19
years ago I started a project and new year's resolution in which I drew every
day in a drawing journal. The idea came from a phrase I read from Apelles of
Kos a Greek painter of the 4th century BC. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea"
(Do not spend a day without a line) is a famous quote attributed to the artist.
Drawing is fundamental to all art, from painting to architecture, so why not
strengthen this skill to its maximum, I thought. The way to do this was by
first of all adopting the phrase from Apelles as maxim & principle to guide
my art.
The first drawings made in my diary were by ballpoint pen and very
loose. Many of these were disastrous but some showed to have potential and I
slowly began to realize that what's really important behind drawing was in the
process and not necessarily the result. The vigor and looseness were gradually
being reflected in any other artistic medium I worked with. For many years I
drew religiously every day in my diaries that kept accumulating. These drawings
served as sketches for my paintings but they also served as a learning tool,
escape valve and an appropriate channel
for creative energy. This had a tremendously positive impact on paintings I
created in subsequent years.
After passing through some phases and art periods
high and low, I decided to re-take this daily practice of drawing from this
year onwards and through this blog to share some of the results. After all this
blog is titled "Artist journal", so I better make some justice with
this title.
When I taught drawing and painting, one of my advices to my
students was to never stop drawing and to create a habit and discipline of
drawing as many often as they could. At first it may be difficult and it is
because we do not have the time or easily feel discouraged by not seeing
immediate results but the key is keeping at it with persistence in the process
and to simply enjoy the humble act of drawing.
One way of looking at it is to
think about the drawings as the basic vitamins in art. In this metaphor, an
artist who does not draw is a malnourished artist. Again I throw this advice to
all who read this blog. No matter the medium or support but always keep this in
mind and practice "Nulla Dies Sine Linea".