15 - [Inner] The Ward of Erahum [Mouse]

[Voolf]

Sure you can copy my drawings, i do that all the time, especially when i try to learn new things. For me its very hard to create something brand new just from imagination. I learn differet ways how to depict things and then try to think of some world and apply new skills, throw everything in and see what comes together nicely. When you repeat same thing over and over again, you will realize that you dont need references so often as before.

It is hardly a motivation for you, but don't think everything i draw is 100% success. I fail time after time. I just realize now, that those failures are actually lessons for me. Fnally when i get it right as i wanted and i am pleased with the effect, i upload it here for everyone - only the good ones

[Mouse]

Sure you can copy my drawings, i do that all the time, especially when i try to learn new things. For me its very hard to create something brand new just from imagination. I learn differet ways how to depict things and then try to think of some world and apply new skills, throw everything in and see what comes together nicely. When you repeat same thing over and over again, you will realize that you dont need references so often as before.

Thanks Voolf - that's valuable advice. And thank you for allowing me to shamelessly copy your style... IF I can! LOL!

It is hardly a motivation for you, but don't think everything i draw is 100% success. I fail time after time. I just realize now, that those failures are actually lessons for me. Fnally when i get it right as i wanted and i am pleased with the effect, i upload it here for everyone - only the good ones

Ah! Maybe that's where I'm going wrong. I show all my failures as well, which doesn't do a lot for the confidence, but the benefit of advice and encouragement from my friends more than outweighs any embarrassment at the mess that happens along the way

If this was a painting I'd get rid of the blank canvas by starting with a Turneresque whirlwind of vague blurry shapes and work with that. If it was a novel I'd stick my headphones on, get Dragon working, and talk to myself till I started saying something worth writing - without having to actually look at the distracting 'warm up' gibberish coming out on the screen before that moment. Its easy enough to delete the rubbish when I'm done Neither of these tactics would work on a map, however, so I still have the blank canvas thing to get over. I've tried working over the top of older pieces, but that's equally distracting.

Do you ever have a problem getting started, and what do you do about it if you do?

[Voolf]

Do you ever have a problem getting started, and what do you do about it if you do?

Always, if i just sit down in front of paper (or screen) thinking "let's draw something", that meas i probably won't draw anything, but doodle. I get a decent drawing once on 10 times maybe without any thinking.

What i do now is wait for an idea that comes to my mind. It can be anything, simple things also. Either get inspired by something i saw (my latest compass). I saw a photo of it and immediately i thought "It would be nice to draw one". Or a more slow idea development - i wanted to draw some buildings and a small scale map. I was then looking around for reference and inspiration through other people's work and photos. Finally i decided to pick some real place from google maps, so i dont have to think about layout. That is how i started Heian Shrine.

It's easier when you get a commission because usually you will get a draft and you know what to draw from start.

Anyway, dont force yourself sitting in front of white canvas when you dont have an idea. It is very discouraging. Start duplicating others work making small changes (a river twist, mountan range spread slightly different, maybe add little lake.... things like that). With every map you train your brain, you start to understand how things work together and after some time you will start drawing without a refference.

It is hard to explain, it is like suddenly you understand how to do it and just do it.... Now i understand why people could not explain to me how to draw... You can't, you have to practice, everyone does that. Putting it bluntly, its all about repetition. You draw same thing over and over again, untill drawing it make no problem at all, then you start drawing new thing.

I recommend you a good YT channel by Alphonso Dunn. I learned a lot from his tutorials. He is one of the best teachers i ever saw imo. Everything he says has gret value for drawing, and he explains how to draw things from basic shapes. Now, he is not drawing maps, but you can translate the knowledge you get there for the maps with ease. The most important are the perspective, how to shade, how to crosshatch, and then there are some useful tuts how to draw the mountains too starting from a basic square.