Any Artist Out There?

[tussin]

So my dad gave me a pastel set last time I was home. Here's my first painting ever (self portrait). Critiques welcome.

 

[Irish Insanity]

So my dad gave me a pastel set last time I was home. Here's my first painting ever (self portrait). Critiques welcome.

It's fantastic. But you look like you're 12

 

[military_irish]

What is every artist here's ideal drawing environment?

For instance currently I am in the process of working on a piece and I normally make myself a drink, straight whiskey preferred, and put on a slow music mix of all genres. Slower the music, it tends to help me focus and concentrate on my current project.

If my environment is off, I just can't produce the artwork to the best of my ability.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

What is every artist here's ideal drawing environment?

For instance currently I am in the process of working on a piece and I normally make myself a drink, straight whiskey preferred, and put on a slow music mix of all genres. Slower the music, it tends to help me focus and concentrate on my current project.

If my environment is off, I just can't produce the artwork to the best of my ability.

When we moved to Tennessee, our new house afforded me the ability to have a dedicated studio space. I usually put on a good movie, but one I have seen a bunch of times so I don't have to really watch it. I will light some candles or some Nag Champa and the only electric light I have on is the one on my drawing table. Occasionally, I will put on music, but movies work better for me. I have worked while drinking, but it usually devolves into just drinking. My own issue, I know.

 

[GATTACA!]

What is every artist here's ideal drawing environment?

For instance currently I am in the process of working on a piece and I normally make myself a drink, straight whiskey preferred, and put on a slow music mix of all genres. Slower the music, it tends to help me focus and concentrate on my current project.

If my environment is off, I just can't produce the artwork to the best of my ability.

There is definitely something about the environment that makes it a suitable work space. For all my years in school I was never able to work in my studio. Something about it. Idk if it was the chair, or the drafting table, or the distractions, or that I didn't have every single one of my supplies there, but no matter what I tried I just couldn't get work done there.

I commuted to school so most of my work I did in my basement in front of the TV. MY family got sick of the mess being around constantly so one of the extra rooms downstairs was turned into an "art room" where I could work and make a mess and no one would care.......except I couldn't work in their either. Something about the mojo was just off.

Fast forward to my own house and I'm having the same issue. I've now got the entire basement that I can work in, but it just doesn't feel right. I've settled into a spot on the floor in my living room working at a coffee table. I'm sure it's terrible for my spine but it is the best place to work. Idk why, I wish I did.

As for what I do while working I always have the TV on. As GO IRISH!! said reruns and movies i've already seen are great so you don't have to focus on them. I'll work during sporting events too though. The distraction doesn't affect me that much. I notice if I turn everything off and concentrate 100% on the artwork I tend to get too concentrated on the minutia of the piece. I start to focus on one little section and it ends up not meshing well with the rest of the piece. I also love listening to podcasts. That tends to be my go to now. I still put the TV on mute in the background for some reason.

Also Military great stuff. Watching your progress just through what you post in this thread has been amazing. Tussin that piece is awesome especially for your first attempt! But just FYI that's a drawing lol.

 

[military_irish]

There is definitely something about the environment that makes it a suitable work space. For all my years in school I was never able to work in my studio. Something about it. Idk if it was the chair, or the drafting table, or the distractions, or that I didn't have every single one of my supplies there, but no matter what I tried I just couldn't get work done there.

I commuted to school so most of my work I did in my basement in front of the TV. MY family got sick of the mess being around constantly so one of the extra rooms downstairs was turned into an "art room" where I could work and make a mess and no one would care.......except I couldn't work in their either. Something about the mojo was just off.

Fast forward to my own house and I'm having the same issue. I've now got the entire basement that I can work in, but it just doesn't feel right. I've settled into a spot on the floor in my living room working at a coffee table. I'm sure it's terrible for my spine but it is the best place to work. Idk why, I wish I did.

As for what I do while working I always have the TV on. As GO IRISH!! said reruns and movies i've already seen are great so you don't have to focus on them. I'll work during sporting events too though. The distraction doesn't affect me that much. I notice if I turn everything off and concentrate 100% on the artwork I tend to get too concentrated on the minutia of the piece. I start to focus on one little section and it ends up not meshing well with the rest of the piece. I also love listening to podcasts. That tends to be my go to now. I still put the TV on mute in the background for some reason.

Also Military great stuff. Watching your progress just through what you post in this thread has been amazing. Tussin that piece is awesome especially for your first attempt! But just FYI that's a drawing lol.

It's true, environment is pivotal to the quality of work. I've tried different areas, even tried in public, nothing is as good as being in my room. I actually have my easel set up right next to my bed. It's definitely full of clutter with nothing but art stuff everywhere. Finished portraits on the wall, unfinished projects on the wall, scrap paper laying everywhere, my "tool box" of supplies laying on the floor but truthfully having all of it around is a calming environment for me.

Also thank you for the compliments, I've definitely been practice and developing more techniques to better my work. I'm almost embarrassed looking at my old work but it shows my progression which is pretty cool.

 

[GATTACA!]

It's true, environment is pivotal to the quality of work. I've tried different areas, even tried in public, nothing is as good as being in my room. I actually have my easel set up right next to my bed. It's definitely full of clutter with nothing but art stuff everywhere. Finished portraits on the wall, unfinished projects on the wall, scrap paper laying everywhere, my "tool box" of supplies laying on the floor but truthfully having all of it around is a calming environment for me.

Also thank you for the compliments, I've definitely been practice and developing more techniques to better my work. I'm almost embarrassed looking at my old work but it shows my progression which is pretty cool.

That's great! You always want to feel like that.