I've been doing life drawing since April 2010, and only started learning how to sketch a few months before that (see my drawing blog). Last week, I'd used up my A3 sketchpad that I use for my life drawing sessions, and this afternoon I popped into Cowling and Wilcox to get more paper. Inside, I was agonizing which to buy - a £10 pad, or the £6 pad.
I then realized, that I actually took more than a year to finish up a pad, so just bought the £10 pad (It was a heavier grade of paper, plus very nice covers). In essence, this is a very enjoyable, yet affordable hobby.
Basically, I spend £30 quid for 6 drawing sessions - this lasts me a month and a half - or £5 per session. Add on a bit for transport. Pencil lead is not exactly cheap, as I use lead holders - however out of my entire box, I've only used.... 2 pieces so far.
That's for cost of attending life session, on a day to day basis I spend from 15 minutes, to sometimes hours if I visit a museum or zoo over the weekend.
Sketching for me serves many purposes, but my key reason to actually learn how to sketch was to conquer my fear of drawing.
Or rather, how much I hated sketching in general.
Rewind to a much younger age, I was never strong in the arts - usually the lowest grade in the class. Does not help self esteem there, I assure you.
Even during my uni days, I've tried learning on my own, and attending life drawing sessions, but seriously, telling a complete beginner to draw a crunched up ball of paper without instructions... doesn't really help. needless to say that did not last long.
Fast forward to London, I decided that I would learn again, and see where it takes me. This was also a time of personal pain for me, and I really needed things to distract myself. It worked out far better than I thought.
First, I think the main thing I learnt, is how impossible it is to achieve perfection. I am only human. Attempting to reach perfection is one thing, but stressing out because something is not perfect is not the way to go. I think I have been stressing out on that at work, at photography, at lots in my life.
Just learning on my own, day to day, taught me about how to get better - simply by practice. I used to believe that I would never ever draw. I now believe I can achieve whatever I care to set my heart upon.
Other beneficial side effects (pun intended) include meeting new people. Drawing at museums often see the stranger wander up to exchange a few words, and almost always, they are friendly and positive. I remember I had an Italian sculptor wander up to me once. He was on hols, and told me to visit Genoa, as there were a multitude of amazing sculptures there. I still need to take him up on it.
Weekly drawing sessions also helped me conquer my fear of speaking with people. Maybe it does not show, since I have little fear of teaching classes or giving talks - but one on one with someone? Engage the escape hatch please. Over this time here, I've come to appreciate how the people in my life drawing sessions are still friendly, even though I am a living icon on taciturn-iness (hey I invented a word!)
Of course, I have a long way to go, being introverted and focusing on myself and a narrow range of subjects do not help.
Going slightly off topic, once again playing the saxophone was yet another distraction - again, personal issues - and once again, it is a blessing in disguise. Not only have I found a music instrument I really like (flute, piano, NAF, keyboard etc did not last too long over the years), a fair few amount of people I've met here in the UK play musical instruments, and it makes for an easier time to connect. Down the road, I too hope to be able to join in local bands or just get good enough to jam at.
I think this is due to drawing, it showed myself that I can improve, abeit slowly. And these two seem to form some sort of positive reaction loop, confidence or improvements in one area gets me going in another.
Should I even be putting this down?
Hell yeah, one thing I learnt from all of the above. Live. Live now. Carpe Diem.
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