If you had joined me the other morning and sat beside me on a bench on Main Street as I drew the picture above, it would have been pretty easy for you to spot all the differences between my subject and my drawing.
Some things are out of place. The barrel was actually on the left, but I missed it while drawing the bags, so I placed it on the right.
The lamp post wasn’t quite that tall, the tree wasn’t quite that short, and the awning wasn’t nearly that crooked.
And I took liberties with the colors. The posts weren’t really maroon. They were made of brown oak, but I’d had enough of that, having already colored in the wooden bench, barrel, and trash can. I was ready for something other than brown.
You might’ve thought, “Hmm, that doesn’t look right.” But you would have had no idea how right it felt to me.
It felt right because I was doing something I’d been wanting to do for some time: go downtown and draw one of the store fronts. It felt right because the sun was shining and I was having fun attempting something new and slightly more complex. It felt right because I love using my Faber Castell pens to add color to my drawings.
Consequently, when I gaze upon it, it even looks right because I can see my progress and imagine doing more of this.
When you draw or do anything creative, allow yourself to enjoy the process whatever the outcome. To paraphrase an old Barbara Mandrell song, if loving it is wrong, you don’t want to be right.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
For me this year seems to be all about finding ways to enjoy the process more and worry about the outcome less. Not so easy for a recovering perfectionist.
But it seems to me that the enjoyment tends to show through in the outcome. At least, it absolutely does in your drawing. I totally want to go sit on that bench!
.-= Victoria Brouhard´s last blog ..The Shmorian Thing-Finding Methodology =-.
Thanks, Victoria. Downtown Cape Girardeau is a great place to sit and draw. There’s an antique store filled with cool things to draw. I’m working up the courage to ask the owner if I can come and sit for a while with my pens and paper.
I’m only just getting to grips with the beauty of ‘imperfection’ myself. And Faber Castell pens are AWESOME for working quick! I carry my set (grey & sepia tones, plus black & a few choice colours) everywhere with me now, along with an a5 pad. Some sketches end up as near masterpieces, some end up as mere placeholders for ideas. The important thing is that I actually keep drawing now; at bus stops, on trains, sat in town eating lunch, in the pub, in the park.
I fear nothing but fear itself; so long as I am creating, I’m still moving.
)
What an inspiring comment, Jed. I especially love your last line, so much so that I shared it on my Facebook page. Thank you.
most welcome, sir!
and thank you too.
.-= jed´s last blog ..a short one (snigger!) =-.
It all looks alright to me, Ken! Nothing wrong with a little creative license now and then. I’ve really been enjoying your colorful new drawings, and of course your always inspiring blog!
You made a good title and a good point there, Ken.
I think I will remember this for quite a time
“Art Doesn’t Have to Look Right to Feel Right.”
It’s so right, I mean so feels right~
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Just Dance =-.