How to take your drawings, to the next level.

Today I want to share some very concrete experiments with you. A way for you to come into that place of flow, and having some guidelines so it feels safer to let go of control.

The first experiment is a very good way to start, you can use it if you feel a little doubtful, a little tired or not really inspired. When you do this experiment, it will make you forget time and space as you go deeper and deeper into the moment.

Lisen’t to this video, where I share my process, or read the blog post.

1) Take 5 pieces of paper, and a timer. Use all the drawing materials you like, I’am very fond of molotov markers, and then I spice it up with pencil, coal, ball pen, and whatever suits me.

2) For the first piece of paper you set the timer to 2 minutes. When the time is out, you take the next paper and set the timer to 4 minutes, and then you continue expanding with 2 minutes for each new paper, till you reach 10 minutes for the last paper.

It’s very interesting how it will free you, when you have the limited timeframe, and the fact that you shift the paper and have to start all over each time, makes your approach more fresh. It allows you to stay open, and to dare to try out new ideas, not thinking so much of the outcome.

As I said before it will take you into the present moment. It will take you out of your mind, out of doubt, self sabortage the urge to have it all planned. You will be abel to feel, maybe just for some moments this relaxed state of joy, excitement and flow. If you feel the urge, you can go on expanding with 2 minutes, as many times you wish, or you can make your own experiments if it works better for you. Maybe you want to do it quicker, so you can expand with only one minute. You could also begin with pencil, and then take a second round on the same papers, then using markers, or paint. Don’t take the experiments as another rule, just take what resonates, and play around with making your own experiments. Your own rules.

But it’s not only a great way to get into the flow, you also end up with 5 pieces of work. Some of them you might want to keep as they are, the others you can use in new works, taking them to the next level.

Be open for the things that comes to you unexpected. The things you didn’t plan. Very often it is in that we wasn’t looking for, that was what we needed.

Use the drawing that failed. Use the outcasts of the paper cuts. Use the other side of the paper. Don’t care about how it will look like. Falling on purpose. Make yourself fail. Do something that you haven’t tried before.

Don’t hang on to the good results, don’t hang on to the bad. Let it all go in every moment. Maybe it is difficult for you to really fail, because you are too good at covering it up. Let it really fail. You can’t still make it fail? Wow, then you don’t have to be so afraid. That’s the whole thing. You have to experience that you can’t fail.

Everything is perfect. When we go beyond our bonderies it’s where magic are, where we think we will fail, we will succeed.

I will explain how I used the form of my original drawing as a skabelon, not for you to do exactly the same, but to show you some tools you can use in your own process. Also it gives you an idea how to look for new ways to approach your work.

1) I started by cutting one of my quick drawings out from the first exercise. Placing it on a bigger seized paper. I wanted an equal seized form to oppose it, so I made an outline of the drawing on another paper.

2) I looked for some materials, and found an old canvas with a wonderfull sky blue paint on it. I just thought it would be so good togheter with my drawing. I used the negative paper form as a skabelon, and cut the form in the sky blue canvas. I also tried to use the backside of the canvas, but it looked too pale to me. I really like to use different materials in my drawings, it gives another rawness to the work.

In my work I like to work with contrasts and dualities, and them bind them togheter in a kind of symetry. I have the urge to create balance between the different aspects of myself. To get the differences to “speak” to each other, to get an inner dialog and acceptance between the different aspects. To focus on the form instead of the lines, is a very simpel hack. The two ways of working complements each other, as much as they opposes each other.

Hope you could use these tips. Have a lovely day.

I’am teaching in “how you can free yourself in the creative process”, go to workshops, to read about my courses and workshops. Next ones is in August 2019.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-)

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition? Feb 13, 2018
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart. Jan 8, 2018
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger. Nov 20, 2017
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about? Nov 8, 2017
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!! Oct 31, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ? Oct 12, 2017
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow. May 26, 2020
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours. May 6, 2020
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide. Apr 22, 2020
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self. Apr 18, 2020
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature. Apr 4, 2020
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective. Oct 9, 2019
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded? Sep 20, 2019
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow. Sep 10, 2019
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment. Jul 28, 2019
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control. Jul 15, 2019
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process. Jun 1, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-) Jan 2, 2019
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures. Nov 22, 2018
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process? Feb 2, 2018
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down Dec 20, 2017
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way. Dec 12, 2017
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn. Dec 5, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide. Oct 12, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-) Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation? Sep 5, 2017
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019

How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.

1) How to connect with your feelings, and feel them instead of being mental about it.

2) How it will help you to stay present in the creative process.

Take a look at my video, where you can follow my own process while you lisen’t to my experiences. Or you can just read the blog post instead.

There is another layer to the topic I talked about in my last video. “What to do if you get stocked in the creative process.”

When we begin to criticize and judge ourselves, it’s because we are too much in our heads. We don’t now how to be present with ourselves. Because it can be hurtful to embrace all our feelings.

To be free in the creative process and in life, it’s so important to be present. And to be present you must connect with your heart and body. But why is it so difficult?? and so much easier to go to the head and be mental about it. I woke up last night, and was feeling really pain. And these words came to me “ You go to your head when your heart hurts”. We want to be happy and positive, and then it’s easier to suppress all the negative emotions. But the feelings don’t go away when you try to ignore them, they stay and they build up.

So to be present with yourself, it’s about being present with everything inside of you. Also the stuff thats hurts.

What to do??

My process. here I start with painting the paper black. I always start with a white paper, but felt like doing the opposite would balance the energies.

You have to go down in the deepht of yourselves, to say hallo to that part of you which is in the dark bottom of that hole. To accept it, and get it back up. Don’t begin to analyze it, or judge if the feeling is going to be there or not, if it’s good or bad. Just feel whatever is inside of you. In the beginning it can be a little frightening, to go down there, if you are not used to confront it. And you sometimes need to stay for a while, to acknowledge these dark feelings. To be there in the darkness for your lost friend. To give comfort, and acceptance to that feeling.

When I was a child, I sometimes felt it was not okay to be sad, to be angry to be grieving. My mother said, you just put yourself togheter now, and up on that horse again. You know you will soon forget all this. But then you just put that lid on, and that feeling will not be allowed it’s space.

Sometimes it can also happen that you are too long in that dark hole with your friend. That you just fall into total hopelessness and despair, even getting totally knocked out. Maybe you don’t accept and really getting yourself the comfort you need? We can be sad and angry, but if we at the same time feel that it’s wrong to have these feelings, they won’t go away. It’s really about owning these feelings, and comfort yourself as you would to a child.

When you have tried it just once, and being abel to stay with your feelings, and drag it up in the light with you, you don’t have to stay so long each time. Imagine there is a trampoline down there, and you just can jump up and down, in a balanced movement between the light and the dark. Because we are both. We can’t just be happy and light all the time.

I think thats why we are so afraid to get down there, because we never really learned how to get up. To get up renewed and full of new energy and wholeness. Just because you allowed yourself to feel, to let yourself be you. To accept all of yourself. It’s a very small act, but it’s not easy. Instinctively we tend to escape from all that hurts. All it really takes is to sit quiet for a moment with yourself.

Marie J.Engelsvold. My process: Working with Molotow acrylic markers and paper cuts.

2) How it will help you to stay present in the creative process.

To be abel to stay present with all these feelings, it helps to release them through your creations. It helps to put them out on that paper, or any other medium you prefer. I just use the drawing as an example of an easy way to create without having to think too much about space and time and other practical things. The most important thing is to get started, to release the energy because it will help you to drag yourself out of that hole. And when you start it will develop in it’s own pace. You will by following your own guidance end up doing what will be the most beneficial way to express your uniqueness.

You can’t follow a must, a mental plan or an idea.

Marie J.Engelsvold. My process: Working with Molotow acrylic markers and paper cuts.

You can’t do it because you think you have to, you have to do it because you want to do it. But sometimes you can’t feel what you want, because you are so used to do what you have to do. Or what you think you have to do. When do you really ask yourself what you truly want from your heart?? If there was no limits?? Let your heart fly. Don’t plan it, do it and let it grow. Do just something a little thing you want to do. Then you will feel the energy, you will fell happier and it will grow in you. And it will grow out of you.

The more I dare to be in that space with my art, the more free I become. Drop the rules. Drop the limitations. It is all mental, it’s not you.

Every time you can drag yourself out of that hole, you will get more fearless. You will not be so afraid of the darkness in you, because you trust yourself to come up again every time. And not just up again being the same. No, you bring up new energy, from all the things you have accepted in yourself, and all the things you have let go of. The false notions, and limitations you have put onto yourself.

So don’t be afraid of going to your heart to feel all the hurt, the sorrow the anger and the abandonment. You have to do it, to set yourself free. To be free to express yourself, in all your true colors.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Coming out” 29,7 x 42 cm. 2019

Here is a little tip.

Take a paper, and some drawing materials, paint what ever you want.

Then just start. Don’t have any agenda. Not thinking of a result. Just

try to empty yourself out on that paper.

Fell whatever is coming up. Allow whatever is coming out.

Don’t judge if it’s good or bad, ugly or beautiful.

Just let it be raw and what it is.

Create from a non judgment place, a no critic place.

Go with your nudges.

Hope this helped you. I wish you a very nice day, a day where you allow yourself to be present with all your feelings, and say it’s okay.

I’am teaching in “how you can free yourself in the creative process”, go to workshops, to read about my courses and workshops. Next ones is in Mai 2019.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-))

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.

What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??

Do you sometimes feel stuck in your creative process?? In this video I will give you some practical tips on how you can work through this feeling of being unable to progress.

1) How working on several pieces of work can release the expectations.

2) How we need to learn to let go, in order to create.

3) Why do we meet fear in the process?

4) How to recognize your inner critic, and start a dialog.

1) How working on several pieces of work can release the expectations.

In this video, I will show my own creative process working on 4 pieces, and shifting between them.

So make a little experiment. Take 4 pieces of paper. Start as normally. When you are stock in your process, put the piece you are working on aside, and start with a fresh new paper. Now you continue on the new paper until you feel stock again. You do this at least 4 times.

As soon as you feel a little resist full, a little nervous on how to continue, you change paper.

Now you got 4 works in progress. Can you feel it? It feels freeing to not have so much pressure and expectations of the one artwork. Now go back to the first one, and continue with that, for as long time as you are inspired. Then shift again. It doesn’t have to be in order, you just continue on one of the drawings you feel most compelled to work on.

You can do this every time you feel stock in a process.

The next thing I will talk about is

My four pieces of work, which I worked on simultaneously.

2) How we need to let go, in order to create.

We have to let go of something to hold space for new things to come in. But this is one of the most difficult things. To let go or actually destroy part of our work, which we might like but doesn’t fit. Or which is very nice, but it doesn’t ressonate, it doesn’t feel right.

Sometimes this niceness is more of a barrier than the ugliness. Most of us have a tendency to making it too nice. But when we hide ourselves behind this nice work, we are not real. Many times this feeling of stockiness comes because your work is so nice, that you don’t dare to destroy it….you don’t dare to put another line on that work in case you will destroy it all. It’s this kind of feeling that it’s okay, everything is there, but it’s a little boring. But it’s when you are showing all sides of you, not hiding whats raw and what you don’t understand, that your work gets unique and real. So just do it, let it go, don’t be afraid to change your work, to make mistakes. Experiment, play, make it funny. Use the exercise I just showed you, to work more quickly and to release this anxiousness. This resistance, which is nothing but fear.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “It’s inside” 21 x 29,7 cm. Acrylic marker and paper cuts on paper. 2019

3) Why do we meet fear in the process?

Fear is a factor we meet all the time. Especially when we are expressing ourselves through art.

What you are creating is a reflection of you. You express yourself through your work. Why are we artists and creators always so vulnable around our work?? Because we are sharing from the depth of our souls. Because we have to go deep, to get to the exciting stuff. If you only express the nice things, the work will get boring. Because art is a really good channel to release some of the things inside of you, which are very difficult to put into words. In the creative process we are connecting with our deep wounds and our shadow side.

Thats why it sometimes can be so provoking to use a certain color, or material because it is triggering something inside of you.

Maybee some part of you don’t like pink, or think it’s not a proper color for your work. But another part of you, feel this urge to use this color. You know it takes much more energy to say no I am not allowed to use pink, I can’t stand that color. Do it eventhough you are afraid. I know it sounds kind of stupid, to be afraid of using a color. But I think all artists and creators know what I’am talking about. It’s only you who sets the limits of what is possible. It’s you who are putting yourself in a box, and it’s only you who can open the lid.

But sometimes everything is easier when things are “black and white”, we set up some rules for ourselves, and then we think we are safe and “know” what we are doing. But suddenly it seems impossible to do anything else. Because now we have boxed ourselves into a category, and we have put on this nice label. It’s like we sometimes feel more safe to tend to a certain believe system or organisation and we adopt everything they stand for. It can feel very safe at first, because now everything is in the right order. Now we have someone or something outside of us, to tell us what is right and what is wrong. But in reality we are actually afraid of chaos, we are afraid of the dualities in ourselves, the diversity. The things we don’t want to face in ourselves? The many shades and facets of our selves.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “no fear” 29,7 x 21 cm. Acrylic marker, pencil and paper cuts on paper. 2019

The same goes for our art. Don’t be afraid to show all the shades inside of you. I have a funny example from my own process. Sometimes I go for a long time and want to use a certain technic, a new material or a color. But I can’t do it eventhough I want to, I feel this resistant in my body. For as long as I have been working with art, I didn’t use purple.I just didn’t like it. But last year suddenly I just was ready for purple, and it just poured out of me. It’s a very strong color, I see that, and it has a history of both being very royal, a color for the elite for the aristocrats for the church. But on the other hand it’s also associated with being some kind of a hippie, very laid back and all about new age and being very alternative. So the color is not for the weak, you have to say something with purple. Thats just my own interpretation.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Trophy of self love” & “Revealing my new self”. 100 x 70 cm. Acrylic paint on paper. 2018.

But this resistant is nothing but fear, fear of showing a certain part of yourself, fear that nobody will recognize your “style” anymore. But you can’t run from yourself. You can change style as you like it, but you can’t change that you did it. I have changed my expression so many times, and sometimes I think nobody will think I did this. But very often people who knows your art can recognizing your signature. And you think you made an enormous shift when you shifted from using a acrylic marker to a brush with paint. For most of us it’s hard to change, and when we change something we think everybody will notice. So just do it, it’s not dangerous and it’s still you who did it.

Experiment. “The garbage bin”

1) Try to let the things you are afraid of out. Afterwards it’s easier. Do it on another paper. Take a paper and let everything out on that. Use it as a kind of garbage bin. Every time you are afraid of doing something on the piece you are working on, do it on the “bin paper” It’s actually freeing, and sometimes the bin works turns out really powerfull

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Covered in a kind of me” 29,7 x 21 cm. Acrylic marker and paper cuts on paper. 2019

4) How to recognize your inner critic.

It’s interesting to dig a little deeper into our own fear pattern. We can call it the inner critic. When you have more clarity on what triggers you, it’s so much easier to look that fear in the eyes, and work through it. When you let the fear out on the paper, or in other creations it will not be so mean.

Have a notebook at your side, while you are creating. Write down every time you hear that inner critic whisper something in your ear. What does the fear say to you? It’s a really good idea to talk with the inner critic in words, because it tends to be mental. Many times the inner critic comes from our parents and our teachers from school, all the thing we have learned about right and wrong and good and bad. Eventually it turns inward, and we think it is our own thoughts. Another funny thing is if we believe in what the inner critic has to say, we tend to meet persons in the outer world who reflects these things about us, back to us. But most of all it hold us back, and the inner critic is not you.

Here are some examples from my experience:

1) You don’t master that technic.

2) It’s not good enough.

3) It’s not interesting enough.

4) It’s a waste of time

5) No one needs your art

6) You didn’t attend the right art school

7) You are not a real artist

8) You are a failure

9) People don’t like your art.

Now try to give an answer to that fear, to that critic voice inside of you.

1) No, maybe I don’t do it the “right” way after some official rules. But I do it my way, I’am a creator and everyway I decide on is the right way. Do you get nervous when I don’t follow other peoples rules?? You don’t have to be afraid, I know what I’am doing.

(If you feel that the critic voice are right, because sometimes we might be benefitting in taking a course in a certain technic, because it will help us to express ourself in a better way. Of course don’t hesitate on learning something new. Just be aware that you don’t do it out of fear, but out of a feeling of expansion, and curiosity and positivity.)

2) Well, it is actually good enough for me. I accept this artwork, it’s just perfect the way it is. I felt so much joy and excitement doing this. I discovered so much in this process.If you don’t find it good enough, it’s okay with me, I don’t have to please other people with my art.

3) Okay. And what is interesting?? Something you read in a book?? Do I have to write 2 pieces of paper abothis artwork?? I think it’s interesting because I have put myself into it. I think actually I’am interesting enough.

4) This is the best way I know to waste my time. Totally absorbed in my work. Using all of me to create in the moment.

Is it because you are afraid I don’t earn enough money on it?? You know what, I’am making space in my life for what is most important for me. I’am not waiting to live my life until I go on pension. I don’t have a boring daytime job, dreaming about making art. I do it now. This is my life.

5) Well, I have many good examples of people who has been very positive around my work, that they actually felt the same playfulness and joy as I felt while creating it. They can feel the vulnerability and the sadness too. I have had many good and deep talks with people about my work. Also the fact that how it is to live like an artist, to do what you feel compelled to do. To show up with yourself and your work in all it’s aspects. I think we need art as a reminder of all the things that are not material or practical, but is essential. We need to feel interconnected and share feelings to feel alive. Thats important.

6) No, I didn’t study at an art academy. I went to Graphic design school. But I knew all along I wanted to make art, but I didn’t dare to go to that art school. But now years later, I can see that it’s easier to remain free when you have not learned all the right codes in the art world. Because you don’t become an artist just because you go to the right school. You become an artist because you do art as a praxis.Because you are committed.For me to make art is most of all about unlearning, to get to the core of whats me. To free myself of all the right ways. Because I’am good enough.

Can you see what I’am talking about. Get to know your fear. Discuss a little. Have a dialog. So next time you hear that fearful whisper, stop it. Don’t allow it to sabotage you.

Hope you could use this information. Have a very nice day, in a way so it’s not only nice, but a day where you can feel free to be you.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-))

Donate

• psycological aspects 25
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• Turtorials and tips 12
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• video 7
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
• turtorials 1
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.

Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.

Not expecting anything. Not wanting any specific result. Not waiting to arrive to a certain destination. You know very often we say, when I have done this and this, then I will just have fun. We think that we have to deserve it. First work and then play. We have learned to struggle and to fight our ways through life. To be strong. To tame ourselves. We make “to do” lists. We have so may goals. But what when we get there? Is it worth it? I think to be present in the creative process, is a kind of learning how to live moment to moment. To learn to be in peace and harmony with yourself, eventhough your outer circumstances is chaotic. Allowing yourself to be you. That all about you is okay. That is your reward. That is your freedom.  

Sculpture experiments, from my own process.

Yesterday I had a day in my studio, where I didn’t come to any solutions. I played around with a sculpture the whole day, but it didn’t fall into place. It didn’t click. I’am learning all the time, and normally I would be a little unsatisfied with myself. But yesterday I was so happy on my way home. Because I had really had fun,  and I had this knowing that everything will fall into place. The energy from the day was still in my body the whole evening. 

The feeling of flow comes when what you are doing, is in harmony with where you are.

So I’am learning to enjoy the yourney, to relax in knowing that I can create more courageous, if I don’t fix my mind on a specific goal.

But I think the reason why we resist the moment, resist o be present, is that it triggers all our emotions. Because to be in the process is not just bliss all the time, you will meet all parts of yourself.

How do you forget the result ??

When we think of a result, it is often a mental picture of what we want. So instead of the mental picture, go for the flow feeling instead. The feeling of flow comes when what you are doing, is in harmony with where you are. For example, if you are sad, use that feeling and express it, instead of suppressing it, because you think you have to be happy. Every time you suppress an emotion, it builds up, and it takes a lot of energy. If you keep suppressing these more negative emotions you will eventually run out of space. Your body will be full. All the emotions will come to the surface, and you might get a serious breakdown. So release the feelings instead, allow them to be felt, express them in your art. Soon you will feel relieved because you are getting in touch with new aspects of yourself. Relieved because you have more energy, and more space inside of you..

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Don’t resist the moment.” Acrylics, pencil and paper cuts on paper. 30 x 30 cm. 2019

How do we go from the expectation to the dream ??

So one of the biggest challenges is to let go of the expectations of the result. If we always have a goal in mind, it is as if we are starting to hurry, and we reject everything that does not look like something that can lead to our goals.

Often the inner critic begins to beat us up. We begin to sabotage ourselves. It is not good enough. We try again and again, to get to the desired result but we fail. Sometimes we actually succeeds, and the result is satisfying. But often we have to cross both arms and teeth to get there. We can also have learned a lot of techniques, so everything we do looks okay, it is actually really nice and tidy and people like what we do. But you may not be completely happy, and you are dreaming of something else.

The dream you feel, is not the expectation. The expectation is that mental picture you have of yourself, that you have to feel and be a certain way. The mental picture of your outcome. The expectations will always get disappointed, and you begin to judge yourself if it is not met. So drop that mental picture, The dream cannot die. The dream is the one you think is unrealistic, the one that can't be done. The one who is only possible if you had lots of time and money and courage. But it is the dream that makes your heart beat, the dream that gives your life direction, and the dream which nourishes the flame in your passion. But how do we go from the expectation to the dream ??  It's a bit like the same mechanism as when we switch from the left side to the right side of the brain. And the harmony when we get all our parts to play together. I'm talking about the same thing, just in different ways. Because we constantly run into the same problems, but because the situation changes, we do not see it.

In the creative processes, you meet yourself head on.

The first thing you have to do is forget the result, go into the process, be present in the process and don't think about the end result. The dream is now, it’s not a destination. If you build a lot of expectations around the dream, the dream cannot come into your present reality. The dream is not a picture, it’s alive. That  is what is the adventure, to enter into the unknown.

These are the same mechanisms as in your life, if you are afraid of the unknown (and we are all to a lesser extent), then you cannot be present in your life. So that's why I say that in the creative processes, you meet yourself head on. And if you dare to go into the eye of the storm, you can free yourself from your limitations and learn to accept and love yourself in your wholeness. Without cutting pieces of yourself out.  This is also why we have such a hard time being present in the process, and accepting our own self-expression because we meet ourselves all the time. And we all have parts we don't like and don't accept.  So the expectation of the result is also the expectation of yourself.

When you expect things from yourself and other people, you also judge if your expectations is not met. If you judge yourself, you tell yourself that you are not good enough. You do not accept yourself as you are, but only as the image of how you want yourself to be.

Release the expectations on how to get there, and surrender to the journey.

So when I say, go into the process and forget about the result, it sounds very easy. But it's not easy, it's really challenging for most of us. And so, it is something you learn gradually.

I, myself have been a visual artist for 20 years, and of course I also love to be in the process when I am in flow. And I think that is why I became an artist. When I was very young, I discovered that I could disappear from the world and go into my own dream. I could come in a state of true presence and joy. That is the flow. Forgetting time and place, being fully present in what you do. That is the price. And then you have arrived. When you live the dream, the dream is all there. Allow yourself to dream big, and allow yourself to trust it. But the dream becomes reality only when you follow your inner voice and allow yourself to rely on the process.

 You still can't figure out how to get there ?? Take the first step, and that is your creative passion. You must turn on the spark, before you can burn. Release the expectations on how to get there, and surrender to the journey. And if your dream is more time to be creative and express yourself, take that time. Start with what you can today, and then expand slowly.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-))

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.

Why are we so hard on ourselves?

Why do we keep sabotaging ourselves?? Why is it never good enough?? How do we allow instead of forcing our artwork into a certain direction? Being open to all possibilities?

When I’am in a creative process I’am very aware of how I’am talking to myself, when do I start to judge, compare, being afraid of how it will turn out? Most of us have learned that we have to make a plan, have an idea and know what we are doing. That we have to face certain expectations of ourselves, and what we think others are expecting of us. When we start to criticize ourselves, and our artwork, it all goes down. We feel stuck, and we feel drained. We sometimes keep beating ourselves up, till we maybe drop all our creative projects. If you don’t feel good enough, your artwork will never be good enough. Eventhough your are very skillfull, it will never be good enough. Eventhough other people thinks it’s just amazing, it will never be good enough for you. So why not start to be a little kinder to yourself. ? Start to allow, instead of following a lot of rules and expectations you have been setting up for yourself. You see the creative process is not about following a mental regime, it’s not about going from A to G, in a linear motion. It’s about being open, being vulnerable being raw and honest. It’s about following your own guidance, trusting yourself, allowing yourself to have fun, to be curious, to play. Do it because you think it matters, because you matters. Because you can’t truly express anything which is not felt and experienced.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Let it flow” Acrylics, pencil and paper cuts on paper. 2019

You are valid, whatever feelings comes up in the process is valid, is okay. It’s not all roses and butterflies, it’s about being real, being you and showing that to the world. To express it all in your work.

So why are we so hard on ourselves? I think most of us have learned through being criticized. And we have learned that to get love, we have to meet certain expectations. We have to be nice and succesfull. Doing what other people expects of us. And as grown ups these expectations have turned inwards, and it’s all about what we expect of ourselves. So it’s also about deprogramming ourselves, about unlearning, about not to follow others rules.

How can you shift from the logic mind to the “mind- heart”? Here are 4 tips.

1: Create an relaxed atmosphere around the work. Make an appointment with yourself, set the time aside. And don’t put a lot of expectations around yourself. This time is for you. This time is not another thing on your to do list. It’s time to have fun. It’s time to investigate, and let all of you out to play.

2: Start with an experiment, for how long can you create without starting to criticize yourself?? Observe your own mind, write it down every time you catch yourself. Reflect on what you can say to yourself instead??

3: Try to center yourself in your body instead of the head. Connect with the body, and use it as a compass. If you are feeling restless, well it’s time to move around. Take a break.

4: Who has told us we have to be active and productive all the time?? To be nicer to yourself you have to honor your need for breaks. Better to work concentrated for a shorter amount of time, than to work and work till you are totally drained. You have to fill yourself up.

Hope this helped you. Have a very nice day.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-))

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.

There is no "right" way.

I call my Blog "Free yourself through art making", because the connection with your own person, your own inner voice is the most important thing in the creative process. You have to give something of yourself, to make the artwork alive. First of all, there are no correct ways of drawing. Don't be bothered if you have no technical skills. Look at children drawings, most professional artists love the creations of children. Why? because they don't censor themselves, because they haven't learned the "right" way. Begin to draw intuitively, and see what happens. Is it mostly abstract forms? or do you draw something figurative? 

What attracts you in other artists work? Do you enjoy artwork which is very precise and detailed? or do you prefer something simple and bold? Do you like to draw from memory, or capture a dream? Do you mostly like patterns, in all forms? Or maybe you  like to observe and draw things from your surroundings? Maybe you like a combination of different technics, mixing abstract and figurative forms? Every way is the best way, as long as it is working for you. The most important thing is to start listening to your own inner guidance. What do you like? What do you want to express? What is important for you? 

If you really like to master a certain skill, you could take a drawing lesson. It's important to follow your urges. But before you sign up, try to do it your own way. If you want to draw faces, try to draw all kinds of faces, look at photos, other artists work or childrens drawings.

I have a collection of drawings I like at Pinterest, take a look if you need some inspiration. Very often your own way is the most charming way, and the "right" way can be the wrong way. I see a lot of technical skilled drawings, that can be very nice and decorative, but seems a little boring to me. The best drawings are the ones which shows the artists personality, and uniqueness.

Be sure, the technical skills that you need to express your self, will follow along if you are consistent in the drawing process, and enjoys it. 

I prefer to work abstract, but it has not always been that way. In many years I worked with both abstract and figurative elements. Now I like to explore mostly abstract forms. But I'am also inspired by figurative elements and you might see a hint of a staircase or a table in my drawings. Read this blogpost for more inspiration: "Find inspiration everywhere" I also love sculptures and installations, I have a board on Pinterest, I call sculptures and installations I like, here I have a huge collection. Take a look:-)

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.

What is your drawings all about?

It can be challenging to make sense of an intuitive drawing, because it is made in connection with your feelings and inner space.
 (see my blogpost, let your feelings be your guide).

I like to sit for a while when a drawing is done, looking at the drawing. I just look, and at the same time feeling my body, feeling sensations, emotions. Very often I only have to wait a couple of minutes before some words begin to pop up. I write them down. And immediately I start to formulate a title. For me it's important to do this mindwork right after the drawing is done, while I'am still in the process. The drawing is a visual of my inner state, right at that moment. If I put on a title days or weeks after, it tend to be not so accurate.

When you have done around 10-20 drawings with titles, you can look at all the titles, and see if you can formulate a little text on base of that. In that way you will slowly get a pattern, of what you are working around. Every time you have a pile of drawings. Could be every month if you make a drawing a day, and it's not unrealistic. (You can be quite depended on your daily drawing time.:-) Try to formulate a little text. It's very rewarding to explain your drawings in words, actually that process can also generate new ideas.

In the beginning, my drawings didn't have a title. I wanted the viewer to make their own interpretations. But one day I had a talk with another artist about the issue, and I suddenly realized that my work was totally unapproachable to the viewer.

I actually had a lot of thoughts about what I tried to express. Immediately I started to write about my process. I guess I was ashamed of discussing my work, because it was so personal. All my drawings is about feelings and thoughts that I rarely speak of, and are barely aware of. Complex mixtures of all kinds of contradictory sensations that is hard to explain in words. 

And I realized that I didn't have to write a novel, but just to give a few words to help the viewer, and myself sharing my inner world. Sometimes I even incorporate the title into the drawing, like I have done in this drawing. 

Marie J.Engelsvold “Try to flow with life”, Acrylic tusch on paper. 42 x 29,7 cm./11,8 x 16,5 inches. 2014

I hope to inspire you to create in an authentic way,  getting in contact with feelings which might have been buried inside, letting it out on paper to have it released and integrated...and at the same time making some fantastic and unique artworks.

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.

Experiment with shapes and lines.

If you take a look at a drawings elements, it basically consists of lines and shapes. Do you mostly use lines or shapes in your own drawings? Maybe a combination of the two? It's important to be aware of what elements you use. Shapes can create denseness in the drawings, and with lines you create movement and details.

Look at this article on "How to Be an Artist, According to Wassily Kandinsky"  

"Kandinsky experimented with compositions populated by lines, simple geometric shapes, and the energized points where they met or overlapped. "

No matter how you normally draw, it can be very rewarding to go back to basic. Using very simpel elements. In this little exersice, you will only use abstract shapes and lines. Try to avoid recognizable elements, concentrate on the composition.

Materials: paper, glue, scissor, cardboard, colored paper, some tools you like to make lines.

• Cut some shapes, from cardboard or colored paper. place them on a piece of paper. Play around, and when you like it, glue them on.

• Now draw some lines on the same paper. Make a lot of these compositions, using only shapes and lines.

• When you have 10 compositions. Choose one you like the most. Now use this one, as a starting point for 10 more compositions.

• Think of how many ways you can variate the drawing. What happens if you take one of the shapes, making it much larger? Change one of the shapes from geometric to rounded? Making a lot of lines and only small shapes? Experiment with the possibilities, and see what happens. Eventhough your starting point was only a few shapes and lines, very soon you will learn how many ways you can go with theese elements.

In my pinterest collection I have a board called drawings I like. Take a look, and see how many different ways you can work with lines and shapes. If you like, take a look at some of my drawings here at my website. When I look at my own drawings,  I see a lot of shapes, lines and textures that I tend to use. Shapes and lines I feel more attracted to than others. It's like the letters in my  visual language. Are you aware of the shapes and lines you are using?  

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.