OUR FIRST LANGUAGE WAS DRAWING PLUS A LOT OF GRUNTING AND POINTING
Early people got into groups to share what they had experienced. Grunting and pointing or even waving arms was limited as a way of getting your tale, told, or an opinion across. But then, we flattened and cleared a patch of ground at our feet and picked up a short stick and stooped to draw and all gathered about. They began to nod; Yes I see! We all took turns with the stick to add our own bit to the topic... because we could all draw.
We could all draw and according to the cave drawings, we could all draw pretty well. Drawing was our first truly descriptive language.
My point is that anybody who tries to draw something, that interests them, can do it. They just need to hang in there, keep trying and don't become self-critical about their early result.
Everything that people like to do and even do quite well, they did awkwardly when they began.
I often advise beginners to pick a simple object (not an orange or a box) but a flower; a ceramic boat; a pair of shoes and so on.
Draw the subject carefully and place it face down... don't criticise it. Do this five times and try to do it as well as you can each time. Turn each drawing over without critique. Next, turn them all five over and notice the improvement in the final piece.
This won't always be true, but it usually is, if you aren't just rushing to finish all five.
Don't be impatient to finish and miss the fun in doing a sketch. You will be glad you drew.
Remember, self criticism is really a form of self-destruction---- JUST DON'T DO IT!
ELBERT Sculpture "Drawing on the Ground" by Elbert Price
