NO LONGER SCARED! | Working loose & getting over the fear of the sketchbook | Essee watercolours
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- Опубликовано: 28 май 2024
- In this video, I'll talk about finally allowing myself to work in two different styles (tighter/more precise with a lot of detail vs looser) and how I managed to get over the mental block that stopped me from doing this for so long. I'll also share the value of working in a sketchbook and how I've gone from being someone who felt very intimidated by sketchbooks to someone who couldn't imagine being without one! I hope that you'll find this video useful or inspiring, and I'd love to hear your thoughts about working in sketchbooks in the comments section below.
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Sketchbook: Claire Fontaine Goldline Natural Square Travel Album 20 x 20cm (I found mine on Amazon)
Watercolour brush: Betty Hayways No. 7 (The Chelsea Paper Company)
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00:16 🎨 Exploring Essie handmade watercolors for the first time, focusing on loose painting with one color and one brush.
01:03 🎨 Selected two Essie palettes, attracted by their earthy and muted colors: Haiku palette and Moons and Moods palette curated by an illustrator.
03:19 🎨 Demonstrating a more casual approach to swatching, emphasizing real-world usage over perfect presentation.
07:11 🎨 Reflecting on the struggle of breaking out of a preferred style and using a Sketchbook more freely.
10:58 🎨 Finding inspiration from artists like David Hockney to embrace multiple styles of painting.
14:46 🎨 Simplifying the creative process by using a limited color palette (Cold Forest) and one versatile brush (Betty Hayways #7).
20:45 🎨 Embracing imperfection in Sketchbook work, acknowledging that not every page will be perfect and learning from mistakes is crucial.
25:25 🎨 Expressing excitement about developing a looser painting style, no longer fearing having multiple valid artistic styles.
26:59 🎨 Encouraging viewers to follow their creative instincts, use Sketchbooks for experimentation, and not be afraid to share imperfect work.
Thank you so much for creating this list! Perfectly explained. :)
Advice from an older lady who’s been around for a while….. first you have to EMBRACE you Natasha and if it means you want to paint with your fingers DO IT! I have watched many sketchbook tours and I’m sorry but these aren’t sketchbooks rather they are art book tours. Sketchbooks are places to explore ideas, work out problems and have fun experimenting. Let go of perfection! Mistakes teach one more than successes, relax & have FUN with your sketchbooks! Cheers!
Yes, most ”sketch books” really don’t have sketches… I once saw a book about Frida Kahlo’s sketch books/diaries. They were real sketches - many of the drawings were ”really bad”! Thank god I saw it. It gave me hope and perspective.
Thanks for this post! Needed to hear this!
nancylemon4120, here's another "older lady" agreeing 100% with you. Sketch books are for recording personal musings, ideas, and experiments of the artist. If said artist wants to share them, that's OK but it shouldn't be the goal.
I also find this contemporary online reverence for the holy "sketchbook as finished piece" baffling. The sketch book is for you, not your audience, you should be filling loads of them with all sorts of notes and sketches, working out ideas and generally using them as shorthand prompts for your paintings, sculptures or whatever pieces of art you are working out in your head. In art college back in the 80's we used to have stacks of them next to our workspace and they often ended up being thrown out once you moved onto a new project. Every now and then I would keep a few because I wanted to return to an idea or because I wanted a record of a particular progression I'd made. There is a lot of falsehood in online art, please don't fall for it and you will find yourself a lot more free as a result.
Interesting, I have been extremely precise at times, to the point of drawing extremely fine detail and highly finished stuff I've literally transcribed into finished paintings. Now I don't do that... The only way I can use my sketchbook now, is to literally switch of all and any critical part of my brain, if I draw something that is anti art and total garbage then so be it... I've had enough of trying to do 'art', or caring if what I do is 'art'.
Recently, my six year old grandson created a painting he was quite proud of. We were a bit puzzled as to the subject matter, so as we oohed and ahhed over it, his mom said”It’s beautiful, what is it?”. He took a beat, shrugged and replied matter-of-factly “It’s a masterpiece”.
Somehow, between childhood and adulthood, we lose our freedom to create without negative self-assessment. I was so prolific artistically as a child. I plunged in headfirst and created some awesome stuff. Now I hoarde my art supplies as precious objects and I’m terrified to make a single mark in the sketchbooks because I want everything I create to be a masterpiece.
I know the feeling you describe very well. We need to hold on to some of our childhood confidence and the freedom we had to create what we wanted to create. The way I've been looking at it is that there is nothing sadder than art supplies sitting there unused or a sketchbook untouched. So I'm doing my best to use all of these precious materials now rather than just letting them sit there in the studio. :)
I started painting on bottles in acrylic because it helps me not be so "serious" about it. And, actually, I enjoy it, more fun, spontaneous.
Maybe just develop a bit of a bad attitude. Lol. If my husband dares not give a glowing review to something I love I simply dismiss him as an ignorant man. What does he know? My painting is glorious! Adorable! He just doesn’t get it. This is true. I love my art. Not the junk. But a lot of it 😊
The book Drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards goes into why we draw when young and then it tails off. I found it such an eye opener. Was available in my local library too. Good luck.
This ❤
One way to loosen up is to hold your brush higher up. It’s automatically more difficult to be precise and fussy.
I want to be loose but not that loose! ;)
I just started a new sketchbook purely for getting over my fear of being bad at drawing. Anyway I started on the last page and I’m working backwards. I’ve found this has practically erased all of my fear of ruining it.
A great tip!
I usually start from a third page 😅
What do you mean by starting at the last page?
Thank you for the tip! I will try that!
@@olestokke Back to front, einstein.
If you want to experiment with other styles, try a dedicated sketchbook where on each page you copy another artist’s work, a different artist every time. It will broaden your horizons even if the resulting pictures aren’t “good”.
A copy book is so educational.
It’s interesting that we feel the need to be controlling over our expression.
I’m a 60 year-old artist I’ve been painting since I was a young child. I’ve become proficient in many mediums. I love to challenge myself to do different styles. They tell you it’s best to stay in one stall so that people will recognize your work, but I don’t like the feeling of being stuck in one box. I want to learn to be able to be creative in all mediums. You learn something from each one. It helps you grow as an artist.
I've been painting 4 years with watercolour, i've just started using sketchbook's and i find i want to paint more.
It's as if i have been given more freedom, everyone should try it.😊
I'm the opposite, I seem to have a different style in every medium. My challenge is developing a coherent look across my body of work. I don't know if that's even possible.
When I first started using sketchbooks a long time ago, they were cheap and intended just for ideas, doodles, quick sketches in pencil and pen... I wasn't precious about them at all, and I completed them pretty quickly.
Later when I started using fancier sketchbooks, the problems started. I didn't want to "waste" good paper on bad art. Then I thought I should stick to the same theme, not mix my imaginative work with landscape studies from observation in the same book. Use only watercolor in a watercolor paper sketchbook, not pencils or pens, because it's a waste. So many rules I completely made up that spoil the fun.
I'm a few pages away from completing a sketchbook I bought in 2007. It was my first expensive sketchbook ever, and I was intimidated by it for too long. Last year I was so annoyed with myself and started doodling in it to fill it up faster because this was getting ridiculous. Finally the end is in sight. I'm not allowing myself to buy any more new sketchbooks until I fill each one I already own. There's so many...
I didn't intend this comment to be so long, but you absolutely hit a nerve with this video 😂 You're certainly not the only one struggling with this.
Loved your thoughts on this. I am an obstinate believer that sketch books are NOT for the finished product. The sketch book is for ideas that may or may not come to life. Test new media; jot down a face ... absolutely anything. It's a diary of artistic thought. My sketches are mostly in pen or pencil even though I use water color 99% on finished projects.
YES!!!
I totally agree, now....I have moved on from "everything being in the right place and time" etc. Now I try everything because I want to try everything!
Yes, for unselfconscious play. Making composition experiments. Mixing colours play.
Thank you for saying this! its refreshing and calming to a lot of us in the world. I am always practicing portraits and other pencil work in my sketchbooks while my finished works are always in watercolor.
I agree… although I have actually made prints of several paintings in my sketch books and they have sold well. Best to approach the sketchbook as a study or practice though!
Having a child forced me to let go of my perfectionist ways. He’s 8 yrs old now, and he and I both are very good at saying, “well, it is what it is.” And leaving it like that lol. (My journey as an artist didn’t start until I became a mother, so those two identities go hand in hand for me.) As I became used to living with imperfection (read: infant & toddler years lol) and started trying on the hat of Artist, I had to learn to give myself permission to make “ugly” art. Now, 8 yrs later, I have a system, and I’ll share that with you! I keep a “scribble” sketchbook under my bed & in my office- a drawing paper sketchbook that I literally scribble scrabble and doodle in whenever I have the itch to make pencil marks and no inclination to make “Art”. It holds nothing and everything all at once :). I keep 2 watercolor “sketchbooks”-- a big & a small size, to play with washes, palette combos, layers. Sometimes I throw in some watercolor pencil on top, but mostly it’s just for pushing paint around & playing. I keep 2 acrylic “sketchbooks” for the same purpose as my watercolor ones. I’m a mixed media kinda person. I have all the different types of pastels, and those cross pollinate wherever and whenever I feel like throwing them in. It’s a mess, and I love it lol. Sometimes, beautiful works come out of this play, and I cut them out to gift or replicate them for gifts, or I just keep these treasures for myself. Sometimes I get really into one medium, and zip through one sketchbook after another for it, but leave my other sketchbooks untouched for months (I haven’t painted with acrylic for a year now I think). But it’s okay, bc the sketchbooks sit there, nonjudgmental, no rush, no forcing, no grasping, just patient, waiting for when you’re ready to come back to them
I relate so much to this. My whole mood changes when I paint in a naive style or do "children's-book-like" illustrations, but it's like all my instincts guide me towards another direction where I get stuck in the details and everything end up looking stiff.. and frankly, whenever I do get stuck on the details I'm not enjoying myself as much while painting. I can do realism but I simply don't enjoy it as much.
I don't know if other artists are the same, but "looseness" doesn't come naturally to me. It's like I need to go against what comes naturally to me in order to create what I want (which is... paint in a way that makes me happy). Whenever I paint loosely, everything is a conscious choose. I don't know if some people have it naturally easier to paint loosely or if this is something everyone has to work though, but I feel like even if I don't have much of that "loose flow" while painting, I still enjoy the process as lot more when I paint in a looser style. Even if it's somewhat "forced". I hope it gets easier with time. Painting loosely is probably the hardest thing in art I've ever encountered. It wasn't until I started learning that I understood how hard it is. I found a new kind of appreciation to artists who can "paint like a child". I'm so impressed by people who can paint fearlessly. We need more of that!
🤗🤗
I just got a bunch of kiddo paint at the dollar store to loosen meself up😅
You shouldn’t get trapped in a “style” especially in your own little sketchbooks. And if your experiments take your style in a new direction, it isn’t a bad thing, its just another sign of growth and another stepping stone on your art journey, and you should be proud of it!
My issue with sketchbooks is that if I draw something a little nice on one of the pages it sets a “standard” and I need to keep shaking that off. Or I fear repetition of drawing the same thing over and over, but I also battle to fight this feeling too.
Love your sketchbook spread, it was a wonderful process too watch.
Natasha, thank you for sharing your art and yourself. I so very much enjoy your videos.
Just a couple of thoughts in response to your questions regarding painting styles and sketchbooks:
I strongly believe artistic style is strictly personal. There is no right, wrong, good, or bad. There is only each of us at a particular moment in a continuum of changing moments. The pace of change over that continuum is also very personal and subject to the same "principles" mentioned above, i.e., there are no universal rules. We will know when it is time to try something new. Usually that is when what we are presently doing no longer challenges, excites, or stimulates. No need to fret over it. Also remember that change does not have to be drastic. It may come in small and measured steps--it is growth nonetheless.
As for sketchbooks, no universals here either. If you want to loosen up, try keeping a separate, less dear sketchbook for loose work. If that meets your artistic need for loose, creative practice, you can discard the practice of keeping the more finished versions...or not. If you do both, I doubt the sketchbook police will come calling. This is one of the few places in life where you are in the driver's seat.
As with everything in life, we will never be able to do it all; we need to find satisfaction in the thing we are doing at each moment. There is no time for us to waste second guessing that which we are not able to "squeeze in." These things I have learned, sometimes painfully, through my personal experiences😮 over seventy decades.
Thank you again for sharing your unique and remarkable talents. Enjoy your creative ride. God bless.
I have arthritis in my hands and fingers and a nodule in the palm of my dominant hand. I have had to develop a looser style because it’s quite painful to hold the brush for fine details. I was surprised to find how liberating it was. I like my sketchbooks. Sometimes I make little sketches on odd sheets of paper and, if I like them, glue them into the sketchbook.
Patty-I discovered that I have a leaning towards abstract, which took me by surprise. Now, this isn't the style I envisioned. However, I asked myself do " I have to hold myself to only one style."" My answer was absolutely not. I had intended to use my current sketch book as an opportunity to just experiment. I'm finding that I am going in a direction that was unexpected. These sketches are turning into pieces of art in their own right. I have learned that even though what I create may not be what I initially envisioned, it doesn't mean that it is bad, just different. For me, that is a good thing. Natasha, I'm so glad you are going on this exploration. I hope for you to have many more wonderful discoveries.
I love what you've said here, Patty!
During my first year of art school, I struggled with finding my own style. Then I slowly realized that everything you do, you do it in your own style! You injected your passion and vision into the artwork. Since then, I was never afraid to experiment with different medium and style.
Love this!
I am loving the realness of this video. Thank you sharing!!
You are so welcome!
YT is full of artists who only show you the good bits. I found your video refreshingly real, and I’m really, really grateful that you did it.
The apparent perfection of many people's sketchbooks has made me terrified to start them. That’s not healthy or normal.
I would like to loosen up my style because it’s one area where I still gravitate towards a level of perfection.
So here’s to keeping it real and learning to be loose.
I am so glad that you're embracing having more than one style and allowing yourself to have fun making art in your sketchbook no matter how it turns out.
I'm glad that I finally got there! And now the rest is an ongoing (exciting) journey. :)
I haven't struggled with this but my mentor was very old school and I feel like his lessons really helped me avoid this. Its far to much for me to unpack in a comment unfortunately. I've been thinking about writing a book full of tips an inspiration to help people get over this issue. ❤ its wonderful that youre drawing attention to this problem.
That would be a great book!
@@NatashaNewtonArt Thank you ❤️
So glad you have conquered a creative fear and found a new creative direction by doing so, it's fitting that your hero David Hockney was a starting point. I love the Esse paints too (discovered them through Kriksis) the quality of these paints is amazing,they have a gold which i really love.
I wouldn't be without a sketchbook,I have used them for my entire life and still do.they are a back bone to my traditional mixed media work and my digital work. I can swatch new colours, work out new palettes,colour mixes, thumbnails sketches,resolve things I'm getting stuck on in a piece I;m working on, I can play,experiment. They are like a journal or diary of ideas,a place to make your creative thoughts visible,a place to evolve your work. I think we have a core style that others recognise in our work,that people know is ours looking at it, but within that core style we can create it in different ways,a more controlled way or a looser freer way,but our core style and it's essence wil still be there. I work in many styles and always have done,but it's because it's more liberating creatively,and I work in what ever style best suits the idea I am trying to put into a finished piece. Our core style changes subtlety as we change with how we work maybe as we age,with new creative discoveries.And our sketchbooks are a way to record this journey of creative change. I always make time in my day to work in my sketch book to get going creatively, to take a break from a piece or pieces. And since beginning to make my own sketchbooks as well I love them even more. Our sketchbooks are also good to take on our travels, they are like a portable studio in book form if that makes sense. Letting rip creatively in a sketchbook can only enhance our more finished works long term as we learn in our sketchbooks. They are a future resource too, and are great for working through creative/artist's block too. I always feel my creative wellbeing is made better by working in my sketchbooks as it's a place of creative contemplation and meditation too. It sounds like resolving your creative fear has seeded a new way of thinking and future working,and it sounds really exciting. Can't wait to see where you go with all these new discoveries and how it finds its 'voice' in your work. (matt)P.s the two paintings are stunning, I am hoping to travel to see your exhibition with Melanie and Krisis. I love the Esse 'maya indigo' it's a great mixing colour,because it's both a cold and a warm colour.
Hi, Natasha,
Thank you very much, not only for sharing your beautiful artistic gifts with us, but your honesty as well. I too get confined with a debilitating perfectionism that often prevents me from doing the painting and writing I enjoy.
I'm a bit better now, I just had to push through the perfectionism barrier, and return to painting and writing, trying very hard to be mindful of the joy and serenity these two things give, rather than becoming bogged down with being perfect.
Please know that your work is beautiful and soul soothing, it's a brilliant gift that I am fortunate to have discovered! Be well. 🙏💕💕
Wise words! Thank you so much.
Isn’t it amazing how limiting choice can actually lead to more freedom and creativity. I would suggest there is no “bad work” only experiments that lead you to new places
everything you said about finishing a sketchbook and style is exactly 100% how I feel. I also feel like how a sketchbook is supposed to be used is up to the owner themselves. :) love your work and your ideas !
The struggle is in the head, and it's virtual.
The abilities are in your hands, and it's real.
Trust your hands ❤
My favourite artists as a child were Toulouse-lautrec and Hockney, and so I always wanted to make loose work. But I tightened up a few years ago due to feeling insecure. What really helped me was doing a textiles course, they required us to experiment as much as possible far beyond our comfort zones. That was a relief for me! Sometimes we need to go off in different directions to come back to ourselves too. Life’s an adventure! Awesome video and beautiful work ❤
I love this video and I’m watching it for the 3rd or 4th time. I work very loose and more urban sketch style in my sketchbook for my YT videos because I want to complete a page in a reasonable amount of time. But my art for my shop, I am more precise and purposeful and botanical mostly. I love doing both. I absolutely love your work Natasha! You’re so inspiring!
If you want to paint looser, move you hand further down the handle of the brush. You hold the brush like a pen. You’ll be surprised at the type and variety of marks you can make when you do this . Congratulations on challenging yourself and go ahead and play with abandon!!!
I agree, was about to say the same. To paint loose hold the brush loose, less control, more flow.
Have you ever tried mark making? AKA making a mess. Also, I just got a few of Jackson’s softback sketch books A5 only 50p! I’ll find the link……
Thank you for this, Natasha. You have a strong voice and it shows in every stroke, wash, and line that you do. Your style is consistent no matter what technique or materials you use. If I see a screenshot of your sketchbook spread on Pinterest, I would know that this was you! I think we just need to be true to ourselves and our voice will shine through no matter what we do. I’m looking forward to seeing your experiments! 🖤🖤🖤
Thanks Steph, I really appreciate that. :)
What a fabulous example of how different dilutions makes an immense difference. Thank you. What a fun video. I have some horrors in my sketchbook but what the heck. All my art is in sketchbooks but I'm very much an amateur but just love it. Wise words from you about how the rubbish ones are part of the journey.
What you’re describing is so true to my experience! I find it very challenging to let go and draw loosely. Very comforting to hear a clearly experienced artist deal with the same issue!
Accepting the good bad and ugly is all unconditional love❤️
Natasha this style of video is great. I love to watch actual painting. Your commentary is very honest which I really appreciate. These pages are very much still recognisable as your style. I shall try a monochrome spread with one brush in my own sketchbook. This way of painting seems to be very liberating for you. I am so happy to be watching your art journey. Thank you for sharing x
Thanks Lesley! Yes, do have a go yourself. :) x
@NatashaNewtonArt you just sounded so incredibly happy at the end x 😂
Fun❣️ when you were painting the birds, I noticed that your brush had a very fine point and held a lot of water. I am constantly searching for a better brush 😂 and so I zoomed in on the brush, saw the name, googled it, found the maker and checked whether they shipped to USA. Haha, your next sentence told me the name of the brush 😂
Ha ha, that's funny!
one message that I remember from when I was a young artist (dont remember who said it) was "dont worry about "style" you will never get too far from yourself. "
It always resounds when having moments like you discussed. xx
Love that! Thanks Carol. :)
Appreciate you sharing this sketchbook “fear”. I definitely suffer from perfection paralysis when it comes to my art occasionally; it’s something I’m trying to overcome. Sometimes it means I won’t use my sketchbook because it’s so “permanent” and I don’t want anything sloppy stored forever 😅, much easier to toss a single sheet of watercolour paper aside. Love this painting session in your sketchbook!
What you've said is definitely relatable!
A lovely reminder to let go of perfectionism and release our creative juices ❤️ Thank you Natasha 🥰
Thanks Joanna! x
The new style of work isn't imperfect, it's just different ❤
thank you so much for this video, having a variety of different styles have been something i’ve struggled with so much for the past few years, and i am also a perfectionist. it’s so nice to see i’m not alone in this. lots of love💗💗
As far as sketchbooks go I have learned to scribble or do a doodle on the first page. This way it breaks new sketchbook syndrome. From that point forward you can relax and fill the book without having to worry that everything needs to be perfect. Enjoy your journey 🙂
Thank you. As I watched your video I was painting and it was not working out. I gave myself permission to play. It is actually turning out better.
This is great to hear!
I finally sold my first watercolor. It was loose,dark and very religious, I think I found my calling. Love your style of painting tight and in patterns, so unique, don’t change a thing.
Congratulations on selling your first watercolour!
This spread is definitely a Natasha styled spread! The motifs you sketched- little house, landscape, moon, trees, birds, rainbow with moody clouds, raindrops- if people know your work will see consistantly repeated throughout your art. So I think subject matter can also define your style. If you started drawing fire engines or the inside of a kitchen cupboard that would be quite a departure from your style (although probably quite interesting to see too)😊 Here's a few questions for you- would you say you intentionally limit your subject matter? Would it still be a NN if the subject matter was completely different? Just a few thoughts to ponder! ❤
That's an interesting question! Alongside the landscapes and birds, I've painted still life subjects, figures in my landscapes a while back, abstracts, occasional animals - each time people have said that they can tell it's my work in my style, so I think it would still be a NN painting! I just tend to gravitate towards the subjects I'm most interested in, and that happens to be landscapes and nature. Although maybe I should drop a fire engine in there sometime!
😃@@NatashaNewtonArt now that would be fun sketchbook spread to do/see- 'Things I don't usually draw!' I could send you a list including the fire engine 😄
I love your "typical style" work and your looser style work as well. I also love watching your work here as an amazing study in value and composition. :) I'm so glad you are enjoying this loosening up part of your art! It's wonderful.
I have the Moon & Moods palette..and love it. Lunar Eclipse can literally paint itself..just load your brush…paint it on rather thickly…and watch it do its magic! Love these colours!
Sketchbooks are wonderful things! It’s a place for learning, never a place for judgement. Don’t be fooled by all the people on social media who make Art books ( books full of finished works). Real sketchbooks are a hot mess because they are a place for making mistakes. I look at my sketchbooks as a place of learning, not failures, but just part of the process. I’ve been using sketchbooks since I was a young kid and still take pride in filling them with all my process work.
Funny enough as a child I strived for perfection and now, at almost 50, I strive to loosen up, LOL
As self proclaimed uptight freak who was stuck in a photo realism rut for years, I finally broke free. Use a big fat brush, hold it way back toward the end, take your hand off the page. Think color and shape. Shadow and texture. Use a spray bottle. If you hate it, use it for collage.
Great tips!
I used to be like you with tightness so I joined some RUclips groups who do quick fire challenges. A landscape in 30 seconds with a limited palette and it broke the mould and set me free. As for finishing a sketchbook, I now do random pages which tricks me into using my sketchbook until one day, hey presto, it’s filled.
This looser work still looks very much like you, just not in formal dress. I love it! 🤩 You might be surprised by what you think of this page after some time has passed. I usually hate stuff, forget about it, rediscover it later and think it’s wonderful.
As a recovering perfectionist, I get a sacrilegious thrill from working loosely. Would you consider sharing the challenge you’re working on, or a recap once you’re finished?
As for style - the main people driving this idea that artists should stick to one style are overly commercial. True collectors and fans appreciate evolution.
I'll definitely be sharing more along these lines in the future - and more of the experimental sketchbook work. :) Love what you've said about style too!
.. Art, to me, is expressive. As Hoomans we have a myriad of ways to express how we feel soooo .. why should it be any different when we are creating? .. now this is coming from someone who was in the same boat as you in the not too distant past, the difference now is that I can excitedly get in any boat, on any given day & have fun doing so (even if it comes out a dud 😋) .. the freedom that accompanies this is soooo liberating! ..& you are right my darling, it's a super way to facilitate growth & develop tastes.. all this means to me is that when I do get back into my original 'favourite' boat I'm bringing far more on board than I used to! 😉🤣
Muchest of love & happy sailing to you my darling! xx xx
** cheeky sidenote: the swatches remind me of the Derwent Drawing Pencil colours **
Finally catching up on videos and this was so relaxing :) I learn much more from my 'mistakes' - but it's all just notes and observations to me anyway. I love the experimental side of it and care very little for my "finished" work. But I know if someone is trying to sell finished pieces it does matter. I try to find joy in the process so that no matter how I feel about the results I still love it.
I love this attitude, Sarah!
One of my favorite channels to 'relax' with.
I'm one of those people who admire and love artists for being brave being something that we (me) was born as, but was too afraid to be what they wanted to be.
Few years ago I used to be very scared of trying out new styles. I feared I'd completely switch and loose the style I loved and was pursuing so much. But to find work in the video game industry I had no choice but to do it and it went completely differently than I anticipated. Instead of "loosing" my style, it just added new skills to my pocket. Everything new I learned became useful to my old style and enriched it. I could manage colors better, details better, I wasn't so afraid of saturation anymore. I didn't loose anything, I could just do more things!
Anyway all I want to say is that coming out of this cozy comfort zone can only enrich everything you do, it's amazing and I'd recommend everyone to not be afraid and do it!
I’ve recently allowed myself to embrace the ugly sketchbook pages along with the lovely ones, to me that’s what they’re meant to be for, otherwise we won’t learn and progress ❤
This is so good,,encouraging us to just go in and enjoy the process. Ive now spent yrs watching everyone and getting so disappointed thst I cant find my style.
Now im doing art for the fun of it,,,the good, the bad and the ugly,,,its how im learning to enjoy. When you're old and never really played much,,its a challenge to allow the joy of painting ❤
Very true !
I can totally relate to what you have said.
After being concerned this past year as a ‘newbie’ and about ‘finding a style’ I now feel that it is actually not necessary to add extra pressure on ourselves being concerned about it.
I think that we do not necessarily have to have a particular style at all .
It’s just so freeing to be able to try many different styles and materials.
Now, having come to that realisation, and as you have also said, I, too, enjoy trying whatever I want to when the fancy strikes, having given myself permission to not be concerned.
Different materials and supplies call for different ‘styles’ and to be able to enjoy having fun with no pre conceived ideas of what the style will be brings a new feeling of relief.
I am 70, and also quite new to all mediums but loving them all . 🤗🥳
Maybe a particular ‘style’ will eventually find us …or maybe we have been drawn to one from the outset ….that’s great, too…..but in the meantime, let’s just enjoy it all.
Ah....learning to play is one of the most important things in life; or RE learning. I am a child at ❤️ mostly life 🎉 is still filled with wonder at 86
I definitely feel this way too. My paintings are what I call 'tight' and not loose. I've tried painting loose, but I find it hard. Sometimes I feel like I dont know what I want. Also I don't use my sketchbooks as much because I feel like I dont want to ruined them with bad work.
This all sounds so familiar to me!
I love your new sketchbook!
I haven’t worked in a sketchbook in years and then I only used a few pages and quit.
Like you I want my drawings to be perfect and when I am studying I make a lot of mistakes and throw a lot of paper away. 2 weeks ago I purchased a grey tone and a brown tone sketch book. I have been forcing myself to work in them to ease myself out of the perfectionist mentality.
Plus I recently bought pencil crayons and watercolour pencils and I am finally using color after spending my entire life afraid of color.
I really love your style and I can tell that you are beginning to enjoy the looseness.
You are really good.
I bought some water colors too.
They are still sitting on the shelf.
Watching you paint has inspired me to try.
Thanks for being brave and trying new things!
Thank you so much, and I hope that you did try painting with your watercolours! :)
A diary of Artistic Thought ---that is a perfect way to describe a sketchbook. I too suffer from perfect syndrome & have trouble letting go in sketchbooks. This was a very inspiring video. Thank you your work is beautiful.
Thank you, I'm so glad you found it inspiring!
I‘ve just discovered the account.. as a beginner. And love your playful style. Nevertheless, please, stay curious. Thanks to this sketchbook sessions, you’ll evolve in a way that serves you. I totally believe. Cause you know, and show, how to handle your tools within these tiny, but gorgeous exercises.
I am not sure, if I could have done it with just one brush. The idea, however, I like. And maybe, it makes me draw again one day. I stopped due to perfectionism. All the fun was gone. I don’t have to make a living out of it. But the problem itself remains. So that
this title sounded like music in my ear. And I wish you all the best.
In regard to your challenges, and sharing. You should be proud of showing up. That’s enough for now. Keep it going.. loosely.
Watercolour videos are therapy for the soul. I really like neutrals and I still try to achieve them with primaries when I can.
I have been a technical illustrator for 40 years and breaking away from the natural instinct for minute details has been very difficult. I still find myself with my nose to the paper.
It's hard to break the habit, isn't it! I agree with you about watercolour videos. :)
This is so fascinating to think about. I feel like I use lots of styles in my work, and hilariously I have always thought of this as a weakness! Like, a sign of artistic immaturity showing I haven’t found my voice yet. So the idea that an artist like you, with such a distinctive and beautiful style, would actively want to break out a bit is so interesting to me. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly about this. I think it’s easy to think that everyone else is perfect and to assume no one else is agonising over their ‘style’ or ‘should I experiment more’.
On sketchbooks, I had thought I had improved a lot and seen off a lot of perfectionism by just sketching more, and not caring so much about the result but using them to practise and play. But then I had three sketchbook pages in a row that I was much less pleased with, and lost all my confidence, so I suppose it’s all a work in progress!
I’ve found that I am not as intimidated by sketchbooks that don’t cost a lot. So while the paper might not be quite as good, I think I get more out of a cheap sketchbook than my expensive ones. Stupid but there it is.
I like your sketchbook spread. It’s a looser style, but it’s still recognisable as your work. I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops ❤
Me too! I used to obsess over buying the good ones, but I have MUCH more fun in the cheaper, thinner paper. The more it bleeds or crinkles, the better lol
@@lawsdraws whatever works, right?
What you've said about cheaper sketchbooks is interesting, Sonya!
Wow. You watercolor people are really built different! It was great hearing your thoughts and watching you put down the brush with such confidence and making those amazing sketches.
I am really enjoying some of your recent videos where you deconstruct some of your work habits. It’s honest and brave and interesting. My sketchbooks are full of experiments as I teach myself new ways of making art. They have a specific purpose - to try out ideas, rather than for display. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. 😊
Thank you so much for your kind words. :)
It’s surprising to me you’ve never managed to finish a sketchbook, but I totally understand it. Fortunately I found one with just a great compromise between affordability and quality that just doesn’t make me feel like I may ruin it with bad art (I’m looking at you Etchr), so I was able to finish three of those. I actually just shared a tour in my channel where I show a mix of paintings I liked, paintings I didn’t, exercises etc. As I think its good to show all sides of art practice and I do enjoy seeing other artists « failed » experiments or unfinished pieces, it makes it more relatable. That being said, I also fight a lot with perfectionism and being tight when painting, so I know where you’re coming from. I dare to say I liked your little looser landscape more than your regular ones, I found it very lively and expressive. Hope you continue to experiment with this ad thanks for the video.
P.s.: I don’t think it’s possible to be completely free from fear of failing (I always have it at different stages and levels), but it’s important to do it despite the fear. I compare it as riding a roller coaster (which I love btw); I’m always scared at first, but I force myself to go through with it because I know I’ll either enjoy it or get it over with and onto the next one.
There's nothing wrong with painting in a precise way. But everyone should have a sketchbook where they can paint, draw, make marks whatever and don't judge it. At least one of your sketchbooks should be inner-critic-free. I used to be afraid to make mistakes and just put anything on the paper.I had to slowly reprogram my brain that it's okay to make mistakes in my sketchbook and sometimes even needed. I love you style btw... it's so unique and beautiful 😍
Try this. Get one of your unfinished notebooks . At the first empty page do this. Put the tip of your little finger on the page and make long curving sweeps of color top to bottom. Next page put the tip of your little finger on the page and make the sweeps in another direction. On each succeeding page do the same. Change angles, colors, start sweeping from page to page. No images. Just start sweeping and looking for how the open spaces look, how the sweeps might overlap, how the colors bleed into one another. Don't touch up the sweeps. If the color skips or the shape is wonky its part of the exercise.
So many of us are incredibly self critical,I honestly don’t think I’ve ever REALLY been happy with any of my work despite other people liking them,and I have finished a lot of sketch books but they all have at least one page I’d like to tear out 😂
I absolutely love this video. This is also something that I've been working on myself, I've been plagued with the curse of perfectionism for most of my life and I am ready to rid myself of that curse. I'm tired of being scared when I paint or draw. I'm an artist! I want to feel free, I want to experiment with different styles and mediums, and to be grateful to simply create. It's going to be a long path, but it gets better each day with practice. ❤
Ah just came across this video. Yes, perfectionism is not good if you want joy. I suffer from it too. Your sketches are beautiful. I’ve decided to give myself permission to be flawed in my art. And I just picked up back up after many years because it doesn’t pay the bills, etc. Insert whatever adults told you as a young person. I’m nervous but I’m also older and learned a lot from life. It’s gonna be a journey.
Well I think it’s marvellous!
Thank you, Penny!
I love all the advice here about not worrying about whether work in a sketchbook is good or bad ❤ Another thing that's helped me with that: if a page is unbearably bad, i paint over it with white gesso or acrylic paint (of any lighter color), making a fresh page for new experiments 😊 You can also add pieces of paper to make a collage style page, covering just the bits that are less satisfying, as well as furthering your experimentation
Oh yes, loads of sketch books here, and if I feel I've messed up a page, or if it's not in same 'style' as previous paintings I am not keen on using that book again..so utterly silly right? 🙂 I love your detailed work, but equally like lose style, nothing wrong with having fun with different styles as long as you're happy and had fun doing it.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Natasha! The beauty of imperfection, the freedom of play, and the generosity we should have with ourselves are all so important to us as artists -- loved hearing your thoughts about enjoying the process!
You are so welcome!
I can identify with being perfect in my sketchbook. I try to be looser with my paintings but I have such a hard time. They say just letting go is so enjoyable. I will continue to just let go. Thank you for being so honest and not being afraid.
I'm a first time viewer of your channel and your question about different styles I can relate to. I used to paint in oils, strictly traditional subjects. Over the years I wanted different mediums that convey the subjects better. Now I'm a mixed media artist. I usually let the subject dictate what medium to use. The main obstacle I think is letting go. Just have fun and play! Don't second guess yourself. Just enjoy the process
6:10 I love the mountain/hill in the background.
Thank you!
I resonate with this message very much. I felt I couldn't break through to a new style even though I wanted to. I bought a really crappy sketch book and did studies in it of artists styles I admired and wow. It changed me so much. Really quickly as well. My paintings are so different now because I grew out of my box. Best thing I ever did for my art. I must say it broke the perfectionist in me. Because the sketch book wasn't about being perfect it was about learning the pieces I wanted to take with me in my art style. And now if something is broken or imperfect I still get upset but then I know how to fix it, by experimenting in my shitty sketchbook 😂😂
I can totally identify with what you are saying. I always want things perfect in my sketchbook and get upset with myself when they not. Listening and watching your video makes me realize that I just have to let go and enjoy. Thank you for sharing.
It's so easy to get stuck. I love Helen Wells. She is very encouraging when it comes to a sketchbook
This resonates with me so deeply because I’m often too scared to even start, never mind finish a sketchbook! I have this need for everything to be perfect otherwise I find myself internalising the ~failure~ and thinking I too am such. It’s a very overwhelming mindset and it’s hard to break out of. I admire your honesty on this kind of subject because it serves as a reminder that even the artists I respect can also be battling similar dilemmas - despite content offering a different impression. The best thing we can do as artists is try to impose as few restrictions on ourself as possible, as it usually tends to hinder creativity rather than encourage it. Also I think living in the age of social media we can lean towards wanting everything to be picture perfect all the time, and it’s not realistic or fun to give in to that constantly. I love your videos because not only do we get to see your beautiful work, but we often receive gentle & helpful reminders like this 🤍
Such a good topic for discussion. I really struggle to let go and let the work flow. I have a dedicated book where I either copy, or experiment with other artists' styles. I title each drawing "in the style of..." to try to develop the muscle memory to loosen up.
I do 2 styles. I paint animals and botanicals so some specific details will be very precise like eyes, or stamens. The rest will be more loose. Best of both worlds for me. The trick is to remember to loosen up after I’ve been painting precise. I usually have to take a break to rest.
I never finished one either, in a combination of not finiding myself good enough, the work not all being perfect and having ADHD I have a lot of half finished sketchbooks. I am working a sketchbook now for grafite sketches only and one for watercolor I intend to finish those! I try to allow myself to have fun, and to learn :)
Thank you for your video which is so helpful for me as someone who is learning as well.
I love that wood watercolor box!
Love your paintings by the way. Just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing 🖤
Bravo Natasha!
Hi Natasha! I've never commented on a RUclips video! But I just HAD to tell you that this was so inspiring! It really spoke to me. Thank you!! Also, I thought your painting was, in fact, very nice. I like the idea of painting with just one colour- I think it brings out the light and shade elements so well.
Thank you so much, I'm so glad that it inspired you! (And thank you for commenting - it's always lovely to hear that the videos are being enjoyed!).
Wonderful!
Omg! I am struggling with exactly this, especially trying to fill a sketchbook with perfect paintings every time, (it drives me insane as cant just let myself go and make a mess!) then i give up and dont paint for ages. It’s like i get a kind of “art anxiety”. I just came on youtube for some inspiration (having sat at yet another blank page for ages 😩) and your video popped up.Thank you! You artwork is beautiful
Thanks so much, I hope it helped!
I really feel inspired by your first image with the house in your sketchbook! And it still screams Natasha Newton! Keeping growing 💙
Thanks Emily!
I am getting better with my sketchbooks it took a long time but I am enjoying the journey everythinh you touch will have beautiful you in it Natasha be it tight or loose see how you like both like you already said see how it goes enjoy yourself 😊
i had the revelation recently myself that i had been desperately trying to pin myself down to a specific way of drawing things instead of embracing my own natural inclination in doing what i feel like, which is more freeing, satisfying and easy. previously i was trying to fit a cube into a round hole so to say. i enjoyed it so much more going with what i feel and branching out trying different styles and ways of working on things instead of trying to limit myself in one set "style". much more enjoyable feeling free to work as you please vs some made up criteria you set .
I loved art , but not having the funds have always held me back from my dreams, it’s not about work i worked , I never had sone one in my corner , and always something came up. Now 56 I have felt discouraged and disappointed in my self a lot more. I am getting into some hobbies but like I said funds and the cost of things .. so I feel sad about it. But I definitely love to watch others make art , you and nez have been wonderful to watch. ❤🇨🇦
It's funny...since I'm such a beginner, I don't yet HAVE a "style", so don't have this problem. LOL...at THIS point, if I'm trying to sketch and paint a bird (for example), I'm just THRILLED if it actually looks like a bird....no matter what "style" I happen to ACCIDENTALLY create it in. As far as sketchbooks go, I find one and use it all the way through for ALL kinds of things. Swatching, sketching without painting, testing out pens, etc. Space in my house it at a bit of a premium, so I can't realistically have 5 sketchbooks going. So of course you can, change your "style".....just play around a bit and maybe look at other artists for inspiration (as you did with David Hockney). Maybe get outside of your house a little and do some urban sketching on site....THAT will foster quick and loose sketching for sure!
This looser apprach is absolutely beautiful, Natasha! I think you've levelled up your whismy! These little experiments feel very much alive!
Thank you! I'm so pleased you think so. :)
I am looking forward to the "finished sketchbook flip trough"-Video... I hope you really lost your fear and you don't quit on your way
Still working in it now and intend to keep on until its finished!
It definitely still looks like your style!! Style is more than filling the whole page with paint. It’s also your color preference, the way you use washes and dry brushing. Your trees and houses and bushes are very recognizable. And the more moody color pallets are also very you.
I like to think of it more as doing different subjects in your style rather than thinking the style is different because of how things are placed on the pages.
I hope that working this way inspires and challenges you to improve the way you want! 💕
That is me...I keep looking at completed sketchbooks and it's so intimidating. I'm going to stop. I do find that painting patterns help when I get stuck in my head.