Heather Ross Challenge – One Week
Between getting really sick and spending large amounts of time putting fabric around comic book boards, there has been almost no sewing lately.
However, the one thing I have kept up on is the Heather Ross Drawing Challenge. When I was teaching at UC Santa Cruz, I told my game design students that they could be good at anything, it just required them to practice the crap out of it. But of course, I didn’t take my own piece of advice… I’ve wanted to improve my drawing for years. I’ve got some basics down from when I took some art classes years ago, but I’d draw one thing, get frustrated, and move on.
So when Heather Ross posted her drawing challenge – draw every day for 3 weeks – I had to try it. It’s been one week, and I thought I’d post my progress, because I’m really excited by it! I really want to be able to draw animals, so my drawings have almost entirely focused on my pets.
I definitely still have frustrating days, and days where I suddenly can’t draw for some reason, but it’s been a great exercise for me to work past that, and not give up. And it makes the successes so much more meaningful. I took pictures of every page of my sketch book and posted them to flickr, including the ones that frustrated me, so I have a
visual journal of my progress.
Is anyone else doing the challenge? It’s not too late, and I’d say it’s really worth it if drawing is something you want to improve at.
-Anne
wow!!!!!! that’s really striking – maybe I should give it a go. And your dog is adorable!
You should totally give it a go!! I have more frustrating days than good days, but I imagine over time that will change.
I love my dog’s face so much! It’s probably the most fun thing to draw, ever.
Great progress! On those days you don’t seem to be able to draw, try a few things I learned in art classes. Try drawing with your “off” hand. Do a scribble or two of your drawing without looking at your paper. Try looking at the subject for a period of time, then try to draw without looking at the subject. Lastly, and this was the most important for me, remember the process is what is important when practicing, not the results. I’m impressed with what a quick study you are.
Ooooh I remember doing those in art classes now that you mention it! Those are fantastic ideas!! Thank you.
There’s also the “draw without taking your pencil off the paper” exercise which I never totally understood, but it made fantastic spaghetti squiggles.
Thank you!
And you’re right about the process. It’s so easy to forget that part.
Wow! Awesome job, what an improvement! I am inspired by what you have done and think I will try it.
Thank you! I hope you do try it! I really strongly believe everyone can draw, it just requires getting past the really frustrating bits.
Kinda like quilting!