[size="4"]Hi. I am learning to draw. I own Brenda H's book: Drawing for Dummies and several other learning to draw books. But, one thing none of the books I have read talk about is overcoming the anxiety of starting out. I copy some of the simple stuff that others have done, but when I try to use the same techniques on my own ideas it never seems to come out. I'll have you know that as a beginner I know not to expect perfection on the first or second try, but even the simple stuff seems to come out wrong.

I started drawing after my only child died in a car accident to give my mind and hands something to do. I find I am good at it when I try but I have Adult ADD and this interferes with the patience part of learning to draw.

Right now I am asking if anyone has any ideas on what I can do to go from here...

Thank you in advance so If I forget to do it later...


Kris
Salt Lake City Utah

Hi Kris

Firstly, very sorry to hear of your loss, you have our sympathies.


OK, lets talk about drawing - well, the first good news is that basic drawing supplies are not expensive, because practice is an important part of improving, and its good to get into a frame of mind where no individual drawing is that important - its not a big deal if it has problems, and, even with the good ones, if you can do it once, you can do it again

Drawings really about training yourself to compare what you see in your subject, with what you see in your drawing, and then adding to, or correcting the drawing to bring it as much into line with the appearance of your subject as you can (this would also be true if you were drawing from imagination, or in a deliberately stylised way, for example doing a caricature - but trying to draw real things in front of you reasonably accurately is a good place to start).

I'd suggest that it would be a good idea to post some of your drawings here, let us see what you are doing (and tell us where you think you are going wrong), and we may be able to make particular suggestions and offer help. Don't be shy, as the regulars here are very gentle and supportive.

I'd add that some degree of anxiety is very common, even in people who are very experienced - "can I make this one come out right - my last drawing was good, but what happens if this one isn't?" I think most of us know this feeling. I think it tends to dissipate if you can actually just make a start, settle into the process of drawing. There are specific technical approaches for getting proportions right, and for doing shading, and these can be applied in an organised stepwise manner.

Also, check out the tutorials here, and the challenges.

Dave

Thank you for your post. I appreciate it very much!

Kris

Try not to be so hard on yourself if a drawing doesn't come out the way you wanted. There's bound to be something of merit in a piece, even if it's just one line of a drawing or the fact that you really enjoyed yourself when you created it. Hang on to your drawings, especially your early stuff. It's really rewarding seeing progress, especially if you think you haven't made any.

Work out your frustrations and anxieties by sketching a lot of faster drawings before you move to doing what you 'want' to draw. I personally keep sketchbooks that I won't show to other people, I allow myself to make mistakes without worrying what other might think. I don't keep a diary but they're almost the same thing to me.

HI Kris~

I too am very sorry for the loss of your child, it's unimaginable what you have gone through.

I am also in the same boat as far as the drawing anxiety. The previous posts are great advice and you will get all of the help that you need... just ask.

What I like to do to get rid of the anxiety is find a comfy chair and sit and relax for a while try not to move around. Close your eyes and try to think of NOTHING( it's hard but you will be able to do it ) instead of thinking, listen to your breathing, feel yourself breathing in deep and out deep. If you can focus on your breathing you will start to relax, you are actually meditating.( sometimes I get a tingling sensation)

You will feel very relaxed and peaceful. Now is when you should try some drawing exercises.... scribble if you want to, just get comfy with your pencils.

Now this works for me when I'm stressed( I also suffer from ADD and also OCD which def. does not help when I want to draw.

Listen to everyone's advice and use what will help you. Good Luck!