My name is Thomas, and i thought that it might be a good time to finally sit down and write this “About me” page.
I started drawing every day the 9th September 2014 – I have long admired people who master the art of drawing, and I’ve made efforts time and again to finally learn it – but i never got to a point where i was confident or satisfied with my skills, and in my frustration, I just stopped – and the little i had learned got stale.
But now I’ve created this blog! It’s called OneDrawingDaily, because I have challenged myself to do one drawing daily (duh) – my idea is, that even on lousy, lazy, hard, stressed or hopeless days, i would do a drawing – even if it be a stick-figure – the continuity would be my motivator – but as it turns out, posting my drawings online has been an even bigger motivator, and i have rarely just posted one drawing in a day.
So one drawing each day until… ?
I haven’t told you what i do – I’m an architecture student. Architecture is a creative field. It has it’s rational sides, and then it has a great deal of artistic, aestetic and filosofic aspects. I do well in most of these areas, but when it comes to getting the idea down on paper (which is much much much better than the computer) – I’m unable.
In one year – if everything goes according to my plan – I’ll be an architect – so my initial idea was – draw every day for 365 days – and then.. Well..
But why stop there?
I love drawing, painting getting my hands messy and experimenting with stuff – and it goes without saying that i love creating. I’d like to make art a part of my everyday life – and i want to put down a goal that is bold. Are you ready? Here it comes:
I want to expose my art after having drawn daily for two years.
The 9th September 2016, the doors will open to my art exposition – I don’t know where it’ll be (but i hope to travel to get there) and i certaintly don’t know what to expose.. First I have to learn the craft, then the art – and then who knows!
So I’m very excited about hearing peoples suggestions and comments!
Update the 8th October 2015: I’ve been drawing almost every day for over a year now, and have now started doing commission drawings in pen and watercolor. I invite everyone to come see my new site where I offer custom pet portraits – go have a look – even if you’re not in a marked for a drawing of your cat or dog !
Commendable! A daily drawing or painting is hard to do…. BTW I have an architect friend who did one of his designs for his degree as a rather wild painting – stormy weather. There must have also been the ‘proper’ drawings but it was certainly an ‘artist’s impression’! (He’s a successful architect many, many years later!) Go for it!
Thank you very much ! I love the idea of combining the two!
Good idea to just draw one thing a day – it’s putting the 1000 hours theory into practice. David Hockney had sketchbooks in his show at the RA and he just draws anything – pair of shoes,teapot,dog anything! Good Luck
thanks!
I nominate you for the Liebster award. Take a look:
http://79nexus.wordpress.com/2014/10/16/liebster-award/
Thank you so much! I’m a little occupied these days, but i’ll definetly get back to you and carry out this thing !
I am basically a cartoonist (which probably disqualifies me from giving art advice) but I have to say you really don’t need advice. The practice regimen that you have set out for yourself is going to make you better at drawing. You already select a varied and eccentric set of subjects. You try out new techniques. I don’t see how you can fail. And just being alive is art. (Like I said, being a cartoonist means you don’t really know anything about art).
I can’t see why being a cartoonish would disqualify you as an artist! – on the contrary, i think that to challenge the norms, dogmas and traditions of the “art-world”, is one of its biggest qualities. Thank you so much for your comment ! I value all comments that i can get!
Being a cartoonist means you know ALL about art! It’s a great skill that many don’t possess! And I love your sound advice. Great for all artists! 🙂
“i thought that it might be a good time to finally sit down and write this “About me” page.” )) ha-ha – sounds familiar –
well done! It’s always interesting to know who is behind the scene))
If it’s any encouragement (or consolation) to you, Van Gogh couldn’t even draw a chair in perspective when he started out. He did the same thing you’re doing, just kept drawing until he “got it”. Great plan–it should definitely work out for you!
Thanks for your comment – and it helps, when thinking about Van Gogh taking a similar journey !
Thomas, your one drawing daily challenge is so impressive! And love the spontaneous linework! All the very best 🙂
Thank you so much!
Great goals, Thomas!
Thanks!
This is so cool, Thomas. It is very hard to commit to drawing everyday, and very brave to put it out into the world for others to see. I wish you the best of luck. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Your work is really something. I can feel the feel with which you’ve created those pieces. I’m bit of an artist myself and I know the thing about art. It speaks more than words do. Keep speaking ART with your HEART!
Thanks, I will !
Great start, Thomas!
Thanks!
What a wonderful idea. I look forward to seeing you move forward with each new sketch. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thank you for the like! Keep on practicing and you’ll definitely get better and better! 🙂
artandfinance.net
Thanks!
Thanks for liking my drawing The Way Back. One drawing a day is a great idea. Because of the intricacy of my drawings I can’t do one drawing a day but I try to draw every day. For 20 minutes, which always turns into hours. I wish you the best.
I’m so glad to read your ‘About’ page Thomas and to discover that you are soon to become an architect. I love architecture and am in awe of the work architects do – not to mention the way they work. Interestingly, my favourite architects also produce some of my favourite drawings and paintings. I love drawings and wire constructions of Gaudi but recently discovered the drawings and paintings of Le Corbusier and the astounding Zaha Hadid – what a woman and what an artist! I love your blog and I think that drawing will only add to your depth and strengths as an architect. Keep posting!!! 🙂
Thank you very much! I’m fully convinced that drawing can be a great tool in architecture, but it gets less and less common for architects to use drawing actively in the proces of designing. All the great architects of history were skilled artists too, though. I think that that alone proves that there is an important connection between the two fields – the world is moving fast, and everything is about effectivity and money, but it could suit todays architects well to be able to step back and view things from another perspective. Architecture is an artform. If there is no artistic thought behind a construction, it is not architecture, but just a building. Thanks for your comment!
I love this idea, man. Don’t stop drawing!
Best of luck with it man. I look forward to exhibition in 2016, 🙂
Thanks! Me too – and thanks for checking out my blog! Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks for liking my stuff! Have to say you’re very brave giving yourself such a huge challenge. I chickened out and gave myself a week to draw one thing. Keep at it!
Thomas, I like your work. I tried the ‘one a day’ thing but only kept it up for a few weeks… Well done and keep going!
Thanks! I can only encourage you to start again! It’s a great motivater to post it all online and see peoples reactions.. Actually as the followers build up, i feel even more obliged to show something everyday !
That’s the spirit! Don’t forget … one drawing a day! Do that and one day soon you will not be able to stop yourself. I have a small suggestion which I would like to share with you privately contact me at http://ablot.com/contact.htm … only if you want to though … otherwise I think you are doing great!
Hi Thomas, thanks for liking my my post “Welkom”.
I can see that you are very dedicated, and dedication is the key to many things. (so they say 😉 ) Best of luck on your journey of daily drawings. I’ll chuck a few likes your way now.
Sounds like an interesting goal, I’ll follow you and see where this leads you.
Also thank you very much for stopping by.
Thanks! I hope to have something to show for it, in 22 month’s time !
hey Thomas!thanks for liking my posts. still new here, trying to figure out how this works. i think a drawing per day is an amazing thing to do! have a nice day
Welcome onto wordpress then! It’s great fun!
Thank you for liking my post. Really impressed with the challenge you have set yourself and the results you are already producing. Good luck
Thanks!
Hi Thomas!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Just found out about yours and I love the idea behind your blog. I can see I’m not the only one on the drawing learning road.
I wish you success with regards to your goal.
I also like the idea of having a bold goal 🙂
Thank you so much! And you too – good luck with your art!
Thanks.
Great blog! Keep drawing! 🙂
Thanks!
This is a great idea. I signed up to follow. I really want to learn to draw as well, but I can barely manage one sketch per week, though I espouse a “dumb sketch” approach to life: http://wp.me/pqJ7j-1av
Thanks! Why not try and do the same? As soon as you get into it, it really gets hard to not draw every day!
I thought about that. As soon as National Novel Writing Month is done, I might try to do a sketch a day in December to see how it goes. My sketching is really bad, however. Yours looks pretty accomplished, though you downplayed that.
It has improved a lot since september already. Go take a look at my first self portrait for example! I’m looking forward to decwmber then!
I am going to follow, I do abstract work but last year one of my fellow blogger gave us a challenge to draw every Thursday, I had not done it for 18 years, yes I am old, but it help me, will see if your drawings get me to try it again. What a challenge to do it every day.
It’s had tremendous effects on my drawing skills anyway. I hope you’ll start drawing again!
I will thanks
I admire you ! I tried to draw a tree everyday but failed … Now you inspire me again .. Thank you … I look forward to following … Xx
Thanks and good luck!
Keep drawing! Good for you 🙂
Thanks, i will !
Thanks for the like. And goodluck with the drawings. (Most of important rule for all arts: don’t forget to have FUN! 🙂 )
Thank you for stopping by my blog! You can make your “about me” page easier if you just make up cray cray stuff like I did on mine! 🙂
Oh maybe i’ll try that! Cheers!
POSTED SOME IMAGES OF YOU TODAY
———-11/19/2014————————-
These drawings are good! Just keep going.
I admire your learning. I spend 2 years doing a painting / drawing a day. Look up the daily artwork of Chris Ofili… it may take you some hunting… He get me started in the daily drawing / art making project.
THOMAS————WHAT DID YOU THINK OF YOU BEING MONA LISA ?
Good luck. This is a great idea to get the creative juices flowing and your skills growing. I tried it once to fill up a whole sketchbook. Didn’t manage every day, but probably about every second, and I was happy with that.
Thanks for stopping by my website/blog. Tiana
thanks!
Thank you for your visit on my blog 🙂
Great idea – you may collage some of these one day too.
Maybe that could be an idea. Thanks for commenting!
What a great idea for a blog-and a motivator! Ciao, Cristina
Thanks!
REALLY ENJOYED TODAY’S IMAGE !!!
GLAD YOU HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR !
Fantastic work and an inspiration. I am starting a drawing a day project starting on 1st January (corny – I know). Have put it out there and now feel panicked.
Don’t panic! And good luck!
Thomas you are a true inspiration for me. i think drawing everyday was an excellent concept as i have been amazed with how much you have progressed, i am kinda new to wordpress, so i have been following your work for a month or so and i have seen you getting better every day..imagine what you can do in 6months?! i feel that you should know this. seriously dude, well done!
Thank you very much! It means a lot to hear that!
THOMAS————–DID A “THE WALKING DEAD” PORTRAIT OF YOU !!!
ALSO DID A VERSION OF FRANK ZAPPA
An art teacher, 40+ years ago, said of painting, “the first 100 are the toughest.” Looking back, I’d make that a conservative estimate, but to me, the 18 YO student, it seemed unimaginable that I could make 100 paintings before I thought I did a good one. I’m still working on that.
Goya and Davis a good combo to practice on. There are lots of great photo of jazz musicians to use as inspirations, get them playing not posing tho’. Review Goya’s etchings before you start and play the jazz (sketches of Spain?) while you work.
Don’t lose hope, if you need to skip a day, do that, but don’t let that be a reason to stop. Thanks for the like. May I ask why?
Hi Tomas, thanks for following my blog, I am on 5/365 today, so I am full of admiration that you have got so far. Sue
Thank you – i’m looking forward to seeing your work!
THOMAS—–POSTED A NEW PORTRAIT OF YOU TODAY
——————————————————————————–
Thank you for liking my post
WOW..that’s a purrfect goal. Your drawings are absolutely beautiful and very similar to the cats we know 🙂 Follow your dreams, you already have the tools in your hand 😉 Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 <3
Thanks a lot!
Love your work! I have sure been enjoying your sketches on our cat friend’s blogs. Your drawing a day and sticking to it is incredible. I admire your fortitude, I have enough trouble blogging for Nellie, much less trying to do a piece of art everyday-wish I had the time. If you ever feel like doing a collaboration or we both do a sketch of the same thing and post on the same day or some other artistic challenge, let me know, I think that would be fun to see how 2 different artists do the same thing…Just a thought…
Ciao
Nellie’s Mom Barb
Hi! Thanks a lot! I really like your car portraits! Great work! They do look rather time consuming, though, hard to do one of those each day.. I rarely spend longer than 1 hour a day on my artworks, and the ballpoint pen sketches I’ve done recently are even quicker. Especially when they’re done in y small 4×6″ sketchbook. Doing a “finished” project each day would be a whole other challenge :).. What media do you normally work in? It could be really fun to collaborate on something!
Thomas, I’ve seen your cat portraits popping up and think cats could be a stand alone project. As an artist turned photog I know how difficult it is to draw cat (I stopped years ago) and I’d love my 20 year old Siamese Merlin immortalized by you.
20 years? Wow! I’d love to – where can i find some photos of him ? And thanks for stopping by!
hello Thomas & welcome to the blog world of cats & dogs who blog & are very self aware!!!
We are all so excited having you do sketches of our leggeds. You ARE very talented & it is refreshing to see someone just enjoying themselves as you are doing!
Wishing you well in your futur endeavours…
Sincerely Sherri-Ellen & Purrince Siddhartha Henry (Thee Purrfect Pad)
Thanks a lot for the welcome 🙂 I’m having fun with it !
Do you know about artist alleys at comic conventions? There’s also craft fairs. I’m hoping to try one of these with my artwork in the future as well. I think it would be really fun to interact with people that look at my work.
Yeah me too. No i haven’t heard about artist alleys, but i can imagine that it would be a great opportunity to expose at an event like that. Comic conventions are not that common here in Denmark though – but I’m not excluding traveling somewhere to celebrate this 2-year mark. Could be fun 🙂
You are a wonderful intuitive artist. I am glad to learn more about you here.
Thanks a ton! that means a lot 🙂
love your work. keep it up.
Thank you! I will!
Thomas an art expo what an exciting goal! I admire people with artistic talent! To be able to create a work of art is a unique talent. Many times we do not pursue our goals and stop short of ours dreams! Your goal will force you to continue even on those hopeless and stressful days! You have the desire to succeed to be the best you can. I wish you success. Thank you for drawing My dog Liberty! Please email me the place of your expo! I am interested in your success!
Thank you very much for your comment and your thoughts 🙂 I still don’t know where it might be, but I’ll be sure to tell everyone about it once I do 😉 scary, though! I’m always halfway there! I’m really glad you liked the drawing! Thanks again !
Hey Thomas! I just found your blog, and I think it’s great. Do you draw guineapigs?
Thank you! I do!