Choosing What To Draw

Out of all these sketches I've done, personally, I wanted to do the one on the top left.  However, everyone in my class wanted me to do the second one from the left on the bottom.  I didn't want to do that one!  I noticed that it is important that I do what I like to do, because I was worn out quickly finishing this project.  It made me think: if I am trying to please other people maybe it's important to do what others like to see despite of my personal preference...  I wonder what it's like to draw for other people in the real world?  

Another Beginning

I completed this project after learning how to draw what’s in my head using photo references, but without being controlled by one. I wished this was where I was with my art when I started college.  Now that I know how to do that, I feel like I can really start exploring for my style.  

Using References

Oh, I had such a hard time in this class.  Unlike previous classes where something was already there for me to draw, I had to decide on my own what to draw for this class.  The requirement was to bring references to class.  Instead of deciding what to draw and then taking pictures for reference, I took pictures of something around me and then based my paintings off of that.  Because of it, all my projects looked exactly like the photos I took, and I did not like them.  

References are there to help artists draw what they want to draw and not there to tell them what to draw.   This whole time I was being controlled by the references.  That’s why all my projects looked the same as my references!  Oh well.  This mushroom project was the one that helped me to realize that.  

Teachers' Critique

Some people quit art saying they don’t like to be told what to do with their art.  Because of this reason, I was really nervous to start school.  However, as I started school I noticed that it was when I actually did what my teacher told me to do that I learned the most.  I didn't notice until I actually followed their instruction, but their critiques were usually based on design principles and not on their personal opinions.  My drawings are already looking better! Thanks to the teacher, I even received an honorable mention at a student art show held by the school for the drawing on the bottom right.  

My Grand Beginning

Now, this is where I started.  Looking back in my life I remember doing a lot of art, but it wasn't until senior year in high school that I realized I actually enjoyed art.  These were some of my very first projects I did in college after deciding to pursue my education in art.  Since both classes were taken on line I completed these assignments without much professional advice.  therefore they are worthy to be called my grand beginning, and it will be interesting to see where I will go.