how to decide what to draw

Today's post is the tertiary in a three-part question asked by Carolyn, who is new to colored pencils. The topic for today is deciding what to describe next, and how to know it's worth the time it takes to finish. Here's her question.

I asked my cartoon teacher, an artist herself, how you decide what is worthy to be the subject matter upon which you spend then much time? I approximate I have my greatest indecision in this expanse.

Wow! What a question! Thanks for aking it!

My outset response is to enquire whether you lack decisiveness because you take too many ideas or also few. Both tin can be a problem when y'all really desire to brand fine art!

So let me answer the question from the bespeak-of-view of having likewise many ideas and having also few ideas. And so I'll conclude with a few general thoughts.

(And if I've totally missed the betoken of your question, ask it again in the comments below.)

Deciding What to Depict Next

When You Take Too Many Ideas

Most of u.s.a. think that having too many ideas is not a problem at all; it's a blessing. And speaking from personal experience, I tin can hold with that. Sometimes.

But there are times when then many things wait like worthwhile subjects that I cannot decide which i to do outset. Nigh of the time, dozens of ideas await expert, but no unmarried idea is clearly the favorite. Information technology'south like a horse race in which all the horses finish at the aforementioned time. Which one is best?

If this is the problem making you indecisive in choosing your next subject, then the best thing I can recommend is to write each idea on a slip of paper, put the slips into a jar, and draw one out.

Do that drawing, then choose the next one the same way if necessary.

I'm guessing y'all won't have to do this very frequently, because later one or 2, an idea will lite a fire inside and yous'll know what to draw next.

Yes. I know. It sounds pretty corny. It's like drawing straws to brand a decision!

But if your ideas are all equal enough that none really stands out, this is a great way to brand a selection.

When Yous Accept Too Few Ideas

I've always had times when cypher looks worth drawing. As much as also many ideas frustrates me, having no good ideas is fifty-fifty worse. Such a total lack of enthusiasm for annihilation tin atomic number 82 to stagnation and do so quickly.

I take 2 suggestions for this trouble: One I've used myself, and one I've heard recommended by other artists.

The Recommended Idea

Spend five to ten minutes looking at photographs. They tin be your own photos, or from a photo website like Pixabay. The source doesn't actually matter so long as the images are royalty complimentary.

Don't spend any more than five or x minutes. Pick a reference and describe it, whatever information technology is.

Don't worry about whether or not it's a favorite subject (or a hated subject.) Simply. Draw.

My Favorite Method

What I prefer to do is describe something from life. I've drawn pebbles, the mouse of my computer, the door handle on a 1973 Capri, and many other things that are totally out of my usual fare. My favorite things to sketch this way are the oaks beyond the street.

You see, when you accept as well few ideas (or no ideas,) what you really need isn't an thought.

What y'all really need is something to go you started. Little sketches and life studies are perfect for that. They don't have to be of import. They don't even have to be finished. All they need to practise get yous cartoon.

But what oftentimes happens is that whatever you lot outset drawing leads to the next "serious" field of study. Maybe yous determine that quick sketch is ideal for a more finished cartoon, and y'all're off and cartoon! What could exist better?

What to draw next when you have no ideas. Draw the first thing that catches your eye. — When yous have likewise few ideas what to draw side by side—or none at all—only await out your window (or in your studio) and draw the start matter you see. Information technology doesn't take to be great. It just needs to get y'all started. Yous might also try a dissimilar medium. Colored pencils are my go-to medium, but I did this sketch with watercolor pencils or watercolor (I don't retrieve which.)

What's Worth Cartoon

Everything!

Anything you choose to depict is worth the time. Why? Because drawing anything is better than cartoon nothing.

And everything you describe teaches you something about colored pencils and getting them to do what you want to do with them. How tin can that kind of fourth dimension exist poorly spent?

Whether you have too many or too few ideas virtually what to practice next, continue 1 thing in mind. Any subject that you lot are fastened to is probably worth taking the time to draw.

Deciding What to Depict Side by side

Carolyn, when you asked how long it should accept to practise a colored pencil piece, y'all said y'all enjoyed the piece of work and institute the results satisfying no matter how long it took.

That tells me that you lot are able to discover subjects to draw that hold your attention long enough to keep you lot interested until they're finished.

It also tells me that time really doesn't matter that much to you. The 3 months yous spent on the dahlia were enjoyable, weren't they?

I guess what I'm really trying to tell yous is to pay attention to yourself and your instincts. Draw the things that concenter y'all and don't worry about what other artists are cartoon. Trying to go on upwardly with others is a sure style to squelch your creativity.

Don't. Do information technology!

Carrie L. Lewis

Carrie L. Lewis has been an artist longer than she can remember. An oil painter from her teens, she began using colored pencils because they were platonic for highly detailed work, and were easier to transport and use at horse shows. She now uses colored pencils almost exclusively. From the beginning, horse were a favorite discipline, and she's been an equine portrait creative person for most of her career. When she began cartoon with colored pencil (and after a motility to Kansas,) she found special dazzler in landscapes, and landscapes are now what she draws most often. The rugged Flintstone Hills region of eastern Kansas is at the top of her list of cute places to visit and describe.