Playing the Long Game
on devotion to my craft, learning to love the process, and courage
Oh wow it’s been more than a month since I sat down and wrote a letter. How are you, dear friend? I hope you’ve been well and that July is treating you well. Apologies for being gone for a while, I’ve been tending to my health but now I’m all better and ready to catch up with you.
I did a lot of reflecting on how I want to navigate my career as an artist then realized I may be getting ahead of myself, because right now I’m still at the early stages, I’m still learning and I don’t want to overwhelm myself by coming up with all these big and grand plans. Let me take things one step at a time.
I’m really passionate about leaning my craft and that’s what I want to share with my audience for now, I want to show the hard work behind an artist’s work especially as a beginner. From the seemingly boring geometric drawing to a flushed out still life. I want to share how I navigated my self-learning and resources because I know how easy it is to get lost with the plethora of information online.
Back To The Fundamentals
I love painting but every time my painting seems off it’s almost always a drawing problem. I already finished my drawing fundamentals class but I think I need to brush up my skills again I noticed I’m being sloppy with my line work and measuring, don’t even get me started with my value grouping.
To be able to assess my work and being honest with myself will help me understand what I need to work on. Sometimes I wonder if I’m wasting my time doing all these really strategic things and killing off my creativity that’s why I need to find a balance. I can have my strategic learning schedule but also carve out some time for me to explore and have fun!
In a week I make sure I have my Wednesday’s off to make art for myself or even just play with my ideas no need for finished work, as long as I make something even if it’s not the best is already a step forward.
I have a big still life assignment being back logged for a while because I want to take a few drawing fundamentals lectures before I get back to it, it’s a way for me to slow down and also warm myself up. I’m also taking a still life painting class in watercolor and gouache with Miles Yoshida and boy oh boy am I struggling with my base sketch. I really need to work on my drafting skills!
An Artist’s Growing Pains
Improvement is not linear and I feel as if I’m at a weird stage where I know enough to not be considered a beginner but I still lack skill to really flush out my ideas. I’m afraid of making mistakes because that would mean I’m still lacking and negative thoughts just snowball from that.
I’m trying my best to shift into a growth mindset. I’m lacking skill? Good. That means I have room to improve and grow. Of course it’s not going to be an easy task but if I truly love my craft, which I do, devoting myself to my art even if it takes years should not be a problem. Which reminds me of Van Gogh’s story.
Through out his life he never was a successful artist, but he kept going, kept creating, he tapped into something inside of him. Years and years of painting, and if I’m right he only ever sold one painting. But the lack of recognition never stopped him. And if there’s something to pick up from the story it’s his utter devotion that really knocked on my heart.
I’m a mere artist in my studio niche doing my best to teach myself art because of my absolute love for the process and I want to share my journey and growth with people who’d love to hear my story.
Things I’ve Been Loving Lately:
The Long Game video essay series by Adam Westbrook.
Let’s build videos in The Sims 4 because I got really into playing the game when I was taking a break
My new artbook by Nanaco Yashiro.
Love always,
Yumi