A friend said that she never has as much fun doing the art as she does going to the art store 😂 I know buying the same materials as one’s favorite artist is no replacement for doing the work. But I do like to nerd out about pens and pencils etc. so…what are your trusty supplies and what are you experimenting with lately? Thanks! ✒️✏️🎨🖼️
How long did it take you to figure out how to make the Venn diagram of who you are really work for you as an artist? We still seem to live in a world of slick, one style only artists and I sometimes feel like a dust bunny full of random bits.
Wendy - thank you - currently a member of the GUT group but I’m having trouble right now with the negative self talk… I see all this wonderful work posted and I don’t always feel confident enough to share- how do we work past those fears? I bet there’s at least one other person here that feels the same. My skill level is very basic and beginner.
Good evening! I’m having a hard time keeping a drawing practice, and I think it’s in large part because of what I have been trying to figure out: Do I need to first learn how to draw something as close to realistic as possible before breaking the rules and drawing more whimsically/less realistically? I just don’t know if I will ever be able to draw photographically realistic but should I keep trying? Thank you!
How do I get to enjoy/feel good about drawing people/animals/living creatures? I want to build a habit to get better at this, but it’s just not fun and feels like a drill :( (and my perfectionism vibes). Help! Thank you Wendy! 🌈 ✍️
I just fell and broke right wrist in two places. I was on a roll sketching every day and using colored pencils. I’ve thought about trying everything with my left hand when I’m out of soooo much pain I do water colors and acrylics so I’m game to do anything.
Hi Wendy-- what a fun idea; thanks for being open to answering questions. In the spirit of abundance, 3 questions came to mind:
1. Given you've been so prolific in your career–please let me fan girl!– writing and illustrating books across many genres, editorial illustration for the NYT and other well-known publications, launching Women Who Draw, TED Talk & Workshop, Draw Together video & podcast series, DrawTogether Strangers, Speaking at the National Gallery of Art, this wonderful DT GUT community on Substack, and that's all just on the top of my head... What lights you up and gives you energy these days? How do you want to spend your time and talents?
2. Tips for someone (okay, me) who's been on a quest to find part-time, paid, fulfilling illustration/design work and collaborate with awesome people? I know having an art practice has so many benefits on its own, but I feel compelled to do "something" with it. I love learning from established artists and illustrators, but I'm curious to hear advice for and from folks who are in the messy middle of figuring things out. In the past, conventional advice seemed to be: find your artistic voice, share your work on Instagram and maybe an art director will find you there, but is that still true? Any lived experience wisdom or practical suggestions to share?
3. Would you consider offering an in-person Draw Together GUT retreat someday? It could be in a parking lot and I think it would still be pretty magical with this community you've created, but can you imagine.... nature + good food + art + GUT?! sign me up! 🙋🏼♀️
I am new to drawing - kicked off my practice with your 30 day challenge. I’d like to continue to learn drawing techniques (watercolor and hand lettering too) and am overwhelmed by the online offerings. Plus I’d really like to do some in person classes. Willing to do some travel. All suggestions welcome!! Of course my first choice is YOU- if you ever teach! Thanks- Maggie
How did you / does one break into illustrations for publications? I am always seeing people thanking art directors for inclusion, and I'm so curious what the pipeline from making work to connecting with some one who buys work is like? It is luck / being noticed? Submitting your work somewhere? Professional representation? Certain places that work is more likely to be noticed? Thanks :)
What is the way to find the motivation to build an art career when you’re a complete beginner? A beginner who has significantly build up her art skills over the years. Really want it to work out ✨
Can you recommend an affordable sketchbook/journal that can handle a bit of watercolor? I love my $3 comp book (per ms. Lynda B.) for daily journaling. I bought a $30 watercolor sketchbook that I’m hesitating to start using. Any suggestions... beyond get over it, it’s just paper, have fun, you’ve spend $30 on lunch with a friend for crying out loud!
Hi Wendy, first off, I’m in GUT and love it. I’m getting more comfortable capturing moments through drawing, but a nagging voice within says I should first build a foundation through more formal, academic techniques (block-in, measuring proportions, etc) before breaking away from realism and draw in looser, expressive way like I gravitate towards. The voice is loudest when the sketch looks off—e.g. the perspective or angle doesn’t seem quite accurate.
My aspiration is for the drawings to lead into painting in abstraction or abstracted realism. Would love to hear your thoughts and advice!
How do you recover from burnout? A burnout so bad that after 5 years of consistent art practice and running an art biz, I can't stand my art supplies anymore. 😭
I'm having trouble getting a daily drawing habit going. I prefer to draw on my iPad with Procreate but sometimes the almost limitless colour and tool possibilities leave me with choice paralysis. I imagine picking a limited colour palette and tool set would help but I'm having trouble getting going. I also have trouble choosing what to draw. Maybe joining the Draw Together Grown Ups Table might help. Anyway... help!
A friend said that she never has as much fun doing the art as she does going to the art store 😂 I know buying the same materials as one’s favorite artist is no replacement for doing the work. But I do like to nerd out about pens and pencils etc. so…what are your trusty supplies and what are you experimenting with lately? Thanks! ✒️✏️🎨🖼️
How long did it take you to figure out how to make the Venn diagram of who you are really work for you as an artist? We still seem to live in a world of slick, one style only artists and I sometimes feel like a dust bunny full of random bits.
Wendy - thank you - currently a member of the GUT group but I’m having trouble right now with the negative self talk… I see all this wonderful work posted and I don’t always feel confident enough to share- how do we work past those fears? I bet there’s at least one other person here that feels the same. My skill level is very basic and beginner.
Good evening! I’m having a hard time keeping a drawing practice, and I think it’s in large part because of what I have been trying to figure out: Do I need to first learn how to draw something as close to realistic as possible before breaking the rules and drawing more whimsically/less realistically? I just don’t know if I will ever be able to draw photographically realistic but should I keep trying? Thank you!
How do I get to enjoy/feel good about drawing people/animals/living creatures? I want to build a habit to get better at this, but it’s just not fun and feels like a drill :( (and my perfectionism vibes). Help! Thank you Wendy! 🌈 ✍️
I just fell and broke right wrist in two places. I was on a roll sketching every day and using colored pencils. I’ve thought about trying everything with my left hand when I’m out of soooo much pain I do water colors and acrylics so I’m game to do anything.
Hi Wendy-- what a fun idea; thanks for being open to answering questions. In the spirit of abundance, 3 questions came to mind:
1. Given you've been so prolific in your career–please let me fan girl!– writing and illustrating books across many genres, editorial illustration for the NYT and other well-known publications, launching Women Who Draw, TED Talk & Workshop, Draw Together video & podcast series, DrawTogether Strangers, Speaking at the National Gallery of Art, this wonderful DT GUT community on Substack, and that's all just on the top of my head... What lights you up and gives you energy these days? How do you want to spend your time and talents?
2. Tips for someone (okay, me) who's been on a quest to find part-time, paid, fulfilling illustration/design work and collaborate with awesome people? I know having an art practice has so many benefits on its own, but I feel compelled to do "something" with it. I love learning from established artists and illustrators, but I'm curious to hear advice for and from folks who are in the messy middle of figuring things out. In the past, conventional advice seemed to be: find your artistic voice, share your work on Instagram and maybe an art director will find you there, but is that still true? Any lived experience wisdom or practical suggestions to share?
3. Would you consider offering an in-person Draw Together GUT retreat someday? It could be in a parking lot and I think it would still be pretty magical with this community you've created, but can you imagine.... nature + good food + art + GUT?! sign me up! 🙋🏼♀️
I am new to drawing - kicked off my practice with your 30 day challenge. I’d like to continue to learn drawing techniques (watercolor and hand lettering too) and am overwhelmed by the online offerings. Plus I’d really like to do some in person classes. Willing to do some travel. All suggestions welcome!! Of course my first choice is YOU- if you ever teach! Thanks- Maggie
That yellow screen video was hilariously cathartic! 😂💛
How did you / does one break into illustrations for publications? I am always seeing people thanking art directors for inclusion, and I'm so curious what the pipeline from making work to connecting with some one who buys work is like? It is luck / being noticed? Submitting your work somewhere? Professional representation? Certain places that work is more likely to be noticed? Thanks :)
What is the way to find the motivation to build an art career when you’re a complete beginner? A beginner who has significantly build up her art skills over the years. Really want it to work out ✨
Do you ever teach workshops? If so, when and where?
Can you recommend an affordable sketchbook/journal that can handle a bit of watercolor? I love my $3 comp book (per ms. Lynda B.) for daily journaling. I bought a $30 watercolor sketchbook that I’m hesitating to start using. Any suggestions... beyond get over it, it’s just paper, have fun, you’ve spend $30 on lunch with a friend for crying out loud!
Hi Wendy, first off, I’m in GUT and love it. I’m getting more comfortable capturing moments through drawing, but a nagging voice within says I should first build a foundation through more formal, academic techniques (block-in, measuring proportions, etc) before breaking away from realism and draw in looser, expressive way like I gravitate towards. The voice is loudest when the sketch looks off—e.g. the perspective or angle doesn’t seem quite accurate.
My aspiration is for the drawings to lead into painting in abstraction or abstracted realism. Would love to hear your thoughts and advice!
How do you recover from burnout? A burnout so bad that after 5 years of consistent art practice and running an art biz, I can't stand my art supplies anymore. 😭
I'm having trouble getting a daily drawing habit going. I prefer to draw on my iPad with Procreate but sometimes the almost limitless colour and tool possibilities leave me with choice paralysis. I imagine picking a limited colour palette and tool set would help but I'm having trouble getting going. I also have trouble choosing what to draw. Maybe joining the Draw Together Grown Ups Table might help. Anyway... help!