Girl sketches and a few thoughts

I mentioned this in a few previous posts, but I'll say it here again...I'm participating in another bloge called 100 girls in 100 days.
You can go check it out here

or just follow this link
http://1000girlsin100days.blogspot.com/


All in all there are 125.5 girls drawn here
One of the girls in the last image is cut halfway up, so she's a halfsy, and I'm not counting the baby...who just happens to be a girl of course!

I know I don't typically show that many sketches, or such "raw" sketches here, but I wanted to post these so that everybody could see them. Especially students.
I get a lot of emails from art students asking me how I got my style, how I do the work I do, a lot of them ask me what software I use, as if that is the key to doing fun and nice illustrations or animations.
I also see a lot of portfolios of younger artists either still in school or just graduating who are wizards at using Photoshop, Maya , illustrator, flash and whatever software is out there these days, but , very few of them actually DRAW a lot in their sketchbooks. And if they do, they tend NOT to show their sketches.

The reason I'm talking about all this right now is because if you do want to get better, if you really want to find your own style, and start having fun with your art, it is all about actually DRAWING! And drawing in your sketchbook, everyday, is really the first step you need to do.
The second one is SHOW YOUR SKETCHES!!!
I know it's scary to show your personal work because, in a way, you feel like you are exposing yourself to people, and the fear of judgment is a terrible feeling. But you'll be surprised to find out that people will react favorably , and will give you feedback that you NEED to grow as a artist.

Additionally , the more you draw and the more you share your work, the more you will inspire your peers and people around you, and the more motivated you'll get.

Lastly....art and talent is not a gift from god. I don't subscribe at all at all to this point of view.
The art of drawing is purely mechanical. The more you practice, the better you get. There's no secret involved, no formulas, no crutch. The more you draw the better you get.

As far as ART and what you are saying with your art is concerned, it's a totally different matter.
It's a lot like writing in my opinion. Everybody can learn how to write, but a precious few can become Mark Twain's or Ernest Hemingway. That takes something else. A vision, a point of view, an outlook on life that is personal, the dedication to bring it out of you.
And of course, a lot of focused work to get it out of you.

THIS is where your style develops as well. It's not in the act of drawing, is HOW you use that skill. What you are going to say with it and the way you are saying it... that's what your style is.
In short..

If you want to become an artist...DRAW! Don't look for formulas and shortcuts.
And enjoy your life, have tons of experiences, and draw from them to create your own art.


Have a GREAT day!
Cheers