a spiral. You end up knowing things, but not learning them. It takes time to apply them; there aren't many shortcuts, and it can feel like you're going around in circles
I think the biggest changes in my work are similar: more confidence, more consistency, less concern.
Great story Andrew. Your posts are always so motivating. I really like this idea of going back and redrawing an early drawing.
Thanks Noreen. I hope you steal this idea :)
Oh I will!
thanks so much for sharing your beautiful memory
blessings from texas!
no worries, thanks for reading :)
Nice. This brings about a story from me. I had this bunglow near my apartment, recently, it was taken down, and a new apartment block stands in this place.
At different time intervals, I drew what I could. Unfortunately, the style you are using - is totally unknown to me. It looks cool, and I feel, had I known this earlier, I'd have got really good drawings done.
In fact, my own apartment (now previous) is about to be taken down. I'd like to record it, but doing things in perspective - is my weak point. What's this style that you're using?
Let's stay connected. I'd like to try recording my apartment, and redoing what I have from the other one.
Ah that's so relatable. I've had buildings on my "to-draw" list suddenly knocked down. Frustrating when we put things off.
I go into detail on my approach to buildings in this video: https://ajamesdraws.substack.com/p/blocks-and-buildings
You might have actually set me free! I love crosshatching and love how it looks when other people do it but I have yet to make it work for me. But kind of kept persisting and still hating the results 99% of the time. Maybe it’s time to let them go. :)
Permission to not crosshatch granted. Enjoy your freedom!
What a great story! Just last night I was drawing a building that meant a lot to past-me (though not on location). Isn't it wonderful how just the shape of a place can hold so many memories and feelings?
Things and not just things. They're containers for memories.
This building on it's own is nothing much, but the history makes it important to me.
Great post! I'm at the beginning of my sketching journey so this post resonated so much with the way I feel about my own drawing. The encouragement to carry on so that my drawings improve and my fear of being "seen" lessens over time is just what I needed to read. Thank you!
Yeah just keep drawing. That's the most important thing. Tips and tricks can help, but doing the work always helps.
We’re there with you, starting to feel a little better than we did about our own drawing because you’re kind, helpful, mostly quiet as you sit there, and you’re not bothered by our presence, though, as you tell us your stories, we realize a younger you might have not appreciated us sitting there with you. And we grow a little more hope.
Nice words, thanks Deb. Those are all the things I am aspiring to be so I'm really happy to hear all that.
I enjoyed this post. The concern about people coming up to you while you were sketching resonated. That is always a big concern for me when I sketch outside. Most people walk by and the ones that stop are pleasant and complimentary. Yet, I still get nervous. 🤦🏻♀️
Thankyou. Yeah the nervousness is annyoing. It doesn't make a tonne of sense and knowing that people are nice doesn't seem to help?
At some point, I got over it. I don't know there's any trick for it, just keep going. :)