Slow=Know
July 7, 2005
Dear H______:
Think less. Draw more.
When you draw a thing, see it just as that. Not a head, not perspective, not crosshatching, just pure observation as if you've never seen it before. The more preconceptions you bring to the drawing, the shittier it will be.
Clear your mind, and start drawing what you see. Start anywhere. I tend to start in the upper left hand corner because I am right handed. I move across observing, recording, until I get to the lower left hand corner. Then I am done.
If my subject is sufficiently complex, this will take me a half hour or more. I go as slowly as I can stand to go. But I don't know how long it is usually; my left-brain has no sense of time.
As I draw, I avoid evaluation. I avoid thinking of the purpose of the drawing. I avoid commenting on what I am drawing, even in the quality of the line. I am empty and the drawing fills me up. Drawing is meditation, not production. Drawing is entirely in the present with no attempt to create context.
Do not think about style. Add shadows as you see them. But better to avoid shadows all together and stay engaged with the contours of things. When you have done that for months, even years, then add shadows and crosshatching (My pal, d.price has been drawing for a dozen years. Only on his trip to New York last week did he decide to start concentrating on the effects of light. He still almost never uses color). For now, none of that is important. What matters is to see deeply and let your hand respond.
And if you start at huge length before you draw, you risk becoming bored, or forming mental notes, theories, ideas about what you are seeing. The reason to let your hand and pen take over is to shut the hell up, silence the internal voice, the endless chattering of the mind, the distractions, the pointless pontificating that insists on meaning for the meaningless. The moment does not need meaning or context. It just is.
Drawing is about reaching for pure being. Not making pretty pictures to put in frames and on websites. The world doesn't need more pictures. It needs peace and connection. It needs people who can accept reality and don't feel compelled to control their environments. If you can look at a boot, at a rotting apple, at car's worn tire, at an old man's foot, and see it for what it is, without value or judgement, can see the beauty and particularity of the thing, you will find peace. You will avoid being covetous. You will be happy with what you have. You will accept others more readily, will see the sunshine on a cloudy day.
Life is a wonderful business, though fools blow up London tube stations and sell each other crap and waste time with gossip about movie stars. If you can draw, you will always have a place to go that is beautiful and honest and true. As you sit in an airport you will find pleasure in the folds of a crumpled lunch bag. As you bide your time in a doctor's waiting room, you will find peace in the arrangement of the shadows on the wall. Even without putting ink on paper, you will be able to slip in to Drawing Mind.
The point is not what your lines look like or how accurate your crosshatching might be.
The point is not the drawings on the page or the pages in the book.
The point is not the opinions of others who love/hate/ignore those lines you made on the page.
The point is not the money you make selling your work to galleries or publishers.
The point of practicing your craft is not to rise in the rankings of those who draw. It's not to have your style dominate (sorry, Dan!).
The point is to more easily gain access to the moment, to the deeper more peaceful recesses of your Self.
The point is to live as well and as fully as you can today, right now, whether your pen is in your hand or not.
The point is to See and to Be.
Your pal,
Danny
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Danny - This entry really spoke to me. Thank you for being my Yoda today. More, please!
Posted by: Trevor Romain | July 7, 2005 10:21 AM
beautiful - thank you for reminding me...
I'm a new mom and feel like my world is spinning out of control most of the time... but to remember myself and pieces of my life that I used to enjoy, I continue to come to your blog to think about art and enjoy your drawings.
Posted by: lisa | July 7, 2005 10:28 AM
Well put!
I appreciate your nudges and reminders.
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to shepherd us.
Posted by: Jane | July 7, 2005 10:41 AM
Thanks, Danny. Well put. I'd like to buy the world not a coke, but a pencil and a napkin!
Posted by: b | July 7, 2005 10:44 AM
wow... true enough, keep after us :) thanks.
patty
Posted by: patty | July 7, 2005 10:50 AM
Are you for real?? that was an awesome evaluation of what drawing means to the real person who observes, feels and does something about it with a pencil, pen or whatever...I am glad I signed on...thanks...you made my day!!
Posted by: Pamm | July 7, 2005 11:00 AM
I really agree with what you said, It got me drawing! I think we do get too fussy about what drawings will "look-like" instead of just enjoying the pleasure it brings --to draw.Thanks for your all encouragement
Posted by: Lu | July 7, 2005 11:14 AM
You are magnificent. What a great piece on drawing. This belongs in a book somewhere...or a billboard. This the best piece of advice I have seen on drawing and creativity..and I've read a lot. Thank you. Thank you.
Posted by: Paintdiva | July 7, 2005 11:15 AM
Ah,
When the student is ready,
the teacher will come,
thank you for your answer,
Marc
Posted by: marc | July 7, 2005 11:23 AM
The best essay about drawing I've read in a long time. Reminds me of Hokusai, The Old Man Mad About Drawing.
Posted by: Jim Cummings | July 7, 2005 11:59 AM
Hi Danny, I just wanted to let you know that my whole life has changed after I've discovered this way of thinking. Where once I just lived day to day, letting things pass me by, doing tasks mindlessly I now enjoy getting up and seeing the world, all of the little things. I notice changes in everything now in the places that I go every day, though my drawings may never become as good as yours it's the experience that I find so moving, this post is spot on. Keep doing that thing you do.
Posted by: JoHunter | July 7, 2005 01:04 PM
As usual Danny, thanks for seeing the bigger picture (no pun intended). This is the Zen of Drawing...
Posted by: ted | July 7, 2005 01:15 PM
That was gorgeous. Thank you. And, of course, a great deal of what you said applies to nearly any art. To writing. To music. To throwing the tennis ball for the dog.
Blessings,
Terry
Posted by: Terry Bain | July 7, 2005 01:15 PM
Some Annie Dillard that I read at Duane Keiser's wonderful weblog (it seems to connect with your post):
"There are many things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside by a generous hand. But- and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny? If you follow one arrow, if you crouch motionless on a bank to watch a tremulous ripple thrill on the water and are rewarded by the sight of a muskrat paddling from its den, will you count that sight a chip of copper only, and go on your rueful way? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get."
Annie Dillard, from "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek."
"The point is to see ..." Thanks, Danny
Posted by: cg | July 7, 2005 01:42 PM
Danny. That was lovely.
I have a great friend/illustration instructor and we often talk about what it takes to sketch consistently... to make it a habit. One thing you mention in your writing is to not worry about the shadow shapes. Kurt, my friend says, "...think of the shadow shapes linking the objects together. Just look at the shadow shapes as part of the whole." I was able to grasp drawing/sketching better when I thought of the shadow shapes as the links between objects. So... I encourage looking at those shapes from the get go rather than later. They can make the drawings so much more dynamic. Even though, that ISN'T the point.
Thank you so much for sharing so many fine thoughts and information.
Respectfully,
A
Posted by: Ashley | July 7, 2005 02:13 PM
Thank you, just what I need! I will stop being frustrated everytime I can't get the perspective right or take too long when drawing something. I just have to enjoy it. Cheers.
Posted by: Evy | July 7, 2005 02:37 PM
amen
Posted by: zephyr | July 7, 2005 02:39 PM
Danny,
I'm sure the person this was intended for was touched beyond words and FOREVER greatful. I'm also sure your words will not be wasted on someone who dosen't understand what you were trying to say.
Most importantly, thank you for your words and time.
Harry
Posted by: Big Harry H | July 7, 2005 03:47 PM
Danny,
Your entry moved me to tears. I feel so bad about the London bombings....brought 9/11 crashing back to me. I feel so strongly that we must begin to listen more, accept more, insist we get our own way less make space for the small quiet things that do not come with a corporate label. Thank you for helping me understand why it is I need to draw, to make things with my hands. Your words are a comfort. Lindsay
Posted by: Lindsay | July 7, 2005 04:02 PM
Thank you. I needed that. Turned from the computer screen to a piece of paper and drew the leaf sitting on my desk with deliciously slow attentiveness. And there it was, like a photo (but more than a photo) emerging from developing solution, both on the paper and in my mind. Not just a maple leaf, but THAT quirky, insect-chewed maple leaf. Slow equals know, indeed. Will print out your essay and tuck it into my drawing kit as a reminder.
Posted by: Susan | July 7, 2005 06:48 PM
Danny,
Well said. We draw for ourselves.
Frank
Posted by: Frank in CA | July 7, 2005 07:11 PM
Fantastic post. Brother, you've got it.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | July 7, 2005 08:15 PM
ah there you go again...thanks
Posted by: fern | July 8, 2005 07:19 PM
This spoke to me, too.
Is it OK if (attributing it to you) I make some copies of the part about "the point is...." for my (not artist) clients? You've definitely captured how to get into the moment, and the value of doing so.
Posted by: Dana | July 10, 2005 01:23 PM
This was wonderful. Though I already put up my weekly post "Best of the Blogs," I have to go back and add this--if only for my own sake. I want to read it again and again.
Posted by: Patry | July 10, 2005 01:56 PM
Would love to print that article out and paste it near my desk. It speaks to an artist's heart. I love it and thank you for your thoughts.
Posted by: Don Balan | July 10, 2005 03:12 PM
This letter should have started "Dear P___" as it really spoke to me. Thank you so very much for this delicious, spot-on post. It ought to be recommended reading for every artist. I will print it out and read it again and again.
Posted by: paige | July 10, 2005 04:18 PM
Thank you for this post. This is why I am drawing in ink, and keeping the crappy stuff in my journal too...I'm trying to learn to be more accepting of all my efforts.
Posted by: Joyce | July 11, 2005 10:39 AM
wow
Posted by: Southern Bird | July 11, 2005 11:24 AM
Thank you for the poignant reminder of why I have loved drawing, from the time I first picked up a pencil as a kid until now some 50+ years later...and why I hope to go on doing it forever. Your words are about what's real.
Posted by: Kathleen | July 12, 2005 11:36 PM
Danny, I love you for this entry.
Posted by: Nandita | July 13, 2005 08:18 AM
Terrific Danny...You simply know the truth!!
Thanks always for keeping at us...we NEED YOU!
It certainly is publishable...all and anyone
needs to know this. Sometimes I can capture
what drawing does for us. Starting at any point...does it for me....and just looking
and continuing those lines until the truth
is revealed. I love the idea of D. Price
of not even thinking about the shadows.
The Line Says it all....Hugs, Carole JOY
in Illinois
Posted by: Carole Joy | July 13, 2005 03:22 PM
aye. absolutely. thanks for reminding me.
yours appreciatively
laura
Posted by: laura | July 14, 2005 06:50 AM
Well said. I'll like to put it up on my blog, pls let me know if its not ok, tks.
Posted by: lihur | July 14, 2005 09:59 AM
i've read the book "everyday matters", and not really looked at your site for about 6 months. As usual I've been slack, not drawing as often as i should (considering the enjoyment it brings). Last night I drew my 8 week old daughter and I was analysing as i drew. I'm so happy i came and read this entry on your site today. I'll put my "inner voice" back in its box when I go to draw her tonight.
Posted by: Adam | July 17, 2005 10:37 PM