The one thing I have had to put years of effort into learning is drawing. JD Applen poses the questions, “What was the difference in the learning process between [some of the things you have learned by imitating others and other things you have learned by reading about them]? What kinds of things are best learned by reading versus emulating the actions of others?” (3-4).
Even now, I am still learning. I consider myself an artist, but only because I have been teaching myself seriously for six years. I first learned by imitating what I saw. My father is a damn good artist. When I was a child, I would trace his linework because I thought it would make me good too. It didn’t, but this amateur way of drawing introduced foundational skills for me. How to apply the right pressure, how to draw a face, the shape of basic forms, etc.
Drawing is something you cannot just simply read about and be good at it. There are books on how to draw, yes, but you must take that information and literally put pen to paper to learn something from them. The learning process of drawing requires both imitation and reading up on. The former is learning how to work a pen, and the latter is learning the technique to better move that pen. The key difference is the theory and applicability.
In the world of art, you can very well read about what pencils and pens are best quality, which sketchbooks has the best textures for what you want, which software is the easiest to break into regarding digital art. But you can’t find your own voice in your own art unless you draw inspiration from others. You might like how somebody colors their characters, or dislike how stylized a certain picture is. Through emulation, you pick and choose what works for you and you come out with something entirely your own eventually.
Leave a Reply