When drawing, do you think you see very clearly in your mind what your going to draw?

Question

Supposing it's an original creation from you. Do you have a clear image in you head before you plot it?

Answer 1

No, not really. Sometimes I'll really be in a drawing mood, I'll sit down with paper and a pencil and then something just comes to me. Unless of course i'm drawing from something, but that is not what you asked. I never really have any idea of what I'm doing, it's all very spontaneous. Yes, all of my jewelry designs for work are basically just improvised or I find something out of my doodles.

Answer 2

I don't have the image in my head as much as I project it on to the paper. I have a pretty good feel for how it will turn out, so I can just about trace, with my pencil or whatever over the image I "see" already there.

I have to add that this skill wouldn't come if I didn't spend a LOT of time sketching from life, and collecting a HUGE morgue of images. It is now developed to a point that when someone askes me to draw a horse, I can ask "What kind of horse?" My mind can make a clear distinction between a thoroghbred race horse and the features of a plowhorse, or a cow pony, etc. From memory, I can make a pretty good approximation of different breeds of dogs, the differences between a moose and an elk, various types of trees, landscapes, human ethnic features.

I can do this with quick sketches, but, for a paying assignment, I WILL do a lot of research, consult my morgue, go online and draw from life.

Answer 3

Hey Bernie. I draw because I really like details in an image. I create drawings where you don't see everything on the first examination. I do old cars in a field, a cabin next to a lake, things like that. The details are small engine parts in the grass with the old cars. Or the spring traps on the outside wall of the cabin - the screws clearly defined in the door hinges. Things like that. That's why I don't paint. I don't look at a landscape for color, I look for details. All this lays down the foundation to answer your question. No.......I do not have a preconceived image in my mind of what I'm about to draw. I have an idea, i.e. the cabin by the lake, and that's it. I just wing it the rest of the way. I plot out where things are going to be, takes about 15 minutes. Then spend 10 to 20 hours putting in the details. Good luck and good question.

Answer 4

Sometimes.

It sounds like BS but it's the truth. There have been times when I've had a full image and went for it then there were other times when I'd get an idea for something that wasn't complete, something that I know could be used eventually in either something bigger or for some other project or reworked into something bigger..

There have also been times when the original idea seemed like a good idea at the time only to put it on paper to find out it's a real turd. But even in this case most times I've been able to revamp and use it. Sometimes it just takes tweaking to make something ho hum into something cool.

When things go great from the idea to the finished piece there's really no other feeling like it. It's funny because there have been times that things have gone so smooth that you almost wait for something to screw up and not work out.

Answer 5

Depends, man... wether your a VISUAL type of person or others (Auditory, Kynestetic, or combinations)... if you're a visual person it's way more easy to draw with only imagining something... this offcourse came with good exercise and experiences, right! To decide what kind of person are you just notice these simple behaviours: If you're a visual type of person (notice this on a daily conversation): you will use eyes instead of leaning your ear to hear your friend's words, or you're more attracted to visual things such as: easily tempted by what you SEE. If you're an Auditory person (on a daily conversation): You will lean your ear to hear what your friend is saying, and less eye contact (same behaviour when wathcing television or news), easily understand what others saying, prefer audible explanation when study or do something. If you're a Kynestethic: You are a sensitive person, easily touched on your feeling, always judge something by heart, sensitive on physical part. Well, thats it... decide what type of person you are then learn the best suit technique to draw the best you can come out with!

Answer 6

Ha, this is what my art teachers have stressed as being so crucial; however, when I make an effort to map it out prior to drawing, I get caught up in the technicalities and details too soon. I just prefer to imagine a feeling I want to convey, and then act on it however it should come out.

Answer 7

Sometimes. Other times the image comes slowly.

Answer 8

I start with a clear image, but in the end, the painting or sculpture takes my hand in it's hand and produces what the piece should be.

Answer 9

most of the time yes, but sometimes you need inspiration from somethings you see around you to motivate your mind. i am an artist and a student studying architecture.
i know what you mean.

Answer 10

Yes, but it turns out a bit different then I Imagined, for the better of course :p