Too often I hear people say "I don't draw because I'm not good", or even worse "I like to draw, but my drawings are ugly, so I don't do it". You convince yourself that you are not good, and then you give up.
Like the fox that doesn't reach the grapes: she gives up, and prefers to say that she didn't really want it at all.
It happens to everyone, even me or other good and famous artists, to look at one's drawing and not be satisfied with it. Sometimes we are even disappointed, because the result is far from what we had imagined.
However, this is just a very normal reaction, stemming from the desire to improve, which should not be an excuse not to draw!
I have decided to collect here, in no particular order, some considerations I have made over the years, and which I will never tire of repeating to everyone (yes, even to myself):
If drawing is a pleasurable activity, it is a great pity to give it up just for fear of the end result... don't you think? Focusing on "while drawing" helps to remember to enjoy while doing the action. To use a metaphor:
The important thing is the journey and not the destination.
What is your goal? Why are you drawing?
If the answer is "because I like it and enjoy/relax", then you are on the right track.
You are not taking an exam, nor are you creating an illustration for which someone might be disappointed: you are drawing for you, to spend this time peacefully.
If I decide to go for a walk in the mountains, I will not start with a climb on the Everest, but with something simpler!
The same should apply to drawing: if I am novice or out of practice, I will not start a photorealistic portrait project with oil paintings on canvas!
Better to play it smart by choosing a simple technique: start with the basics, with something that does not require years of training:
The tool that reassures me most of all is a small black ink pen, with a somewhat coarse tip: the thick stroke prevents one from being able to be particularly accurate or detailed, forcing the drawing to be a little rough, almost coarse... but no less pleasant.
It often happens that I buy, or am given as a present, spectacular sketchbooks: well bound and with a fantastic paper feel, which also cost a considerable amount of money. Then I open it, get ready to draw... and the anxiety rises! What if I ruin this beautiful new notebook? When in doubt, I just give up using it to wait for that famous 'genius project' that will evidently never arrive.
Over the years I have found a sketchbook that is perfect:
It seems impossible, but it is also from a very famous brand: Moleskine. In this version, it does not give the impression of a "fine sketchbook", but gladly accepts the right amount of carelessness that makes drawing an enjoyable activity.
As for point 2, if I find myself doing an activity that I do not do often I will be undertrained, increasing the risk of being disappointed by the result, thus increasing fears and insecurities.
If I do a little drawing every day, on the other hand, I will more easily accept a possible disappointment: no harm if I am disappointed today, I will do better tomorrow.
Being disappointed seems, at first glance, to be a bad thing... but it doesn't have to be: feeling dissatisfied means wanting to improve. Instead of looking at the negative sides of the picture, it is better to try to see how you can do better next time.
We cannot change the way we draw, at least not overnight (we can do it with dedication and training, tenacity in studying and deepening techniques). But we can change our mental attitude towards drawing: by relieving tension with small tricks, we can enjoy this relaxing and meditative activity more.