Don't blame the pencil

✏️ What box of unloved art supplies can teach you

Drawn in BlueShineArt’s lovely Patreon session.

You know that thrill of getting fancy new art supplies?

I had that feeling when my first box of beautiful Blackwing pencils arrived. All my favorite artists used them. I KNEW they'd make me better at drawing.

My joy faded the instant I put them to paper. I HATED every single drawing I made with them!

Here's what those pencils taught me:

• I was SUPPOSED to hate those drawings. They were part of the journey.

• I needed to practice foundational skills.

• My brain gets lost in the details when I draw in line.

• Just because someone I love enjoys a tool doesn’t mean I will.

There are plenty of other techniques, tricks and tools that could create a more joyful drawing experience.

There's a reason grownups want us to try a variety of foods when we're toddlers. They love us and want us to be happy, well-rounded eaters. Well, I love you and want you to be a happy, well-rounded artist!

I demonstrate how I draw using shapes in the video below. Then I manage to draw in actual lines. There is hope!

Maybe I’ll dust off that box of Blackwing Pencils in an upcoming drawing session!

Drawing Prompt:

1. Draw a thing by blocking in the color of the shape

2. Draw the same thing again using lines only

3. Draw the thing again using negative space (I love negative space so much, I made a whole video about it for paid members! And hosted an entire drawing session where we focus on negative space first!)