210. Drawing with other People

or, how I finally learned to draw.

Dear reader,

Most of the time, I prefer to sketch alone. But every couple of weeks, I join our local Urban Sketchers group for a meetup. In today’s post, scenes from drawing with other people and the story of how I learned to draw.

The SneakyArt Post is a publication of secretly drawn art of the world. Every week, I share the latest drawings from my sketchbook and the best ideas from my journey as an artist and writer.

If you like having SneakyArt in your inbox, help me reach more people?

A new member had many questions at our latest meetup!

A drink-n-draw this week.

🎙 I knew that I wanted to learn to draw, but …

In the latest episode of the SneakyArt Podcast, Jason Chatfield spoke about how to make your way as an artist (or any kind of creative professional). We shared our professional journeys and the best ideas, inspirations, tips, and tricks, we have picked up along the way.

At one point I spoke about how, as a “self-taught” artist, I tried everything to learn to draw, but nothing worked for me until one day -

Dear reader, I never thought community would be the answer to such big questions of my life. But without a drawing community, I could never have become an artist. (I spoke about this in more detail on the Science Friction podcast.)

To build a habit, maintain a hobby, improve a skill, or discover a new passion, I suggest finding a community.

Drawing with a community accelerated my growth as an artist -

🔐 I found solutions to technical problems by observing other artists’ techniques

✍🏼 I discovered and tried art supplies that I would otherwise have hesitated to use

🤝 I got the confidence to sketch in public

🙃 I made friends as an immigrant in a new world.

thesneakyartist

A post shared by @thesneakyartist

Prizes for the latest tiny story contest are now in the mail. Books, zines, originals, and prints, are on their way to the United States, France, Spain, and Taiwan!

Autumn, in the park across the street.

This year, the support of SneakyArt Insiders is helping me -

💌 Give away original drawings and prints,

🎙 Produce the SneakyArt Podcast, and

✍🏼 Pursue my curiosity to find art everywhere I go.

Insiders also receive the Sunday edition of this publication, where I share the ups and downs of my independent creative journey, such as:

🤳🏼 efforts to escape the panopticon of social media,

🎱 ambitious plans for a year without goal-setting,

🖼️ thoughts about the role of art in the age of virtual reproduction, and

❤️‍🩹 frustrations upon realizing I am not at the centre of the universe (and neither are you).

Become a SneakyArt Insider and get the link to this month’s Insider Hangout in your welcome email. In this hangout, I will share my autumn sketchbook and ideas about how to work with a limited colour palette.

Thank you for your time and attention. I am glad to have a space in your inbox.