Don't laugh. Art critique wanted

I have never taken lessons but I like to draw. I haven't drawn anything in at least 4 years and decided to do something tonight. This took about 1/2 hour. I know that there are many great artists here so I thought I would ask them what they think.

Trust me, I know it isn't something I could sell, but as I said, I just like to draw. When I was young I was looked at as a potential "artist" but I decided to quite rather than let people judge me..LOL.

So? Could the artists out there tell me if I should give it up or what? It's cool to trash me, I have been done that way before..lol.

A masterpiece for me is managing to make a relatively unwobbly circle! Nice job! If you wanted some constructive criticism, I'd say that the mouth just looks a little...odd. However, I have no idea why that is, so it's not really helpful to you.

But again, very good! Now let's see if we can get someone who actually knows about art to comment for you, instead of this rambler!

:hi:

I did it a few times and maybe I need to work on mouths a bit more. I tried it a few times, but as I said...it took about 1/2 hour and one reason I am a bad artist is because I don't have the patience to get it right..lol.

Keep it up and you'll get better. It's like a muscle. It needs to be used. And the more you use it, the better it becomes.

Is a brain a muscle?..LOL
Kidding. Thanks.

you just need some art instruction and you could really realize some potential! great work!

I have seen your work and it is cool to get a good response from you. One of the best at DU.

art is like learning a musical instrument...practice practice practice...and good instruction from a master can open your eyes to techniques that can make your art come "alive"...you have natural talent and a good eye...you just need some direction...

So I'm not qualified to critique it.

Redstone

I used to do photography too, but once again, I hated to be competitive. It's been a long while since I have been in a dark room. That was a blast though.

I work for my customers as required, and shoot speculatively for whoever wants to buy. Only ever entered a competition once, and that was enough. I don't aim to please judges, only the people who are paying for my work.

Keep at the drawing, since it sounds like you enjoy it.

Redstone

And draw whenever you can. Practice and enjoy. Keep training your eye to see.

And if you like, find a drawing class in your area. I go to oil painting classes every Saturday, which the instructor does concurrently with his drawing students. I still love soaking up this guy's instruction on drawing, rule of thumb, perspective, light, color, and composition.

Charge on, man. Drawing is a great way to spend time, and I think you have a good eye.

I have thought about going to classes. One thing about being in your 40s is, you can do anything you want anytime. I also have a piano that I play as well as I draw..LOL. I thought about going to piano lessons too.

eye can bring us to create. This portrait shows that the love of the process of making art is still in you.

Patience is skill and yes, and why not join others in an art class...what you know could help others and visa versa.

Looking forward to seeing more of your art.


Tikki

Funny that you say what you say.

I am a songwriter and have been writing for years. The last few years I have lost a lot of the passion that I once had. I find that the writing is no different than the drawing and when I get it going, it goes all over.

Lately I have been writing tunes again and to sit down and do a drawing flipped me out. It goes hand in hand.
Thanks. :hi:

Music, art, writing...all are different ways of expressing the soul. When you come down to it, they are the same stream of soul-energy, just taking different forms.

When it goes away it is really scary. If you spend most of your life creating and it drys up, it is like going to hell. It's like waking up one day and having no arms and legs.

But as a writer and someone who just wants to play music--piano (:bounce:), clarinet, sax; with ambitions to get into guitar, harp, and violin/viola--I think I'd be a frightening person without my creativity. :evilgrin:

You definitely have the ability. But scout is right - the key is practice. Like any skill. You shouldn't have quit for so long.

I wish I had any artistic talent - because I love to draw, paint, sculpt. I'm just bad at it.


Khash.

Anyone and everyone can do it. Most of what I do is never seen by anyone, but I just do it for my own enjoyment. I put this up just to get a bit of feedback.

If you want to paint, sculpt, draw or anything..just do it for your own good. Hey....sculpting sounds good. I might go get some clay next week..LOL

It's a classic for artists. I've seen firsthand how it can improve an artist's work tremendously. It includes some "first portrait" drawings, and the difference in the artwork at the beginning of the course and at the end of the course is remarkable. The entire course, by the way, is the book itself.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0874774195.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874774195/104-6009467-8723151?v=glance&n=283155

I'll look into it.

A lot of them have used that book. ;)

oh wait. it's upside down . . .

just kidding. :-) :-)
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keep drawing! Do you derive joy from it? If so, keep doing it. You have good basic talent. Develop it.


BTW, NEVER tell me not to laugh. It pretty much guarantees I will laugh.

It's squash, well...upside down squash. Good eye you have. x(


Seriously, thanks. The more I look at it the more I wish I would have waited to draw something better to put here. Oh well.

Never wait. Do what you feel. Draw what you see. LOVE what you do and be joyful about it.

It rocks. You rock!

Sorry about the cantaloupe comment. I'm just a smartass.

but otherwise it's pretty good.

I looked it up and nothing comes up.

is all very true with the practice, the book recommended. Something that really helped me is to hold your work in progress up to a mirror periodically.

If you like to draw-keep doing it! Your facial proportions are pretty good.
Was this done from life? If not, do some from life-self portraits are always available. :D
This is what I tell my students:
Pay close attention to the value scale.
If you can define your darkest areas amongst the midtones, you've defined your subject- -then the lightest areas will "pop".
Look at the surface planes of your subject rather than drawing lines around them (containing them).
If something isn't working right for you-don't be afraid to throw it out and start over.
Don't be afraid-keep on drawing! Look at other's work, too.

You've off to a good start-good luck! And keep us posted......did you post this in the artist's forum also?