Not finding inspiration

[LaurenWilsonArt]

I adore animals. I've always drawn animals critters animals monsters animals. I can draw people, but I always have to force myself to do it. I've taken several classes on lifedrawing the human form, so it's not a matter of not being able to do it (though it is admittedly way harder for me than animals), it's just it doesn't pique my interest. Whenever I'm doodling for fun it's always a critter and not a person. I don't even like artwork others have done of people as much as I like art of animals.

I just don't know how to have fun with drawing humans, they don't inspire me at all! I know I have to draw them and often, to be fully rounded as an artist. It's like pulling teeth! :( Any suggestions on learning to enjoy it and getting past feeling like it's a chore?

[OwenWelsh]

I adore animals. I've always drawn animals critters animals monsters animals. I can draw people, but I always have to force myself to do it. I've taken several classes on lifedrawing the human form, so it's not a matter of not being able to do it (though it is admittedly way harder for me than animals), it's just it doesn't pique my interest. Whenever I'm doodling for fun it's always a critter and not a person. I don't even like artwork others have done of people as much as I like art of animals.

I just don't know how to have fun with drawing humans, they don't inspire me at all! I know I have to draw them and often, to be fully rounded as an artist. It's like pulling teeth! :( Any suggestions on learning to enjoy it and getting past feeling like it's a chore?

I have had similar issues. The human form is a very difficult subject matter and I seldom feel like drawing it without any inspiration. What has always worked for me is finding a muse. There will be a few people who cross your path in life that ARE characters. Their personalities, in some way or another will seem extreme to you. They are; the extremely shy, the extremely giggly, the extremely flirty, the extremely macho. They are a walking caricature of something and they just seem to do it naturally. Try to think of these people and put those emotions into the drawing. All I know is that this has worked for me.

[lavallelee]

Inspiration can come in many forms. Doing life drawing and drawing people will help you become a better animator & artist.

Here is a letter Walt Disney wrote about life drawing and how important it is.

http://www.michaelspornanimation.com/splog/?p=1917

Today I plan on doing some life drawing. :) Why not just go out and do it. Look past if it's fun, boring or tedious. Maybe instead of drawing people how they look do some silly caricature, or put the people together with shapes, then maybe try drawing people with just shading.

Mix it up, try to have fun. Hope that helps.

[jeremyhopkins]

Whenever I'm doodling for fun it's always a critter and not a person. I don't even like artwork others have done of people as much as I like art of animals.
Well, unless it's a professional project where you're being paid to draw humans or you want to work in a place that requires knowledge of human anatomy and gestures, don't force yourself to do it. If drawing is for your own entertainment, do what you love to do. If you need work for a portfolio or pro project, just think that you're being paid to produce work and you have to be switched on all the time.
I'm the opposite. I love humans and human expressions. Will Eisner's New York is one of my favorites for human expression. Bill Peet, Ronald Searle(though I prefer Milt's versions of Searle characters), Frank Frazetta, are some my inspirations and there's a lot of great stuff on the asifa website. Willy Pogany's Life drawing manual and the Zim cartooning courses are genius!
If people aren't your thing, don't worry - draw what you enjoy.

[Don Bluth]

I adore animals. I've always drawn animals critters animals monsters animals. I can draw people, but I always have to force myself to do it. I've taken several classes on lifedrawing the human form, so it's not a matter of not being able to do it (though it is admittedly way harder for me than animals), it's just it doesn't pique my interest. Whenever I'm doodling for fun it's always a critter and not a person. I don't even like artwork others have done of people as much as I like art of animals.

I just don't know how to have fun with drawing humans, they don't inspire me at all! I know I have to draw them and often, to be fully rounded as an artist. It's like pulling teeth! :( Any suggestions on learning to enjoy it and getting past feeling like it's a chore?

Try think of people as animals! In reality, humans are part of the animal kingdom with an added sense of reason and emotion. I find "people watching" extremely entertaining. Go to your local mall or park and observe people's actions, in particularly, their postures.
When I see a person thinking, trying to process information so he/she will know what to do, that is entertaining.

[Richard Willimot]

I have to agree people are probably one of the funniest animals to watch,especially when we think no one is watching.

[LaurenWilsonArt]

I've been thinking about it more and part of my reluctance to draw members of the species Homo sapiens is because of people asking me to draw them, and worrying about likenesses and people getting offended if I draw them unflatteringly or incorrectly. Just a lot of pressure to worry about. :[ It was nervewracking enough when the life models would come around during break and look at the paintings we were doing in class of them.

[johncbeggs]

I ussually only draw humans Becuase I think we are the funniest things ever , I guess it depends on the characters you know in real life!

[JayTea]

Go to your local mall ....
Yeah. Be sure to wear a suit and tie. Maybe bring a lawyer. (http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2169&postcount=17)

[Hammy]

I think it is a matter of training your observation skills and applying them to your drawings. I believe base on what you said, you have a strong skill in drawing base on imagination, which is already quite something!

You may want to consider becoming a little more observant of people's behavior while in public, and try and imagine them if they are drawn. Sometimes imagine your best friend, or your family, relatives, try drawing them for starters and pretend it's just all for fun, no pressure in making them master pieces. One must get over the idea that if they are weak at something then they can't do it. You just got to start somewhere! :)


To quote:
""Everyone has 200,000 bad drawings in them, the sooner you get them out the better."
— Chuck Jones




JayTea,

I honestly wouldn't let that experience stop you from drawing in public. Try and go to a park perhaps? People are less paranoid in a much more bigger and open space. Drawing in public does means being shameless a lot.

Then again I also understand it could be a cultural difference thing. I'm in San Francisco and more often than not, I find artists here and there drawing in public, on the bus, at the park, or at the zoo. :) People are so used to it.