The Drawing Club

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14 The Drawing Club

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Experienced artists, working way

outside of their comfort zone did some

of the drawings in this book, while

novice artists, who in a very pure and

beautiful way, spoke with their gut

and nailed it.

Does skill lead to originality?

A very skilled artist can also be original. Throughout history,

artists such as Rembrandt and Vermeer have arrived at origi-

nality through their mastery of technique. Of course, if you tried

to copy a painting by one of those masters, it would strictly be

a skill exercise—a study to learn from and influence your own

original artwork.

Originality doesn’t require a show of technical expertise,

though. Some of the best drawings happen when you just play

around. Experienced artists, working way outside of their com-

fort zone did some of the drawings in this book, while novice

artists, who in a very pure and beautiful way, spoke with their

gut and nailed it.

More than once, seasoned artists have shown up at The Draw-

ing Club only to realize that they forgot their materials at home.

Having sympathy for them, I usually scrounge up something

for them to draw with, but it isn’t anything they were planning

on using or are even familiar with. But if they keep a positive

attitude and just roll with it, often their drawings turn out fresh

and original, even though the skill part was crude because of

their unfamiliarity with the media.

Red Sonja, ink and wash on paper, Ronald Llanos

Or I’ve watched someone draw for the first time since they

were a kid. The pure joy of creating something overcomes fear,

and the most wonderful drawings just flow out. Skill has nothing

to do with it.

Don’t get too caught up in the importance of technique. You

don’t have to impress everyone with your skills to make a good

drawing.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a college drawing instructor. I teach

and talk about skills every day. I just happen to know that good

drawings can happen in a variety of ways.

The Gravedigger, ink on paper,

Linda Bull

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15

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Chapter 1: What Is a Good Drawing?

their unfamiliarity with the media.

Or I’ve watched someone draw for the first time since they

were a kid. The pure joy of creating something overcomes fear,

and the most wonderful drawings just flow out. Skill has nothing

to do with it.

Don’t get too caught up in the importance of technique. You

don’t have to impress everyone with your skills to make a good

drawing.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a college drawing instructor. I teach

and talk about skills every day. I just happen to know that good

drawings can happen in a variety of ways.

Moonbeam McSwine,

The GravediggerLinda Bull , ink on paper, ink and watercolor on paper, Daniel Rios

The Paratrooper, ink and watercolor on paper, Erik Petri

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