Failed Experiments and Embracing the Unsightly

A drawing activity to help you draw fearlessly.

Ugly drawings are a thing of beauty. Bad drawings show you what you don’t like, so you can create work that feels right. The work that feels right is what you want to share publicly. That’s the stuff you want to get hired to make!

This isn’t even my ugliest one.

My sketchbooks are full of failed experiments. Those pages remind me to approach drawing playfully, instead of worrying what others will think of my art. This helps take the pressure off when working on commissions and professional projects.

Ugly drawings are wonderful because they:

• cultivate a habit of drawing without pressure

• allow you to move forward with experimentation

• teach you what you do NOT like

• are a backup plan in case things go sideways with your second version

Activity:

1. Set a timer for 5 minutes

2. Draw the ice cream kid in the reference photo below

3. Draw the ice cream kid in the reference photo below again.

Why twice? Your first drawing can serve as a backup, so you can make fearless marks with drawing #2!

I’d love to see your version if you’d like to share. This is a public domain image, so no photo credit is necessary.

Which drawing did you prefer? Sometimes I like my first attempt. Not the case with these versions of Mwelu:

I drew the first version from real life, then redrew it from memory. Not sure I like either to be honest! 😆

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Tomorrow!

I'm going to use this approach in tomorrow's Ice Cream Social session. I've got three 15-minute intervals queued up after our warm up. There’s still time to sign up!

I'll start a new drawing of the same image at the halfway mark using a different technique, and then compare them at the end. You're welcome to try this approach, or spend the full 15 on each image if you're feeling it! Sharing is always optional, and there's no requirement to have your camera or mic on.

Coming Soon

Photography for Illustrators - I’ll create a demo video and feedback thread. Paid members can upload an image and I’ll give advice.

Feedback to final art - How I apply agent feedback to take illustrations from rough sketches to final art. This is for a set of illustrated greeting cards featuring dogs!

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Do you make an "ugly" drawing before making an illustration that goes public? Let me know in the comments!