I'm in Cindy's Drawing and Shading course, with only two more assignments to do and two and half weeks to do them in - the column fold and ''the shoe''. All of a sudden I feel scared - not really sure why. Maybe it's the thought of the shoe and wondering if I'll be able to do it justice. I know that I can only do my best and the more I practice the better my best will become. I also know that I just have to keep showing up at the table and bit by bit the work will get done. I know it will be easier if I approach it as a series of smaller steps (and chunks of time) rather than one huge one. And I have no doubt that as long as I keep growing and pushing the boundaries, fear will always be there - by my side - so I might as well make her welcome.

So after all that, I think what I'm trying to say is that I still feel scared and that's okay. It's really good sometimes just to be able to tell it like it is - I'm so glad this forum is here.

And if anyone has any "shoe" wisdom they would like to share - I would love to hear it.

The shoe. I spent much time scared, feeling not sure how to do it - Well, it did take me lots of time, but I'm happy that I tried

A strategy I can add is this: always have a spare sheet of paper on the table. Sometimes even a small step feels a bit scaring...in that case you can just start *trying* it first on the spare paper. You can get a clearer idea, while your hand/eyes/mind warmed-up nicely

A good quot that is used buy a guy I know on the airbrush forum is "It's just paint, have fun!" Same here, it's just a drawing, take your time, and have fun..
Guess I should follow my own advice.. got a drawing that has been sitting.. do a smidgen here and there and leave it.. not sure if it is fear or boredom.. Oh, and unlike paint, you can erase pencil rather easy and completely so don't be afraid!

Hi Metta! I think we all struggled with the shoe - you are not alone. I've told my husband several times when I've started a new drawing "I can't draw - I've forgotten how!". But you just sit down and begin and do a little and then a little more and maybe you realize you can do better, so you redo some areas and slowly, oh so slowly things start to click. And before you know it, you have the beginning of a good drawing. And then, you just embellish it and keep up that higher standard. I suppose I'm lucky in that I don't "fear" doing anything when it comes to drawing. What's the worse thing that can happen? Maybe you don't do as well as you would have liked. But if you do it again, you will have learned from your first attempt and your next try will be better. It's just a process of learning, and I love learning.

For me the most challenging part of the shoe was the laces. Oh how I struggled with those. I was having a hard time following Cindy's instructions - everything seemed straight forward, but the pattern just wasn't looking right to me. So one evening I sat down with a pad of paper and repeated the steps to duplicate the herringbone pattern until I was comfortable making the pattern. (I also used a magnifying glass when working on the laces of my drawing - big help!)

Best of luck to you, I'm sure you will do a beautiful job!

Barb

Hi Metta -

Well, I, for one, couldn't relate more. I actually have an adrenaline rush when I start working on my final projects. And I can't tell you how many times I've stomped away from "the table" in the last several months, convinced that whatever I was laboring over was lousy. But weirdly enough, whenever I looked at the projects the next day, I couldn't really figure out what it was, exactly, that so frustrated me the day before.

The shoe was truly intimidating to me because it approached a level of photorealism that I never, ever would have believed I could achieve, if I drew from now until "thy kingdom come" (as my husband is fond of saying). It was more some kind of awe of the expected final result than the actual process, which Cindy outlines quite carefully.

I also find, as Barb said, that at some point something clicks and then you are just in the groove. I spent a lot more time with the original outline drawing of the shoe (which was the simplest part, theoretically) than each part of the shading, which went better than I expected. Soon I was carried away by making it look real and adding all the little details - and at the end, I realized that I actually didn't even remember shading the sole at the bottom at all because I was so involved!

Oh, and I completely co-sign the advice about the shoelaces. A magnifying glass makes all the difference!

Your shoe is beautiful Rumiko! Just seeing it has inspired me. And thanks for your suggestion - I will certainly have a spare piece (or pieces) of paper on my table. I definitely think practice, practice and more practice is the key. It's great to be part of such a supportive community.

Thank you

Thanks Airscapes for reminding me about the fun factor. It really is about having fun - otherwise what's the point? I'm also reminded of one of my favourite quotes from Oscar Wilde, which I have on my coffee mug "Life is too important to be taken seriously." I think I'll keep it on my table from now on to remind me.

[quote name='barbz' date='Oct 27 2009, 05:30 AM' post='124661']
What's the worse thing that can happen? Maybe you don't do as well as you would have liked. But if you do it again, you will have learned from your first attempt and your next try will be better. It's just a process of learning, and I love learning.


I love learning too, Barb. Thanks for your warm words of encouragement. I can already see how much I've improved since I started with Cindy and how I learn more each time I re-submit an exercise - often more than once! All I can do is my best, and as long as I keep doing that I'll be satisfied. Cindy will take care of the rest - as she helps us strive to do better. Keep up the great work, Barb - would also love to see more of your artworks.

Hi Nuffy - you've hit the nail on the head! The fear was definitely more about the expected result than the actual process. I just need to take it one step at a time and then it will be manageable. But first things first - I need to get on with my column fold - so I'm off to my table, with mug (Oscar) in hand to remind me to lighten up and have fun! And a magnifying glass sounds like a really great idea for when I get to the fine detail of the shoe.

And speaking of shoes, would love to see your shoe, Nuffy - is it posted on the forum somewhere?

Not sure what Cindy's teaching (except that she's obviously teaching the right stuff, judging by everyone's results), but one thing I see again and again across different sites, and in my own learning process too, is that people tend to underestimate the importance of getting the initial placements and proportions correct, and try to hurry this stage along, thinking they ought to be able to "just do it", quickly, and that the "important" and "advanced" stuff is to do with shading and rendering.

I'd suggest that its important to realise that getting initial placements and proportions accurate is something that is well worth taking lots of time over, and that its OK to spend time doing that - we often see work that is very well-rendered, but where the drawing (or painting - I see lots of oil-paintings let down by inaccurate drawing) looks "wobbly" because those initial proportions and placements have been rushed. Take your time, enjoy the process of getting your proportions/placements/outlines accurate - it can be slow at first, speed comes with experience and practice, but prizes don't get won for the fastest drawing, but for the best one.


Dave

Hi Metta!

My shoe is over in the "final artworks" thread," first page.

I had to really psyche myself up to post any of my drawings at first, although I eventually got over it.

-amy

Oh, Metta, I know how you feel. That shoe sure is intimidating, isn't it? I've seen your other work, though, so I know you'll do well.

Thanks Donna. I'm really looking forward to seeing your shoe - you seem to be such a natural when it comes to shading. Glad to be sharing the journey with you.

Good topic Metta, Everyone suffers from the fear thing! But fear from what, is what is interesting! Really, there is nothing to fear! We listen to those litle voices telling us that we can't, when we can, and we can actually really well! I think a small bit of anxiety is what makes me try a little harder to produce a piece that I'm proud of! I know when I start. I always feel abit of anxiety but I gain confidence as I see my progression
You will do well with the shoe! What you are feeling is normal and is what will help you do a marvelous job! looking forward to seeing it !

Thanks for your great suggestions, Dave, and the reminder that it is well worth the effort to take lots of time on initial placements and proportions. I'm finding that the more I work on a project eg the shoe, the better I am able to see it. Still have a really long way to go, but I've made a start and that feels great.

Love your gallery, especailly your painting of "painting tools and materials". Look forward to seeing more of your artworks in future.