For generations, art has been a form of self-expression and storytelling, evolving with technology in our modern world. The ability to create and imagine is a significant part of our lives and a driving force for many.
Art is an immense and powerful tool that helps people of all ages explore, invent, create, and express themselves in unique ways. While it provides these benefits and expands our creativity, mastering it requires dedication beyond natural talent.
At MCHS, many students have navigated the challenging and often frustrating process of learning to draw well. Junior Omar Peña shares his personal experience with drawing.
“I have been doing it for about five years and the hardest part is the motivation since sometimes I want to draw but have no clue what,” Peña said.
Sophomore Nayeli Luis-Martinez has gone into great detail of all she’s done since her 7th grade year. She goes on sharing about the various learning experiences she’s gained that have helped her understand the proportions of the human body, which is essential when it comes to creating a human character.
“Well, I have been taking an art program called Ryman Arts for the past year and a half and I am currently in my last semester and will be finishing the program on November 23. In the first two semesters, I got into sketching figure models within certain timeframes and it builds our understanding and skill of drawing the human body and its sort of flexibility, proportions, etc. The last semester, in which I am in, is painting, where we learn how to mix colors to match tones and how to draw models that have two opposite colors in the light hitting them. So throughout my experience in art, I’ve done sketching, charcoal, watercolor, pastels (both chalk and oil), and acrylic painting,” Luis-Martinez said.
While practice and studying are essential for improving as an artist, motivation and emotions also play a significant role. From Imposter Syndrome to a lack of motivation, the journey can be both emotional and challenging. In fact, how we express ourselves in art is a hard path on its own.
Senior Isabel Mendez sheds light on this issue and elaborates how she found her art style, as Mendez discovered while finding her unique style through platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.
“I’m tempted to say that drawing hands is the most difficult part of drawing, but after thinking about it for more than a second, I would say the journey of finding my art style was the hardest, but most rewarding! With platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, I discovered all kinds of cool, unique, and eye-catching art styles, allowing me to pick out the parts that I like about them most to create my own way of drawing that I feel comfortable with,” Mendez said.
For Mendez, art is both a stress reliever and a connection to her father’s artistic influence. Art styles, which reflect how we express ourselves, are deeply personal, and everyone has their own reasons for pursuing them. Not only is it a means of self expression, but a healthy coping mechanism many people have developed since childhood.
“I do art because it helps me express myself and relieve stress. As a kid, I was pretty anxious all the time so, naturally, I gravitated toward a hobby that didn’t require being around a lot of people or talking that much. Another big reason I picked up art was because of my dad who is goated at drawing. We would sometimes just sit on the floor and he would grab a piece of paper and then just let his pen drift across the canvas. It’s simple moments like seeing him become so immersed in his artwork while I tried to guess what or who he was drawing that sparked my interest in drawing. I was and still am captivated by the ease with which he draws his lines, how they turn out so distinctive and confident, just like him,” Mendez said.
Of course, at the end of the day, any form of art is also a hobby. For Peña, art serves as a form of entertainment, and a cure to his boredom.
“I do it as an outlet for my creativity and for when I am very bored,” Peña said.
Luis-Martinez also explains her reasons for pursuing so much in drawing, watercolor, anatomy and color theory.
“I do art because I love it. It is a great outlet and even though I can get frustrated with my pieces, I love creating it and the process of doing it. It’s also great that after the hours I put into a piece that I can see its final product. Whenever I’m sketching, painting or anything else, I feel so happy because it sets my mind to ease and calms me. All I have to do is put on music and get in the zone where all I think about is my art,” Luis-Martinez said.
Becoming an artist always involves learning and requires patience, discipline, motivation, creativity and most importantly, practice. Practice makes perfect in the art community, in which a circle of friends might be there waiting for someone new to enlighten them with their uniqueness.
But what if I want to pursue art? Many people desire to become artists, but few take the leap due to fear of judgment or feeling unable to meet expectations. However, it’s important to remember that every artist started somewhere, and no one is born with these skills. For aspiring artists, practice and perseverance are key. As Luis-Martinez advises, using references and programs like the Ryman Arts Program can help improve skills.
“My advice would be to look at references for whatever you want to draw and continuously practice it so you can get used to it and understand what and how you have to draw it out. And if you are able to do it, apply for the Ryman Arts program (can only work if you’re a high school student) and if you do get it, have fun, do the work because this program really improves your art skills,” Luis-Martinez said.
Additionally, Mendez encourages keeping early drawings to track progress over the years. It really puts into perspective all of your own hard work and how much you’ve improved since then.
“First things first, anyone can draw. Period. There are steps like learning how to sketch out basic shapes that can help you build up your drawing skills, but please don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the hang of it as fast as the next person. Like every other skill, you need to practice to get better. Trust me, I’ve definitely had my fair share of ugly and cringey drawings but did I let that stop me? For a little bit, but then I realized I didn’t have friends so I came crawling back to my sketchbook like the desperate little booger I am. Anyways, the point is that certain techniques that might work for one person, might not work for you, and that’s okay. As long as you put your best foot forward, you’ll become a goated artist in no time. Don’t be afraid to keep those “ugly” drawings. I say keep them! It’ll give you something to look back on and see how much your hard work is paying off,” Mendez said.
Everyone learns differently, whether it be using references, looking up YouTube tutorials or even enrolling in a program. The journey there will be difficult, there is no denying that. The end goal will give you a powerful tool. Being able to draw anything means you can bring any idea from your imagination to life.
Art is a versatile form of expression, from drawing to creating music. It reflects creativity and dedication, proving that with practice, anyone can become an artist. Music, writing, dancing, and photography are all examples of art. The important part is how it impacts you personally. It’s truly amazing what a person can do when their imagination runs free on a single sheet of paper. This process says a lot about a person, demonstrating that with determination, they can do anything they’ve set their mind to.
