Shifting Styles and Interests

Veggie Exercises, watercolor, by Katie Turner

It’s educational to take some time and look back over your own art journey.  I wanted to see where I might have shifted or made changes in how I was working, so I pulled out boxes of old art and sketchbooks to explore.

When I looked over works I had done 10 years ago and weeded through to my current interests, I found clues to my own development. 

I’m sure many artists have similar artistic growth and development.  I found in the beginning where I was learning how to control paint, making and fixing mistakes, developing skills, earning approval and entering many shows, competitions and producing awkward, stiff, uncomfortable, cliche and possibly overworked art.

Then slowly emerging, sputtering like an old car in fits and starts, were the later pieces where I craved artistic freedom, heart-felt expression, exploration of thought, commentary, stories and more. 

All of it necessary and all of it shaping me into the artist I am today.  The place of most freedom seemed to be where I could pour my passion into my work without trying to prove myself. 

As an artist, I will always be learning.  The process is necessary to help me find my style, my interest, my artistic voice.  It can sometimes feel like I’m blind and struggling to figure out where to go, what to do next.  But I know that it’s a process and I don’t have to have all the answers now. 

Here are some things I tell myself to keep moving forward:

1. Remember to make art everyday – even if it’s just 15 minutes!
2. Growth happens over time – be patient.
3. New things can be uncomfortable – it’s worth it!
4. Don’t avoid mistakes, problems, failures – get rid of perfectionism.
5. Listen and learn from experts but go your own way.
6. It’s okay to do things different.
7. Trying new things will bring expansion – what haven’t I tried yet?
8. Follow your nose – if it interests you, follow that path
9. Ask curious questions – What if…?
10. Analyze yourself – are you happy with the direction you’re moving?

I’d be interested to hear if you have identified your own creative process?  Do you have your own prompts or help list? Are any of these above things you do?  I’d love to hear about it.  Please share below.

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White Vase and Fruit on Table, watercolor, by Katie Turner

Easy Guide to Drawing

Realistic drawing has never been something I’ve strived towards, but this book has so many great basic exercises and tips that I have to mention it here.  “See, Think, Draw: An Easy Guide To Realistic Drawing and Beyond” by Scott Maier just published in 2022 has lots of information for the artist to help with drawing.  The chapters and exercises build upon one another helping the artist to make better decisions in the process of drawing.  The book covers basic skills, animals and objects, people, scenes and skies.  If you haven’t taking a drawing course before or if you need a refresher, you’ll find this book helpful.

My favorite chapters are #4 People & Portraits, for the info on hand and finger proportions and #5 Scenes & Skies for the approach for sketching clouds.

I found the book in my local library, but if you want to own it yourself, it runs about $25 on average.

What are some of your favorite things to sketch? Share below.

Sketch of clouds that also looks strangely like a paw.