During Part II of this course, I had to take a break from the course because my cat was so ill that she needed much care, and I was also extremely overworked. When I finally got back to course work in June, I found myself completely blocked by difficulties with the natural observation tasks. It took dimensions of a motivational crisis and although I never seriously considered quitting the course, I knew that I was at a point where I needed some help to get me back on track. So I contacted my tutor Diana for advice. Here’s our e-mail correspondence. Our conversation really helped and I was able to overcome the block.
My question on Saturday, 16 June 2012
Hi Diana,
I’ve made quite a pause from coursework, but gradually my life is getting back to normal. I’m still quite stressed because I have to submit a research proposal by 7 July, but nevertheless I wanted to slowly get back into coursework.
I made a pause after the first task in part 2, exploring coloured media, and started working on project 2, detailed observation. But I’m really stuck here and that’s why I ask for help. It seems that doing detailed drawing is something which I cannot motivate myself to do and I don’t know how I can overcome this block. At the moment, I’m really scared to drop off the course. I feel as if I have not the technical abilities, not the patience, my eyes do not capture details (my eyesight is getting bad), and the whole thing feels like a huge chore.
I made two tries: a line drawing of a red pepper cut in half, and a pencil drawing of a pineapple, but these drawings are so weak that I’m ashamed to present them. And all my further attempts to find something which I would be able to draw were in vain, I just wasn’t able to decide on a natural object which would sufficiently capture my interest for a one-hour drawing.
So I feel I’m badly stuck, and need some good advice how to resolve this block and get back on a more positive perception of the coursework. It’s not that I don’t like natural objects, on the contrary. It’s more a problem of the artificiality of the task to find an ‘object’ rather than simply drawing whatever I see and find interesting (provided it is natural). Would it be acceptable if I slightly adapted the tasks in a way which I can relate to more meaningfully?
Or should I just skip the tasks which I really don’t like? Any other idea how I might otherwise overcome the problem and find my way back into productive work?
Thanks for any ideas and feedback,
Patricia
Diana’s response on Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for your email… firstly don’t stress! Secondly drawing is time consuming and it cannot be mastered in one go, it can take a lot of time and patience to achieve what you want. I think because you are a little behind and have left the project for a bit, you are trying to play catch up and seeing it as a to-do list. It can be frustrating but keep at it.
Unfortunately you cannot skip the tasks you don’t like as it all part of the learning process. It is important you do all the tasks so you can learn to develop your own style. At the moment detailed drawing may not be for you but once you come across say something more experimental and expressive you may get more excited. Some students want to only do detailed drawing because it is structured. Everyone is completely different.
You suggested just drawing what is in front of you, try that, just do what you feel like by just drawing then go back to it and judge whether you like it or not. then come back to it and see if you can rectify it by adding in the technicalities. Although you cannot skip something you don’t like you can have a different approach….the beginning of the fundamentals of drawing can be hard but have a break, draw whatever you like, just play with materials, scribble or doodle and once you are in the flow tackle the task.
Maybe be somewhere comfortable….outside on a sunny day when you are feeling more relaxed.
Let me know if you want any more help…but do not give up…you’re not the only one with a block, it happens to us all artists.
All the best,
Diana.
My follow-up on Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Hi Diana,
thanks for your encouragement! I feel there’s much experience in what you’re writing, and it resonates with me. It’s just so difficult to find my own way in a completely new task. I guess you’re right and I’m not patient enough.
Writing to you seemed to have dissolved the block a bit. I briefly searched the internet for some guidance on the technical aspects and came across two artists which produce very different work but I can relate to both of them and found some new ideas how to approach the task, just from studying their work. I also bought a magnifying lens to see whether this can alleviate my eyesight problems with object details. And I thought about experimenting with different media for a change (while trying to improve in detailed observation), in addition to using pencil.
I also searched online for books on classical observational drawing, but there are so many that I’m not able to decide without looking inside. I’m a bit ambiguous about using step-wise instructions because I usually don’t like the “standardized” and uninspired results these books present as successful drawings. So I really want to do it my own way but nevertheless would appreciate some guidance to find smaller tasks which I can manage… I will continue to try and find simple tasks, but if you know of any recommendable books on learning how to draw, this
would be very much appreciated. And of course, any other additional advice!
Now I doubt that I will be able to meet the 1st August deadline we agreed upon… I think I must slow down on this topic because I need time for practicing and developing the skills. So I’d like to suggest 3rd September instead… would that be ok for you?
Thanks again,
Patricia
Diana on Thursday 21 June 2012
Hi Patricia,
I’m glad I helped in some way. September 3rd is fine.
Be steady and do things beyond the set exercises, get comfortable then tackle the tasks.
What you’ll find with drawing books is pretty much the same as they all follow the same rules…same as the OCA coursebook. I’d suggest not confusing yourself and getting more as the OCA is designed for OCA students. Maybe try this:
Leo Duff, Phil Sawdon. Drawing – The Purpose. (Intellect 2009)
Best,
Diana.
Patricia on Friday 22 June 2012
Hi Diana,
thanks for the advice about books, that’s reassuring. I’ll have a look at the one you recommended.
And I have some good news, the block seems to dissolve! The day before yesterday I made another drawing. The object isn’t really recognizable (or only after 5 minutes or so) but for the first time I felt that I have made a step forward. A huge relief and I can see some light at the end of the tunnel!
Hopefully I’ll soon get back into regular coursework like it was before, and will try to work towards 3rd September.
Thanks again for your encouragement.
Best,
Patricia
Diana on Thursday 28 June 2012
Hi,
That’s brilliant to hear…now enjoy!
Diana.