How to stay in the process?

How are you doing? Have you started your drawing praxis? Maybee you are having some setbacks? I guess I have said it before, how important it is to be present in the creative process, but it can be difficult. Eventhough you have been creating for a long time, their can be times where it is a challenge to create. But what does it actually mean to be in the process, and what is the different stages?? What can stop the creative flow, and what to do when it happens.?

**"Aleration of structure" Acrylic tusch, pencil, and paper cuts on paper. 84 x 42 cm. 2015.**

Very often it is a conflict between control, and the urge to let go and play. The best way is to make room for both. I think it's very important to start with playing and experimenting, to totally let go of controlling your drawing. When you feel you can't go further, you look at your drawing, and take a conscious choice of what to do next. Try not to do the same every time, but stay focused and see where the drawing want you to go. Stay open, don't try to finish it yet.

Here an example of a creative process:

You start, and everything flow for a while.
You stop because you don't know what to do next, you like some parts of your drawing, but don't like other parts.
Now take a quick look. Lisent to your first impuls on how to continue.
Continue the process, until you can't go further.
Sometimes the drawing just works itself out, without any disruptions or second thoughts. But very often, you reach a point where you get stuck.
Now you can do two things, you can either put it aside and start a new one, or stop and reflect on how to continue. (of course there a millions possibillities, and not just two. But for now, I want to make it easy for you to make a choice)
If you want to stay in the creative flow, just make new ones every time you can't get further. Remember you can always come back to them later.
Another option, is to stop the flow, and take a deep look at your drawing. Now you make a conscious choice on how to continue. What to do?? Take time to look at your drawing, and just listen to what comes up. You can look at this blog post for ideas Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
Now continue with creating.

**"Potentials inside mental tent" Acrylic tusch on paper. 42 x 29,7 cm. 2015.**

This is just an example, but what I want to point out is, that it's totally okay to loose that flow feeling. The obstacles are an essential part of being in the process. The crucial thing is to continue, to raise above these setbacks, and enjoy them. Just accept the whole process, and you will open up to new possibilities again and again.

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.

Source: www.mariejengelsvold.me

Slow down

Now we are very soon reaching the holidays, and it's time to slow down. You might spend a lot of time with your family and friends, but try to make some room for creating as well. Time to draw and reconnect with yourself. To draw in realignment with your inner space is a kind of spiritual praxis. You will see that when you invest some time to be present with yourself, you will be more present with your family as well.

**Marie J.Engelsvold. “My inner christmas tree” Acrylic tusch and papercuts on paper. 29,7 x 21 cm. 2014**

You need to slow down to be abel to lisent to your inner voice, to be abel to create without bothering of the result. To create just for the pure bliss of creating. In our society very often we have learned to use the time wisely, to be effective and productive. We have learned that when we use time on something it should be payable. Forget all this. To create is not a waste of time, it's investing in your inner self. It's about coming into deeper connecting with who you are, and what is important for you. You might discover new aspects of yourself, feelings that you have been hiding for yourself and others. It's actually the best way to spend your time, because when you get realigned with your authensiticity, everything will fall into place.

I have experienced that the way I create, have a lot to do of how I'am living my day to day life.

When I'am fearless in my creative process, when I'am feeling free and enjoy myself, it will change how I'am feeling in my other activities throughout the day. I will be more present with my family, more observant of the moments, and the small things. I also experience that when I'am slowing down, my life is not falling apart. Actually my life improves, and everything falls into the right place.

Try to make a space for yourself, where you can create. Read my earlier blogposts "Express your feelings" and "Want to find your own visual language ?", for ideas on how you can do it.

**Marie J.Engelsvold. “Looking inside this mental tent” Acrylic tusch on paper. 42 x 29,7 cm. 2014**

If you are not abel to create, because you are visiting family and friends, have a little notebook in your bag. Now try to check in to your feelings at least two times a day.

Just sit for a moment and feel your body, observe your thoughts. Write everything down, no matter how stupid it is. This is also a very good exercise in being present. Just say to yourself it's okay to be here, it's okay to feel what I'am feeling. I don't have to do anything else than being me.

Have a very nice holiday :-)

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.

Source: www.mariejengelsvold.me

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.

Source: www.mariejengelsvold.me

Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!

You have been drawing for hours, but the drawing doesn't feel right. You are quite frustrated, but before you just scream, and curl the paper togehter, throwing it in the garbage bin, wait a minute:-) Take a deep breath, maybe a cup of coffee, stretch your legs, jump a little, talk with somebody.

After this little break, return to your drawing, and have another look. Take a deep breath again. Now ask yourself what you like about your drawing, and what you don't like. How could you change it now, when it's almost done? Is it only a small correction or do you need to do some serious redesigning? If you can't come up with anything now, take a look at my list. "Before you throw your drawing in the bin"

Marie J.Engelsvold. "Balancing" 42 x 84 cm. 2015This drawing. "Balancing", is an exampel of how I had made a drawing that just didn't resonated with me, and made it into something completely new. The diamond shape in the middle was the failed drawin… — Marie J.Engelsvold. "Balancing" 42 x 84 cm. 2015
This drawing. "Balancing", is an exampel of how I had made a drawing that just didn't resonated with me, and made it into something completely new. The diamond shape in the middle was the failed drawing, I placed it on a quite huge paper, and it progressed in a way that was completely unexpected.

Before you throw your drawing in the bin:

Take another element and place it, so it will cover the area you don't like. You can use a white acrylic marker or a white piece of paper. If you want color, use a colored piece of paper, or a colored acrylic marker. Of course you can use whatever tool you like, as long as it cover up the problem area.

Cut out the element/elements you like, and place it on another paper. If you need more space, choose a bigger paper. You can now use it as it is, or you can continue to work with this new setup.

If you only use pencil or pen, spice it up by using another tool. You can use watercolor, acrylic markers, chalk, or goauche. Try out different tools, turn your failed drawing into an experiment. It can be much easier to expand your limits and try something new on a piece of paper that's not completely blank. And the experiment might turn into something unexpected and interesting. (If you use gouache, or watercolor it's important that your paper is thick quality paper at least 220 gram.)

If you just can't make it work, take some white gouache or white acrylic marker, and make a thin layer which cover it all up. Now you have a new surface, where you can still have a glimpse of the old drawing. On top of that you can create something new, while keeping the history of the process, which gives a nice layer effect. (If you use gouache, or watercolor it's important that your paper is thick quality paper at least 220 gram.)

Another radical solution is to cut it all up in pieces. use them as mosaic elements on another drawing, or place them in a box with pieces of paper, you never know when you will need it.

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.

Source: www.mariejengelsvold.me

Want to find your own visual language ?

What is a visual language? You know, when you look at an artwork, and immidiately recognizing the artist? That is because it's an artwork, with a strong personal signature.

The visual language is the way you compose your artwork, the use of colors and shapes. How hard you press the pencil against the paper. Do you like a lot of details? or do you prefer big simpel shapes? All the elements in your drawings, are like the letters in an alphabet. When you have found your visual alphabet, there are endless possibilities on how to combine the elements, so don't think that you have to draw the same all the time. The way you combine the elements (letters in your visual alphabet) is the language. Actually one of the signs that you have found your own language, is that it allows you to dig deeper. Because your are narrowing down the spand of options, according to choice. And the deeper you go, the more you go into details, the more you will be open to the possibilities in the process. Another important thing to be aware of, if you want to attain your own unique signature, is to connect with your feelings. To create artwork which have a true voice. To create out of a need, to express something which is important to you. In my blog "Drawings from within," this will be my main focus. At the same time it will ressonate with all parts of you, and have a truly unique and authentic quality. You only find your visual language through praxis, create everyday or as often as possible, and you will slowly find your own unique expression.

**Marie J.Engelsvold. “Transformation of system” Acrylic tusch and papercuts on paper. 29,7 x 21 cm. 2015**

How to start?

1: Find your tools. Which kind of tools do you like??

I prefer acrylic markers (molotow) as my main tool, but like to combine them with more or less anything else:-), pencils, papercuts, watercoulour, textiles, yarn.....When I talk about drawings, I’am very broad in my definition, it could be anything on paper, actually.
Get your hands on a lot of different tools, and try them out. Or look at drawings you like, which tools are used? Maybee you want to combine different kinds of tools.? Like pencil togheter with crayons, or watercolor in combination with chalks?? Goache, color pencils and pen?? Or maybee just a pen in red??
As a start I will suggest you draw on relatively thick paper, like 220 gram. In that way you can keep on working, whitout everything falls into pieces.

Find a space

What I love most about drawing is how easy it is to find the time and space.

First of all you don’t need a big space, a studio or a lot of free time. You can begin to draw eventhough you have a full time job. In the beginning you can use a sketchbook, of quality paper.

The best option is to find a time in the day or evening, where you can be alone, somewhere with a table and a good workchair. If that’s not possible – you can use your transport time plugging some relaxing music in your ears to create a private space.
Another option is to go out in nature, a park, by the sea, your garden …or another outdoor place you like, and where you can sit by your self.

Use at least ½ an hour, 1 hour is better….or if possible longer spand of time. It’s not nice to have to look at your watch all the time, which gives a lot of tension and stress.

Spend some time to relax before you start, feel your body, take a deep breeth. And just think about having a joyful relaxing time for yourself. Look at this as a kind of meditation, where you are creating at the same time.

Try to find some time for drawing every day, it will make you more committed, and you will amaze yourself with your own progress, making it evenmore worthfull and fulfilling.

So why not start today?:-)