I'm Having Trouble Being Productive

[WindBit]

I have a big problem: I love to draw when I can do something good, but I put off drawing because most of the time I can't draw something satisfactory and become depressed.

I've been trying to draw more recently, so I go outside with a sketchpad to get away from distractions. However, most of the time I end up drawing a few sketches, feel like their all crap, and become depressed. It's getting to the point that I put off drawing because I'm afraid to fail. I know, I know, you don't know until you try, practice makes perfect, yadda yadda yadda. I just want to be able to come back inside feeling good about myself, not depressed and angsty.

[SgtDirtbag]

Do something else for a while.
Read a good book, watch a movie.
Do something you really love and let it fuel your passion to draw and then just push through as far as you can.

For me, drawing is like a medicine.
Whenever I get the urge to create, that unbearable tingling sensation in my stomach, drawing is a satisfaction, a relief.
It's as if I'm connecting with whatever propelled me into that state.

But when I draw without those butterflies in my stomach, I'll get cranky and a hazard to my environment.

[Seedling]

Wind, have you ever tried playing a musical instrument?

To learn the piano or the violin or the flute, it takes daily practice for years to develop the technical proficiency that it takes to *start* being any good. Art is the same way. You have got to learn how to make that daily grind both habitual and fun for yourself if you want to get your skills to a professional level.

It also helps to have “art buddies” at about your level who are doing the same thing, whom you can draw with and talk with about art. (I have an “exercise buddy”, myself. We keep each other motivated to do those boring awful sit-ups and such.)

Check out the “Concept Art 101” link in my sig. You might find assignment ideas there to motivate you, or maybe an art buddy or two.

[Brendan N]

I'm afraid to fail.

Why fear failure? It really is the dumbest thing you can fear. When you're drawing, the only thing you need to fear is fear itself.

Like the others said, when you can't put anything down on paper to save your life, do something else, try a new experience or something. Also, surround yourself with artists or artworks that are far beyond you. Inspiration is often my key to getting started in the first place. It is also necessary to build up a good self confidence.

When I started out I looked at artists light years ahead of me. I would ignorantly think "Hey, if I spend some time, I could do that." Of course that was never the case but since I almost believed I could pull something off like that, I was never even thinking about failure and I was never intimidated. I still look at Marko and Wes and Nox and think "Mmm, you know, I'm almost there." And that always helps me get through the next piece, even though it SOOOO FAR removed from the truth.

hope that helps, otherwise follow what has already been suggested :)

[Mike Frank]

This is always a tough situation and I think its definitely something everyone runs into, can't always be happy. The problem with this is that in order to draw well you have to be into it - really open to the possibilites, comfortable and playful. It sucks when your inner critic won't even let you put some marks on the page that you can be happy with. You gotta drop that stuff and let yourself get engaged with what you're doing.

Give up on the drawing good thing all the time and just get yourself drawing. Try to find some relaxation in just putting some strokes on the page.

If you're drawing from life or reference be realistic about what kind of time you're spending on each piece. Unless you're really experienced it will take you some time and patience in order to get solid proportions. (Even if you are experienced I imagine its all about patience.)

If you don't want to spend all that time, than don't stress the result. Just let the sketch be sketchy.. you know what i mean?

[Darklit]

Yeah, the best way to make yourself hate drawing is to try to be perfect. You have to realize that perfection will come with time and practice, nobody expects you to be amazing, they probably arent, and if youve practiced at all youll impress most people anyway. So why be so hard on yourself? I know how it gets, i think we all do. Try telling yourself before you start that it DOESNT matter if its good, just draw whatever comes to mind. If nothing comes to mind, draw a face. (lol, it works every time for me)

Besides, there will always be more to learn. Thats the best part! You never have an excuse to get bored, its easy to find specific areas you can improve in. Just focus on those for a while and youll find yourself getting better without noticing.

Im not a pro yet, but theres some advice (take it or leave it)

:)

[Hyver]

try being reproductive.. trust me, the productivity will soon come after

[JessicaNoel]

WindBit- I've felt like this several times. Unless your art really sucks, it doesn't matter if a peice comes out worse than you envisioned in your head. Have you taken preliminary drawing courses like perspective and figure?? Until I took these classes two years ago I wondered why I coudln't draw people/figures' whole bodies correctly. My art has improved tremendously through learning/practicing these techniques I learned in those classes. I still get "depressed" about making crappy art but a lot less thus far. LOL

[HunterKiller_]

Hey man, believe me when I say that I know exactly what you're going through.

I think most artists go through this phase. I feel like I myself have just gone through this phase. I now generally feel quite confident about my abilities.
How did I get here? Keep drawing. Don't get too attached to your works, especially if they're just sketches.
If it's crap, bin it, burn it, eat it, whatever.

Keep on drawing. A thousand bad drawings before a good one.

[kafine]

I'm having some of this at the moment. I'm supposed to br filling a book with location drawings for uni, but every time I try to do it I draw one thing and it's so eye-achingly awful to me that I have to stop.

I'm drinking camomile tea (it smells awful) and trying to sort out some other problems in my life which I think may be blocking the flow.

I'm not sure if I can reccommend the camomile tea... but these times usually do seem to come along when there's other things going on that are stressing you out. So taking a break, sorting other problems out, or doing something relaxing may help.

[Carnifex]

remember that,like in music,one needs to warmup first. if your first sketch looks like crap,work through all the crap until you feel like puking,but feel you're in a good rythm,then throw away that first one (as forceful as possible ;) ) and start with something you really like.
what helps tremendously is to get other people at your level together and draw with them,don't compare all the time though.
works best when you're out with them somewhere,and the light isn't the best. it helps keeping unfocused so you can lay down your values etc better,you won't get too lost in details yet. talk with your buds while drawing,that way your mind will automatically do what you know is right (kinda like doodling on the phone,don't think,feel it :) ).
it's hard to go through,and i have it more often than not,but it sorts itself out eventually.
and yes,don't forget to do other things inbetween. there can be no output without input.
(and if you're absolutely desperate,just recycle old ideas that you still think are awesome but could be drawn better)

[Wasker]

... I'm afraid to fail.

Fail, fail again, fail better. Try different techniques. Some days I'm sickened just thinking of grabbing a pencil and get on with it, those days I use charcoal, acrylics, water color or oils instead (or digitals!)