| ********************************************************** YouCanDraw.com Insider's E-magazine *********************************************************** Issue #4, 20 November 1998 The Private Emagazine/Email Discussion List For YouCanDraw.com Insider Members Only. Dedicated to You, the up and coming Caricature Artist. http://199.231.135.182/InsidersArtistLoft2/archives In today's issue: 1) the Artist's "Contract" 2) Progress Note ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) Someone once said to me in a frustrated tone "Jeff, you got some special gift for drawing. I just don't have it". All of you who draw have heard this before. Of course we'd all like to think we do - but there's alot more going on than just a "gift". In fact, excepting true prodigy cases, I don't buy into the "gift" theory at all. Yes there are those who just seem to come into the world drawing or singing or crunching numbers 18 times better than everyone else. But I believe if you were born with a strong desire to do something, or learn something, that's a huge clue you got talent - potential talent just dying to pop on out. I believe people do come into the world with an in-born "mission". Most people just don't get a chance to realize it - they don't get the support, they don't get the reinforcement or the recognition they so badly needed when they started out...they had families too early...lot's of reasons. I asked this guy why he's so sure he's got no talent. He put a paper in front of me with a very recognizable drawing of President Nixon. I said "what's wrong with that! That's excellent! How long have you been drawing? His reply: "2 days." I said "that's amazing" - and I meant it. Then he pulls out a photograph of Nixon and he says "But it's not exact." I said "how many try's did this take? "Two" was his answer. "And you've been drawing how long? Two days?" All I could say was "man, you got talent. You HAVE talent." He just shook his head and walked away like I was trying to sugarcoat something. I don't think this person ever drew again. Perfectionism is a true bane folks. I'm not a psychologist, but I do know about perfectionism - I'm catholic! <BG>. It (perfectionism) is a poison. The fastest way to kill any new project or picture is to expect it to turn out perfect every time. Ask any practicing caricaturist and I'll bet they say something like "no picture I ever draw EVER turns out the exactly the way I want it too." No picture I've ever drawn has turned out the way I pictured it when I first sat down to draw it. It might have got close, but it wasn't "exact". But they were/are still fairly recognizable (I hope) and people still pay money for them. So what's my point? Here's my point. If you have a desire to do something, if you see someone else do something and you feel even a small rush of "I want to do that and I bet I can do that" - somewhere in your head or in your body - you need to go after it! And I have no doubt that's why you signed up here. You felt a true desire. I find it fascinating that the Latin roots of "desire" are "de" and "Sire". "De" meaning "from" - as in given or taken from. "Sire" meaning "Father". In it's context, it means "from the father". "Father" in Latin culture 2000 years ago meant the same as saying "King", even God. Desire there meant "god-given". So you know you have a gift - maybe not developed yet - when you feel a "desire". And I'm not talking about the desire you feel for a Taco Bell Burrito, (though that sounds kinda good right now) or the passing kinds of "desire" you feel in the Galleria. That's passing desirousness. It fades. I'm talking about the kind that sticks - keeps popping back up. That's the sign of a gift. So the challenge is to do something with that desire. Art is discipline - any art - to get good you got to practice and practice. Practice is repetitious and often very boring. But "gold" moments come. You just got to be ready. Practice gets you there - you get started and the "talent" will meet you half way. So to help get you started - those of you having trouble getting motivated (which is most of us), I've adapted this "Artist's contract" from Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way". (It's a great book on getting going.) So here it is: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Artist's Contract I ____________________________,(your name) understand that in learning to do caricatures I am undertaking an intensive guided encounter with my own creativity. I commit myself to weekly reading, __________(3,4,5...) weekly drawing sessions of ____________ minutes (15, 30, 45...). I commit myself to completing one section of a lesson every ______ (3 days, week, 10 days) and to the fulfillment of each weeks tasks. I _____________________________, (your name) further understand that there will be days when I think nothing I draw looks right and that my future as a caricaturist will be limited. On those days I promise myself I'll accept those uncomfortable feelings and I'll keep on drawing. (Possibly after an hour break, a day break, some exercise, after doing something completely different - or even after a good temper tantrum - but I promise myself I'll get back to it!) Lastly, If I really get stuck, I'll buy Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" or something like it where I can remind myself that learning to draw caricatures or any art for that matter, is a passage (at times a painful one) to an expanded and enriched life. I'll remind myself I deserve praise and congratulations - not criticism - for trying. _________________________________Signature _________________________________Date -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm not getting paid for plugging this book - it's just an excellent book I think anybody jumping into the arts or even into their own business will greatly benefit from. See <http://www.YouCanDraw.com/TheBookstore.html#anchor477713> Print out the contract and put it somewhere you'll see it. 2) Progress notes: The Nose: Vase/Face section is being uploaded today. I'm starting on "Eyes" today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome aboard all new subscribers! I'd like to take a second to thank all of you for your interest in YouCanDraw.com - Thank you! It's very encouraging to me to see there's such an interest out there in drawing caricatures. I'm looking forward to a long lasting partnership with all of you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Send me your comments, questions or suggestuions: all welcome. Until next week, keep drawing! Jeff K. |