Expert: Gianina L. - 8/25/2004

Question
Hello Gianina.  I am a portait artist and am very much out of practice.  I am 35 years old and I want to get back into art again.  I was very good in high school.  I went to an advertising school for a semester after school, but had to drop out because of finances.  After that, I got married and had children.  I want to draw again, but I don't know where to start.  I still remember how to draw, but I tried jumping right into doing portaits again and I am failing miserably.  I have worked with watercolors, graphite, charcoals, pastels, colored pencils, and black and white acyrlics.  I received many art awards back in my time.  I want to be that good again, but I need a place to start.  I was wondering if you could give me some ideas on how to find my talent again?  I know it's there, I just need to reach it again.  Maybe you might be able to tell me some subjects and projects to start with so that I can reach my full potential again.  I do have a few pictures in my Yahoo briefcase that I might be able to direct you to so that you can see them.  I will send them in another letter if I can.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hello Valerie!   

Drawing skills, like anything else, will become rusty when the artist is out of practice, but it's never completely lost. Your mere desire to draw is the most important element. Even the most seasoned artists will go slightly stale sometimes after a break from active work. The best thing to do is to roll up your sleeves and take yourself back through the basics. Give yourself an accelerated introductory drawing course.

Nothing is better to begin again with than just good old pencil and paper. Start warming up your arm and hand-eye coordination by doing contour drawings, including blind contour, of any objects or people in your environment. Portraiture is your specialty, but considering the intricacies of that subject matter, you do not need to jump into that immediately. Failed attempts may just leave you feeling incompetent and discouraged. However, do begin to re-familiarize yourself with all the correct proportions of the human body and face. Visit your local library or bookstore if you want references to help move you along. The art section of either should host a plethora of good books that will also reiterate the basics of composition and design.

Set up your own still life. This will act as better practice subject matter. It may not be entertaining (actually, it can often be downright dull), but it's a truly wonderful basic. Be certain to choose a mixture of simple and interesting shapes. Draw the still life from every conceivable angle, and don't concern yourself about shading at first. Only worry about the linear aspects of the objects. Retrain your arm and hand to follow the lines you are seeing with your eye.

Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. The only true way to recover and improve your drawing ability is to simply practice until your arm falls off. Carry a small, portable sketchbook around with you and sketch everything in your environment: people, animals, plants, objects. Keep some of your sketches uncomplicated and super quick, while also taking the time to do more thought-filled, analytical sketches. Parks, malls, zoos – basically any location well populated – tend to be great sketching locations. Don't berate yourself on the ugly drawings that will inevitably pop out. That happens to us all, even when in constant practice mode. This sketchbook is for you; no one has to see these drawings.

Consider taking a drawing or painting class at a local school or community college. The class doesn't necessarily have to be a good one, but it will provide you with extra sets of eyes who can offer a different perspective on how to approach a subject or drawing, and perhaps give you pointers on your own work you may never have thought of yourself. Classes also simply provide a nice environment to quietly sit and concentrate on a piece of work.

Once you feel more comfortable with your pencil and paper, you can start experimenting with shading, texture, color, and media. Go crazy if you feel like it. Now is the time to throw artistic caution to the wind. Increase your number of practice sketches that involve people and faces. Start delving into actual portraits, and soon enough, you'll find your way once again as an artist.

If you've kept your drawings and sketches, after a significant time has passed – at least a month of good practice – line them up and you'll see how you've improved over time. Pat yourself on the back for this one. Yet, try to keep an objective eye to discover those little areas where you can improve. If you seek another person to help you critique any drawings, be sure to choose someone whose comments you won't take too much to heart. Drawing is difficult enough without throwing in injured feelings.

I can only hope this helps to send you down the right path. I'm willing to offer any additional advice you may need, but in the end, written advice can only go so far. Drawing and art is very much an active sport. Unless you are actually doing it, nothing will happen. Thankfully, hands seem to have a memory of their own, and in due time, you will find yourself in familiar artistic territory. Good luck!