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My First Digital Art Lesson | Art Journal Entry #1
Read about my first digital art lesson about using Procreate to create Zentangle Art.
Can I learn Digial Art Even Though I Can’t Draw?
I am on a Quest to learn digital art from scratch. My artistic ability is basically doodles in the margins of my notebook. Using Proceate, an iPad, and thousands of online courses and tutorials, I believe it is very possible to become a professional digital artist who sells their art online.
This is the first Entry in my Art Journal as I show you exactly how I will become a digital artist and how you can too.
My First Digital Art Lesson
Yes, I have taken art classes in school, but this time it is completely self-taught. I am in charge of the schedule and curriculum. However my experience with art classes mean I know the importance of fundamentals. As such, I chose Zentangle Art and took Tracy Ann Wilkinson’s Zentangle Inspired Art in Procreate class in Skillshare. The Zentangle Method focuses mostly on lines and different line work. Making this my perfect first digital art lesson.
Challenges of Online A Digital Art Lesson
This is a great class for any beginner who wants to learn how to Tangle on Procreate. Tracy shows you how to set up your canvas and walks the student through every step of tangling 8 different patterns. My only complaint is that she goes too fast. I paused and rewound the video a bunch so I could follow her. But I think that is the drawback of online classes versus in-person. The teacher can’t see you and won’t know to slow down for you or speed up when you need to.
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
I am a perfectionist. As a straight-A student, I have always done well at things I put effort into. It was really hard following the Skillshare class. I wasn’t able to make my tangles look as good as the teacher when I first started. I hated it. In the beginning, I spent more time trying to make my tangles perfect and look liek Tracy’s. It was maddening. As she zipped throught the many different tangle and their steps. I was stuck on the first. Trying to make it look like hers or at least good.
How did I overcome this dreadful comparison? I gave myself grace. After a break, I started the lesson over but this time I used a different approach. I did the tangles messily and purposely did not make them look amazing. I focused on learning the steps instead of making art. My second try was about making good art. Once I had learned all the steps I went back and tried again. I took my time and truly focused on the tangles. The results? I made art that I was proud of and forgot about the teacher.
Finding New Resources For My Next Digital Lesson
I definitely love Zentangle Art. When I put my complete focus into the tangles I learned, it was very calming and addictive. I could have kept going for hours. Tracy only has 3 classes on Skillshare so while I will take those, I also need to find other resources to learn more tangles and grow my skills. I will go to my local library and try to find a book on Zentangle Art.
Week One Recap
I accomplished my main goal for this month, I started. The class was hard and I need a lot of practice but I did it. And the best part is that I loved doing it. So I will keep going. I can’t wait to learn more in my next lesson.
Happy Creating!
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!