It was Independence Day last week.
It got me thinking that Independence Day isn’t just for the USA or other countries either… it could be your independence day too!
Today could be the day when you say goodbye to all the rubbish that is holding you back as an artist. The day you say goodbye to bad habits, the day you say goodbye to the person other people think you are, the day you stand up and say I’m going to be me and do things my way. The day you start becoming the person you want to be.
Just like a war of independence, it is a hard, dangerous and difficult thing to do. But remember, the battle is not with anyone else, the battle is entirely with you and the person you are today. Only you can become the person you want to be.
Don’t waste energy destroying things and relationships, just quietly move forward. Put those people and ideas behind you. Grow into the new person you want to be and the place you want to be in.
Good luck and Happy Independence Day!
YouTuber @mogutty told me they had some artwork stolen from an exhibition when they were 12. Since they that have not used a sketchbook in case they lose it.
I think that they were probably told a story when they were 12 and have let that ruin their lives ever since.
Firstly make sure your name and address and email is in the book so people can send it back to you. Moleskines have this printed on the inside cover and suggest a reward for finding and returning. Most people will understand how precious it is to you and return it anyway, if they can.
Secondly, try a smaller book, with fewer pages. Then if you lose it you haven’t lost too much.
Either way, a sketchbook is for fun, for reference. Don’t take it too seriously, it’s not a michaelangelo, it’s the preparatory work for your masterpiece.
Don’t create excuses that stop you getting on with the real work of learning how to draw. You can only do that by drawing and a sketchbook is a great place to do all that practice in.