Motivation needed... help plz!!

[nightmare]

Hi guys!!

I`ve been here on the forums for some time now, even though i dont post too much, i`ve found a lot of great talents around.

Well, let`s get to the point then. I`ve been drawing since i can remember and for a self-thought fellow, i feel that i`m able to draw something that is worth at least a good crit or two. But here is the problem; i`m in college now, i study advertising and to some point, i`ve learnt a little about art and i`ve taken some drawing classes, but as i have advanced on my carreer, i have less time to draw and i feel frustrated about it, cuz i`ve lost motivation on drawing.

So please guys, all i ask is a simple question.... how can i motivate myself again, so i can draw as much as i did?... any help will be pretty much apreciated. THKS!!

ps: sorry for my spelling, my english kinda sucks!! :p

[Mirana]

Things that help me -

- Look at art that you like. Keep a list of artist and art sites that get your blood pumping. It always makes me think, "If they can do it, so can I!"
- Assign yourself some "mindless" observation art to do...go to a life drawing session. Take sketchbook to a park, a zoo, or an aquarium. This makes your mind think, "I'm prepared to do it. I'm out of my comfortable I'll-just-watch-TV element. I just have to follow the forms. It'll be a mini-vacation--OH LOOK! I CAN draw! Wow, that was easy."
- Give yourself permission to draw something for an hour FOR YOU. I can't tell you how stressed I'd get about working and schooling and how I "shouldn't" draw anything but my assignments because they had deadlines. Well, if my stress keeps me from doing, or doing well...then I need to take a breather and draw something for me.
- A tie in to the above: Draw gifts for your friends. Their favorite character, a play on one of their creations, a portrait, etc.
- Do a contest. Gives you a brief, deadline, and motivation--you might win something!

[Hyskoa]

By waiting till you graduate and see if you still can be arsed to work insanely hard for 3 years while keeping a shitty weekendjob to become better at drawing.

If your answer then is yes, you'll be insanely motivated. If it is no, you'd best consider it a hobby and nothing more and should only spend "hobby-time" in it.
If you're still miserable with your current state of being after saying no and being confident in that choice, then it's not the lack of drawing that's making you feel demotivated or bad in general, it's one of your life's choices that's bothering you. Good luck finding that one =)

[Maidith]

Listen to Bobby Chiu's podcast - full of wisdom, it'll make you want to paint.

http://www.imaginismstudios.com/journalism/2008/01/free-digital-painting-video-happy-new.html

If anyone wants a transcription of the first video, let me know :D I have one available, it's just too friggin long to post here.

[nightmare]

Thanks a lot guys!! Wow, those are precisely my faults: 1) i don`t draw due to stress from college. 2) i`m too used to “drawing on the table” and I get lazy to go out and draw…. Are you psychics or something??... jeje JK!! Thanks again, I`ll work harder from now.

[Mirana]

The funny thing is I always think "How can going outside to draw really help me?" and then I step out on the stoop with my sketchbook and think, "What the hell was I *missing*?!" :)

[J Wilson]

The funny thing is I always think "How can going outside to draw really help me?" and then I step out on the stoop with my sketchbook and think, "What the hell was I *missing*?!" :)

A change of environment helps TONS. I go to the mall personally. I sit at the food court, grab lunch and then afterward spend a few hours people watching and sketching. Going any place new helps, but I especially like places you can sit in one spot and have the scenery (people) change around you, but have it be an environment where people tend to hang out for a few minutes before moving on giving you time to really observe and sketch them.

[bhanu]

I think taking a sketchbook ervywhere you go helps, sooner than later you will draw on it....I take mine everywhere....about motivation...There are means to get motivated but really..really you can only get motivated from within...