some thoughts about PRACTICE and art studies

Practice!

Been doing the Patreon rewards tier for almost two years now, and Ive learnt many things, mostly art experimentation and endurance. All product of practice.

Want to be a better artist? Then Practice! that’s what everybody say, yet we usually fail at achieving some good practice.

We as artists usually fall into the idea of “drawing just enough” , which means, that we end up just NOT DOING ENOUGH work or practice. 

Its a weird idea, and a complex one, since it implies doing more work, just MORE WORK.

how much? just more than what you already do. 

I found out the hard way, or the good way I’d say. 

My Patreon rewards sponsor tier consists on doing each person an experimental drawing, each month. In average I  do 25 drawings like these a month. That is, way more drawings that I’ve though I could do AS PRACTICE ONLY! Then add personal stuff, commissions, etc, etc, etc. 

I found out that by doing so many drawings, and sticking at it, you do improve! 

Why? 

Well at first I thought it was going to be easy, but it wasnt. 

Yet I kept at it. I convinced myself that I could handle the task, that I would find and use any way possible to complete the task. Each month.

I couldnt fail, I have all these supporting people eagerly waiting for my art and work to appear each month, that I couldn’t afford the cost of simply tossing the towel. so I kept at it.

The first months was crazy difficult! Like finishing a marathon and two days later begin another one! 

After several months, I began finding myself not just applying the topics Ive been using for the rewards, but really looking at my work in a different, more open and creative way. 

I also found out that i am capable of focusing and doing a lot of drawings that are part of my artistic training, and not just for fun or for commissions. Thats also very important : these tier has been a very good, and almost fundamental part of my artistic improvement and doing, and along the way, it has also added to my artistic career. 

In the end, after taking it more seriously, after handling the stress, the difficulties, and taking it as part of my art career, furry art is becoming more professional, and by doing it daily, it becomes clear that taking the difficult path is the right way.

To all of you that have been a sponsor patron, thank you so much! Be sure you’ve been a VERY important part in my artistic career and my personal life, helping me to find out that there is value in pursuing one’s passions, and rewards when the efforts are put to a good use. 

-ose