In my last blog post l told you how l was feeling fed up because l have had so many disasters lately. It is so easy to get discouraged about our work. It doesn’t take much to knock my confidence. Four pieces gone to the cupboard of no return - that had definitely left me feeling bad. But it can be something as simple as looking through too much amazing art on social media or a strange comment someone makes. We all know the feeling. And when you start feeling discouraged you don’t produce your best work and feel more discouraged and start a downward cycle. So what can we do to make ourselves feel better and quickly? This is one thing I do. It is guaranteed to make you feel better in a few hours. Find an old piece of art. Make sure you take a photo of it, just as it is. And then spend a few hours working on it. You want to know why this is so motivating? Well, the first reason that this is a really good pick me up, is that it is fun. All the tedious under layers are done, all you are doing is tweaking a piece. The best bits!
The second reason is that it is quick (comparatively). A piece like the one above would take me around a week from scratch. But l spent just five hours working on the old piece to improve it. So you see results fast. And finally of course you see the progress you have made, l can see that the colors are richer and deeper. I can see that l have added more detail. I can see much more contrast. And l can see that the whole piece is much sharper. After spending a few hours working on this piece l felt so much more motivated and ready to start on a fresh piece in a much more positive frame of mind. Such a simple thing to do. So, if you are feeling a bit demotivated go and have a look for an older piece and give it a try. You will soon feel so much better.
4 Comments
Thank you so much for this post and the one before it. I'm trying to teach myself how to draw and watercolor and I get discouraged a lot. I thought it was just me. I'm a huge fan of your artwork and it really helps me to know that an accomplished artist like you struggles with some of the same things that I find myself feeling discouraged about. Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts in these posts. I really appreciate it!
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Sallyann
2/9/2019 04:58:56 pm
I am soooo happy if l help just one person to feel better about their art. I write these things because l really believe that most of us feel this way at times. And art should be a pleasure and a joy and we should all experience that joy however far along we are on our art journey. Learning to be happy with seeing your own progress is hard but so worthwhile. Thank you for your kind words.
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Marjorie
2/18/2019 11:07:22 am
I'm smiling just thinking about what I am going to do next! :-)
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Sallyann
2/20/2019 09:26:39 am
I am so happy if l have made anyone feel better about their art and motivated to draw !
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