My name is Tina. I am a single mother of a busy 2 yr. old with a high and lofty (some would say a delusion of grandeur) goal of writing a children's book and illustrating it myself...

I've been a newbie for many years now - lots of starts with good intentions that fizzled out as soon as things hot hairy and scary in my life. I feel very free and alive when I draw. I also love it when I finish a piece and no matter how amateurish it is, it is still much better than I thought it would be!

I can't believe how unselfish Brenda is to allow us to view the lessons online for free. It makes me want to become a premium member as soon as possible. For one reason, to give back and help this site continue as I know these lessons are very valuable to me, AND so I can draw away from the computer ! If I spend too much time at my computer while my very intuitive child is awake, the computer becomes an enemy to be scorned

So far, prior to finding this site, I have only done a couple of outline drawings and a couple of Doug DuBosque's drawings in his Draw Desert Animals series. I am really looking forward to learning and meeting everyone. I don't have a lot of time to post, but I will do my best!

It is very encouraging to see the work of those of you who have only been drawing a few months! I know I am in the right place because I am 44 yrs. old, and if I am to achieve my high and lofty goal , I know I will need divine intervention and lots of great instruction, diligence, encouragement and feedback!

Hi Tina and welcome to the site, the ambitions you have are achievable, that doesn't make them high and lofty in my book.
You are definately in the right place for the drawing education, and the range of skills of the people that use this site's forums means that there is always help available if you need it.
Practice hard and often and you will soon be well on your way to achieving part one of your goal. I look forward to seeing your progress, and reading your book!!

RJS

Hello and welcome,
It's a beautiful idea making a drawing book for children, not at all "grand-illusional" (is there such a word in English? ) As for unselfishness of Brenda, I totally agree, it's what a true artist does: share with less experienced, drive them on their own way. Check her lessons, are great, based on her own experience and that means a lot.
I myself didn't post anything, just comment. Hopefully I will start posting some day.

Fatcat

Welcome Tina,

Yes, you did hit the goldmine when you entered into Drawspace. Brenda has provided an outstanding resource for practically everyone to find just what they need to become a personal artist. And the important thing is that she believes that anyone can draw. You just have to be able to practice at it. Well, you are in good company, as I believe many of our members are in your own age bracket. Seems a lot of people out there are finding more time for this passion in their later years. I was always too preoccupied with school and moving toward that career goal. Well, once I've done that, I feel its time to find my true inner self. That is where this site will come in handy for me. I have quite a few visionary projects in mind, but just don't know the way or have the skills to put them down into a presentable piece yet.

Well, time will only tell. Waiting to see some of your work.

Keep posting,
Eric

Thanks so much for the warm welcome and all the encouragement.

I think for me, self-discipline is the greatest obstacle of all. That is another reason that I joined this forum. When I see an email in my box from the forum, I somehow feel a bit of accountability to keep at it and remember my goals . Like you said, Eric, I feel like I am finally becoming who I really am. I was a nurse for 20 years, and a burnt out one for 10 of those years. It is time to enjoy living again.

I actually paid $2500 dollars for Art Instruction School. My then 18 year old son died of an accidental drug overdose, despite all the prayers and help we could muster. I had just started the program. I put it down and didn't pick it up again for a year after asking for an extension, then put it down again. In addition to feeling bad about wasting the tuition money, I also know I could be so much further along now if I had hung in there - at least the second time around. That "quitter" feeling is a nasty one...

I am grateful to Brenda for the lessons.

Time to get started...Again....

You guys are awesome

Tina

Tina,

Well, I can say that you thowing money away isn't all that uncommon. I joined a local fitness club with all intentions to work at getting in terrific shape after many years without a scheduled fitness program. Well, I was doing really good for about half a year, then had a small skiing accident that put my fitness on hold for a while, even though my fitness club contract still required me to pay. Well, when the injury healed, I still didn't get back on that routine yet, however I've been paying monthly for over a year and a half without using it. I call it my personal penalty fund, sort of a penance for not taking better care of myself and working too hard. I can always go back, just need a swift kick to get my motivation going again.

Well, I hope we kickstarted your motivation and should see you getting out those pencils and paper and putting them together in creation mode. Hope to see something in your gallery soon.

Take care,
Eric

Eric,I have been complaining to my fitness club over 8 months now.I am in no better shape now than I was when I joined.Now if I'm reading your post right,are you saying that I actually have to go there and do something?

Hi and welcome to the forum

Tina.... I just had to comment to you. First of all, I love your goal. Secondly, this is ENTIRELY attainable. The motivation...that is something you will have to work on as you work on your drawing skills, but you can, just as you can learn to draw. Trust me, you are in the right place. There is no teacher like Brenda Hoddinott....there are no lessons like hers. I recently (as in like 2 weeks ago) celebrated exactly 1 year drawing. I found her books 11 months ago, and now do commissioned portraiture, murals, fine art commissioned acrylic paintings, etc.

You are in the right place, just work to push yourself some each day. Draw each day.

Ray

hello and welcome to drawspace have fun