Thought for the week: You don't have to be good at sketching to enjoy it.
I've been part of Urban Sketchers for over ten years now. When I started, I was desperate to be good at it and have that goodness be validated by others. Amazingly, there have been times where my sketches got a lot of attention and positive feedback.
There have also been times where no one seemed to notice, care, or like them at all. And when I look at sketches that got attention and those that didn't, there is no common thread I can see. It certainly doesn't line up with my assessment.
I see many beginners on here expressing that same wish to be good at the making, and have their work appreciated. There is nothing wrong with that.
Just know that recognition is a crap shoot. There are just too many variables. And not for nothing, none of this is Important.
What has stayed consistent is that I can like and enjoy sketches no matter what anyone else thinks.
Even more than that, I can enjoy the making of art, the process, and the feeling during, no matter what else is going on. I can enjoy learning from failures. I can enjoy the growth that brings.
I have never stood up from a drawing session and not felt pretty great in my body from having done it. I hope all of you who are new, and trying to figure things out, can find your way to that, even when you are struggling.
Happy sketching!