For Confidence

[insanewitapen]

In a nutshell, I haven't drawn for myself out of classes for more than a month, and it's Christmas break.

I've had tons of the usual stress from school, pressure of making my portfolio, and the constant reminder of my future and how much more I need to learn from my art classes in the morning at CCAD (art college).
I feel like I'm being consumed by this, the pressure and stress has prevented me from drawing. But that's not the only thing, the stressful emotional state I've gotten into has taken away my will to sit down with a pencil and paper.

I'm even scared to touch my sketch book in fear of getting depressed if the first thing I draw is way below my skill level. It's stupid to let a sketch or a drawing to affect you that much emotionally, especially since I haven't drawn in a month. Though I've come a long way in that area and have matured, it still affects me to an extent.

So my prayer request is for some much needed God given confidence and reassurance...and motivation. Thank you for reading through this. ^_~

[HiddenWoodchuck]

I will pray for you I'm not very good at drawing, but I do photography on the side, and the pressure with that is pretty intense for me sometimes. That stress is no good, it can be very hard, so I know a little bit about it. I won't claim to know how it feels though, with everyone feeling it different sometimes. I know it is no walk in the park though! God Bless and I pray for you to get that confidence, reassurance and motivation that you would like to have

[Denimcat]

I'll be praying for you. And by CCAD, do you by any chance mean Columbus College of Art and Design? \o.o/ (just curious, since I live like 25 minutes from there)

[insanewitapen]

Thank you so much for the prayer and reassurance guys. ^_^
And yes Denimcat, it's Columbus College of Art and Design. *cheers for ohio*

[Anna Mae]

My advice is to just break the ice off of the sketch book and plow ahead. It may not be your best at first, but my experience has been that just going for it before you acquire too much inertia will help shake depression.

I'll be praying.

[SP1]

Drawing below your skill level? I don't think that applies to a sketchbook. Shoot, DaVinci had sketches that weren't so hot too, remember. Perhaps think less of a sketchbook as a "practice" book, where things are graded or something, and more like a book to practice flowing ideas out of your head. A place to keep remnants for future use.

Praying.

[insanewitapen]

My advice is to just break the ice off of the sketch book and plow ahead. It may not be your best at first, but my experience has been that just going for it before you acquire too much inertia will help shake depression.

I'll be praying.

Yes, that's what happened before with last long leg of drawing. XD I just need to do it once I think of something to draw and not worry about it...which is the hard part. :] Thank you~

Drawing below your skill level? I don't think that applies to a sketchbook. Shoot, DaVinci had sketches that weren't so hot too, remember. Perhaps think less of a sketchbook as a "practice" book, where things are graded or something, and more like a book to practice flowing ideas out of your head. A place to keep remnants for future use.

Praying.

Wow, I have never looked at it in that mindset before. But that's really what a sketchbook is isn't it, a practice book? ^^ And practices aren't always perfect. ;] Thank you very much SP1, that really makes me feel better.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

I know EXACTLY what it feels like to be stressed/depressed into a creative drought. It's happened to me MANY times. Sort of like Anna Mae and SP1 said, what helps me get back in the groove is to just force myself to start drawing the first thing that comes into my head. No thinking about how good it is, no worrying about the bigger stuff on my plate, just plain and simple drawing. It can take a while sometimes, but it really helps get my juices flowing again.

And prayer. Prayer is great too, so I'll be praying

[insanewitapen]

*nods* Thank you blitz. *happy to not be the only one* u.u

[Danderson]

You have my prayers....

[insanewitapen]

Thank you so much guys! I have officially drawn something! And of course it felt so very good. Thank you for the prayers. ^_^

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/Insanepencil/Mermaidj.jpg And I'd say its coming out pretty well. X3

[SnEptUne]

Nice ^_^

I used to draw a lot too. If only I could get enrolled into an art school like you do, I could have more opportunity to learn.

[insanewitapen]

Well I'm not enrolled in an art school, I'm just taking classes that the CCAD provides for high school students. Plus my usual high school art class. :3 Maybe look around for places providing art classes around you?

[SnEptUne]

Well I'm not enrolled in an art school, I'm just taking classes that the CCAD provides for high school students. Plus my usual high school art class. :3 Maybe look around for places providing art classes around you?

Art classes are not cheap around here and university isn't easy, so I probably wouldn't have time even if I can afford it. Maybe when I graduated, got a job, and earn enough money to pay off my loan, I could start taking art classes... but by then, I will be in my middle-age. The best I can do is to drawn on my computer in my spare time.

[insanewitapen]

Ahh gotcha, money was an issue for me too for a while for the art classes. But God opened doors. ^^