From my last post, you should know that I have committed to finally starting my actual visual arts quest with classic doodling. That is, putting pencil/pen to paper. It has not an easy journey to get to this point because, as usual, I had to thoroughly overthink this decision. You could say that overthinking is my biggest asset, or maybe it is my worst liability?
Before I go any further, it’s time for a lessons learned story.
I was reading an article over at the Medium recently, where I came across a story about two wannabe painters that is related to this topic:
Wannabe painter A decided he wanted to take up the art of painting. With that in mind, he proceeded to get all the best paints, brushes, and other art stuff. It took him weeks to read numerous books and sources about how to use the right brush strokes, image compositions, and color theory. Months went buy until he finally put the first brush to canvas.
Wannabe painter B decided he also wanted to take up the art of painting. He went down to his basement and gathered items that he thought he could use, and then went about painting.
I discovered, yet again, that I am like painter A. I spend too much time prepping and not enough doing. I know my Aspie traits likely have something to do with this, but that is no excuse. When I started thinking about this visual arts project, I studied a half dozen books about doodling. Each one looked at it from a different aspect. Some concentrated on the basics, such as holding the pen/pencil, others emphasized steps A – Z as the way to becoming s successful doodler. After the books, I started gathering all the supplies that the books said I needed. I had to have: an easel/drafting board, pencils with various hardness ratings, colored pencils, colored ink pencils, sketching pads, tracing paper, etc, etc.
When I initially considered taking up doodling, I thought of all the software apps that are around to produce similar results. That put me on a parallel path to accomplish the original goal. My first thoughts of doodling started early this Spring. Here I am in late Summer, and I am just now starting to actually doodling.
To settle this indecision, I have decided to go back to my “Simplify” mantra in life and just use the paper/pencil approach as the first serious step in this Visual Arts journey. And, it’s about time.
So, it is literally “back to the drawing board” to do some serious doodling.
RJ's Corner - Having My Say 
RJ, have you considered Zentangle drawing? My wife has been doing it (self taught following YouTube) for years and loves it. One website is https://zentangle.com/ with a link to their YouTube channel. See what you think. It’s become very popular.
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Thanks for the idea, Don. I’m not sure if I know the difference between Zentangle and Zen doodling; it is likely just a matter of detail. But I will certainly check it out. I would love to see some of your wife’s work.
I wrote this post about a week ago, and I have been practicing quite a bit since then. I think I am just about over the first wall of being so hesitant when I am doing the initial drawing. If I just let my mind go into a free-flow mode, the initial drawing comes quicker. I guess that is the Zen part of it.
One thing I do know about this new endeavor is that there is a lot for me to learn, and that is a good thing.
After all, RJsCorner’s byline is:
Think For Yourself, Question Everything, Never Stop Learning.
That should be true for everyone, no matter your age.
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I think “Zentangle” is just the copyrighted brand name for the materials and such. It is, as you call it, a conscious practice of doodling in various pattern—usually in black pen but some have taken it further with shadings and even some colorings. There are hundreds of “tanglers” on YouTube and it’s quite fascinating. There is verified evidence that it does in fact produce a calming sense (hence the Zen part) and many pay good money to become a certified CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher). But, of course, anyone can learn and draw in this form—that costs nothing, except for the materials!
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It looks like I have stumbled onto a hear-to-fore unknown world. 😁 At least to me. It will be interesting to see where this new path goes…
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Haaa! This post popped up when I did a WP Reader search for visual art & it’s the reason why I read more of your site. THANK YOU for posting it! I’ve always been the Wannabe Artist A type person. Books! Tools! Materials! For everything I ever wanted to try. Want to write a novel? Buy 47 books about how to do that and 16 more about how to get the manuscript published! Join 2 writers’ workshops! Buy reference books about the topics in the novel! Make 3D models of the characters! Read the books! Go to the meetings! Then…then…finally…write a chapter. But, blaaah. Not as much fun as getting ready to write that first chapter. Similar situation with art (painting, drawing). Many things, much delay. I envy the people who just do it and am trying to be that way.
You posted this in August so I suppose I’ve missed a lot of your progress but I’m going to follow. Looking forward to more! 🤗 (not stopping to proof this comment so I hope it’s legible)
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Thanks for the thoughts, Robin, and welcome to RJsCorner. It’s nice to see another neighbor around the corner.
I have been the same way as you. I have always dreamed of being artsy, and I thought, if not now, then when. I have been at it for a few months now, but still haven’t settled on a particular media to pursue. Due to my Autism traits, I always over prepare for most things. I have been posting here almost daily for 15 years now, and still haven’t run out of things to say. Check out my posts for Sept and Oct, as I have a lot of visual arts posts during that period. It sounds like we have a lot in common.
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This is a great article and I can totally relate. However, as what is more likely a Wannabe A/B, I truly believe BOTH processes are valid. I consumed a lot of information and accumulated a lot of supplies that I “might” want to use when I finally “decided” to pursue art. I read and read and read and I don’t think the time or effort was wasted. When I finally did begin, I understood quite a few things. Of course the things (I thought) I knew got tweaked and continue to develop as an art student. As with everything else, there is no one right way. Pre-beginning activities won’t be an effective shortcut but those who just go ahead and start, I believe, spend just as much time preparing to get wherever it is they’re going; they still have to learn the same things so it’s not a shortcut for them either. Just my two cents. 😊
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Oh, just one more thought. There are many articles on the positive side of procrastination!
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thanks for the thoughts, Robin. It sounds like we have numerous experiences in common. I think for me, it’s as you say, a matter of degree. I have tried almost everything, and now it is time to start narrowing down my choices. I think I have done that, but more on that later.
Come back often with your input and comments. They are welcomed here at RJsCorner.
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