I Schedule Away My Blockers

May 31, 2018

"One must from time to time attempt things that are beyond one's capacity."

                                                                         ~ Auguste Renoir

On the days when I am stuck, when I can't muster the will to draw, I think about drawing. It hangs around the edges of my thoughts. It is constantly with me, a reminder that I could be, should be drawing. And then the weekend comes and I can draw again. I sketch on Saturday mornings with a group of other Artists. Then Sunday comes around and I go to the Art Academy in Saint Paul. And I draw and paint figures for two hours.

I break through my blocks by employing an old technique called scheduling intentionality When I have a schedule, it is intentional. When I am intentional, I force myself to do something, to experience something. Eventually, it becomes a habit. 

This habit may not improve my drawing or painting, but I know absolutely that if I do nothing, my drawing and painting will never improve. This is why I go every week and keep my schedule. I've discovered that the drawings do become marginally better over time. It's like muscle training or conditioning. Some of the strokes, movements and line work become second nature. Instinctually, I can draw features better over time.

There are no magical secrets or short cuts to drawing and painting like a master. It takes hard work and practice. It takes an open-mindedness and willingness to look your mistakes in the eye and accept them. The secret to becoming a great Artist, is hard work. Since I want to become a good Artist, I practice.

These drawings represent some of the work I do at the Art Academy. Sketching figures that pose for a minute, up to 30 minutes. It forces you to practice, and to learn how to judge proportions and angles. 

An art teacher once told me, "If you want to get better at drawing, draw".