Creating From Imagination - A Reminder!

Haven't you stared at a blank canvas with the intention of drawing or painting a subject, yet found this task impossible? You know that you want to paint a city, a knight, or simply an apple, yet there is no way to even start.

This is what many artists, especially beginner artists, struggle with. The problem is not just your execution skills; it’s the information stored in your brain, your memory. Every once in a while, I talk about this issue, but it seems to be more present than ever. For some of you, this is obvious, but for those who do not realize it, here's a reminder: you can do it, you just need a better strategy.

Thinking hard or making a bunch of sketches, waiting for one to nail reality, is not the most efficient way to win this battle. A few days ago, a patron, frustrated because they could not recreate complex subjects like cities or environments even though they understood perspective, asked me for help. The truth is, many of the amazing artists out there who deliver high-quality pieces capturing complex environment designs spend years taking pictures and drawing references. This, in a way, helps them understand their topics of interest on a deeper level, allowing them to draw them in a more straightforward way and many times rely on imagination.

It’s the same with me, perhaps not with sophisticated environments but with characters and expressions. My approach focuses on translating reality into simple geometric shapes. These shapes or silhouettes should define the contour of the objects in my composition. That's it; it’s simple, yet not easy. For others to do this, they cannot just skip to the geometric shape step. First, they must try to represent the complex subjects of reality, awkwardly and insufficiently at first. Slowly, through repetition, they can interpret those shapes that will later be translated into simple strokes. In other words, memorizing and simplifying the subject until it gets stored in memory, to be used later as an "imagination source."

I don't want to extend too much on this subject since the quick answer is simply patience and practice, but feel free to check some tips I’ve already shared in the past:

This Is Why You Struggle When 'Drawing From Imagination' - My Solution!

Finally, don't get demoralized because you are not able to land that perfect drawing. I still struggle with this; that’s why I still use references. See drawing from imagination as one step of the process, not as a whole. Put some imaginative effort behind those ideas and concepts, which will speak louder than the technique.

Thank you for your support.