Next question is , my drawing was improving ALOT and i had a little break then I had all these drawings to do and it just isn't happening. I thought it was the workload, I dont think i rushed it , I thought it was the pressure factor so I drew something else just for my own portfolio but it still didnt work, I just don't know. Maybe you guys could give me a few ideas ? I would appreciate it .
Thanks
Jenni
P.S Merry Christmas to everyone from the land downunder.
P.P.S J.D I finally got your book (after 3 long long months) it was absolutely awesome. My fiance calls it my bible and teases me about how many times I show it to people . LOL

My suggestion is that you just keep drawing and don't compare your work to earlier drawings. I'll bet other people think your drawings are much better than you think they are anyway.

I have decided after christmas that I am going to slow down and just do some drawings for me and not expect too much, go back to just drawing for the enjoyment and see what happens.
Thanks alot guys and have a great christmas!!

Believe it or not this is someting that has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks or so. I think this is a real problem for most, if not all of us at some stage, trying to keep things new, fresh and exciting, trying to keep the drive and burning passion going.

Bill and yourself have got a good point about unrealistic expectations. We want to improve and set ouselves subconcious goals and when we don't hit them, we tend to lose heart and start to wonder. Like anything in life that is new the gains at first are tremendous but the more we learn, and the better we get, the more those gains seem to slow down and the harder it is to see them. They are still there, belive me, just not so obvious. At first you where learning the craft, you are now most probably at the stage where you are honing it, something that will go on forever.

I think it's also true we don't think we are as good as others think we are, I most certainly fall into that category. Speaking for myself I am pretty insecure when it comes to criticim both bad and good. If its bad I fall to pieces, if its good I sort of half believe it but cant quite understand why anyone would think it's good, if that makes any sort of sence. Although when I look back at some of my stuff I have'nt seen for a while, I do think it's good, Screwed up or what I guess my sense of self belief needs working on

You are certainly not alone in what you are going through, there are 2 of us at least

like i said, i gave my friends one freebie, especially the ones that know more people, i did their houses, only requesting in return that they talk me up and give info to anyone that seemed (even remotely) interested. ive started to get a couple calls, and a few cocktail conversations, about doing such things for others. in those conversations i give a price list, as if its written in stone and ive been doing it all my life.

the free stuf youve done so far will pay off as advertising. just say one day, like tomorrow, anything i do from now on i want at least $x per hour, and preferaby $y.

take a look at some pencil price lists and shave 1520% off since youre still an amateur, and shave 50% off for "friend" prices

good luck

I have a brochure with my prices and requirements. When family, friends, etc. ask me to draw something I give them a brochure and tell them I am pretty booked up right now but if you decide you want a drawing let me know a month in advance.

When I get in a slump or have difficulty getting that perfect eye or nose, etc., I grab a crayon and my sons coloring books and scribble like a mad woman. I don't even stay in the lines....oooohhhh such a rebel am I!!!

It helps release a lot of tension and loosens me up to go back and just draw because I enjoy it.

I only have one rule about art, if you are not enjoying the process, stop! Go have a beer, glass of wine, watch a good movie, whatever... Start again when you are in a frame of mind to enjoy it....it will always turn out to be your best work!!

Thanks for the advice
Jenni