Learning to draw is a long, steady process. In fact it never ends! People ask me – `How long would it take me to learn to draw?` I say -` A lifetime`. Even after nearly 40 years I still feel like a beginner, especially when I see the work of the really great masters – which I did a few weeks ago at Kenwood House in Hampstead, London – Rembrandt & my big hero Frans Hals.
I`ve seen many keen beginners give up after a short time. Its that first big hurdle of self-doubt that stops them.
I can remember giving up several times at the beginning. Throwing my art materials on the floor in an angry fit of frustration.
It took me years to be able to sit at my easel and draw or paint for a whole day. What some call the`muse` comes to help. The ability to concentrate, to be in the `zone`, when time passes & one is lost in a deep,
focussed, concentrated state of being, similar to meditation. I don`t have to be in the right mood to draw,
as soon as I sit at my easel and start to draw I am off and don`t want to be interrupted for the rest of the day.
As in learning to play a musical instrument , it is best to do a bit every day, it could be a session of 2 hours or just 10 minutes sketching on a park bench. 15 minutes per day is better than 3 hours once a week. The mind will give up protesting that this a waste of time and start to enjoy this pleasant unusual daily habit.
I love drawing & thank God that I have an occupation that I never tire of doing, so don`t give up!
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