Things I've learned in the past 8 years of drawing! Part 2

6. Practice! Practice! Practice!
Keep a sketchbook and draw everyday!!! Invest in a hardbound sketchbook
that you can carry everywhere. Observe people places and things and record them
in your sketchbook. The repetition of drawing everyday builds eye hand
coordination and muscle memory. A sketchbook allows you to instantly track
your progress!

7. Gridding Vs. Freehand
Many purists will tell you that gridding or transferring are cheating, but,
in my opinion, these are just tools of the trade. Just like any other tool they have
their place. I would use them only as needed. I personally work freehand. I enjoy
the challenge and I feel that I needed to strengthen my abillity to see and trans-
late what I see to paper. You must decide what works best for you!

8. References
If you are working from a photo reference, preferably your own, always use
the best . Good lighting and contrast as well as a wide range of values are a must.
If you can't see the details don't use the photo!!!

9. Slow Down!!!
Take your time! Rome wasn't built in a day! Our brains have the
wonderful abillity to catalog everything around us. We see a trunk, some
branches and leaves and we know it is a tree, however, in order to draw
realistically we must slow down and really "see" the details.

10. If at first you don't succeed...try...try again!!!
I can't say this enough (see number 6)... Practice! Practice! and when you're
sick of practicing, take a break and draw some more! Master Graphite Artist,
Linda Huber, calls this the 3 P's...Patience, Practice and Percerverience!
If you practice the 3 P's you will surpass even your own expecations.

These are only the tip of the iceburgh and there is so much more to learn.
Remember you are the best teacher you will ever have. Anyone can tell you how
to draw, but only by doing will you learn. I hope these tips will help you as you
continue on your artistic adventure. Check back with me as I will be expanding
on each of these topics as well as a few more I haven't mentioned in the weeks
to come.

Keep your eyes open and your pencils sharp!

Laura Thrasher
Graphite Artist