When I started drawing again, I didn’t know it was going to become such an important part of my life.
I’d opened a free Skillshare account to watch Danielle Clough’s embroidery class. Then I saw a class on how to use Procreate. I’d always loved watching stories on Instagram of people using the program, I’d just never thought it would be something I could do.
My first class was Cat Coq’s Procreate for Beginners. At the end of that, I let my Skillshare account move on to paid, and I’ve since watched 96 classes centred around art and drawing.
I’d always known I had a desire to create, but I was funnelling that into writing. I had developed a daily practice, and I had my first poorly written novel under my belt as well as quite a few half-completed tales. The thing was, I found writing hard and not nearly as satisfying as completing that first drawing.
Since then (Early Feb 2021), I’ve drawn almost every day. I’ve moved on from writing and I’ve never felt happier. Drawing fits more easily into my lifestyle. I value the immediacy of the reward of finishing a piece and then being able to share it, instead of working and hoarding my writing in a vacuum.
I started with drawing whatever I felt like, then I started getting interested in selling my art, and starting a career in surface design. For the first time it feels like a possibility. But I’m realising there needs to be more purpose to my efforts.
I need to have a plan, and the beginning of that plan is here. I’m searching for my voice, my one liner, the explanation of who I am and what you can expect to find from me.
So I went back through 139 artworks on Instagram and picked out my Top 9. They were mostly towards the top of my feed. My skill level has definitely improved over time.
These nine designs represent my style so far. I’m not saying it will stay the same,I’m working every day to make improvements and I might feel completely differently in a years’ time. But this is where I’m at now and I’m going to embrace it as I move forward on my journey.
Here’s what I see:
- Botanical focus
- Stylised
- Bold line work
- Solid colours
- Everyday subject matter
I’m not unhappy with that. I still feel there’s room for improvement, but those 9 images show a true representation of my art and that will inform what I draw from now on, in my efforts to make my first sale.
Interested in learning more? This analysis task was from Starting with Find Your Style: and Actionable Guide to Develop Your Illustration Style by Brooke Glaser on Skillshare. Not affiliated.