What are you trying to achieve when you draw?

[CrazyDiamond]

This is a question I have wanted to ask people for a while now: "What is going through your mind when you draw"?
I am interested in the artist's main goal or focus. Are you trying to get your picture to look like a certain style? Or are you trying to capture the essence/feeling of a character/setting? Are you trying to make sure that the anatomy and lighting is "correct" or are you trying to break new boundaries within your own habits?

I realise most artists will have a combination of these things and possibly others that haven't been mentioned. But please share what you feel to be important.

[CrazyDiamond]

For me, usually trying to capture the feeling/essence is paramount in each piece I do. Followed closely by focusing on the 3D shape and inter-workings of the anatomy.

[Spidey]

I have to draw. It's therapeutic. It's a process. It's me. I'm never able to draw exactly what's in my head. In my head my art and ideas look fantastic. I can get maybe 20% of what I've had in my mind to accurately spill onto the paper or screen, but I don't think that's the point. I have a very loose concept of what I want to do when I draw and most of the time as the piece starts pulling together the concept evolves on it's own. If I draw something to completion without being completely disgusted then I count that as a success.

[CrazyDiamond]

I have to draw. It's therapeutic. It's a process. It's me. I'm never able to draw exactly what's in my head. In my head my art and ideas look fantastic. I can get maybe 20% of what I've had in my mind to accurately spill onto the paper or screen, but I don't think that's the point.

Does the picture in your head have a certain style? Is it based on something you've seen or is it something completely your own?

[Spidey]

It's based mostly on what I think I'm capable sprinkled with influences of stuff I would like to think I'm capable of.

[Orphangrinder]

It's an interesting question. What I'm thinking about or focusing on depends largely on what I'm drawing at the moment, and what its purpose is.

I seldom draw "for pleasure" -- not that I don't take pleasure in drawing. But the vast majority of my time spent drawing is either drawing pages, or practicing to figure something out or improve some specific aspect of my skills.

When I'm drawing a page, the thing I think about most is how best to tell the story. That sounds cliche, but at this point, it's true -- I've gotten to where the nuts and bolts stuff like perspective and figure drawing and lighting can kinda be on autopilot, and I can put most of my mental energy into figuring out compositions that hopefully make you feel the story, rather than just see it. I've been reading a lot of books about graphic design and cinematography and the like, and I'm still working out how to incorporate those lessons into my pages. Once I'm past the blocking in stage and on to the real drawing, I can kinda go on autopilot. I am focusing on shape a lot, these days, so I guess that's a big concern during the drawing stage.

As far as practice, what I'm thinking about depends entirely on what problem I'm trying to solve. Lately, I've been spending a lot of my practice time trying to develop a style that's optimized for speed and expressiveness. Other times, I'll just be doing thumbnail compositions to try stuff out, or working on my drapery, or trying new inking techniques, or whatever.

The question gives me an idea, though -- it might be a worthwhile exercise to pick a sort of "mantra" whenever you're drawing. "Minimize", or "exaggerate shapes" or "draw as slowly as possible" or something, to maybe take you to a different place than you usually go.

[Orphangrinder]

Woops, double post.

[CrazyDiamond]

The question gives me an idea, though -- it might be a worthwhile exercise to pick a sort of "mantra" whenever you're drawing. "Minimize", or "exaggerate shapes" or "draw as slowly as possible" or something, to maybe take you to a different place than you usually go.

I do this often. I am consciously trying to achieve something most times and have this idea in my head that I must follow. I find that by doing this I can usually get want I want to get much faster. Usually within the first drawing! It also highlights in knowledge gaps.

[dfbovey]

I usually try to tell a compelling story and make the composition draw people into that story or make them feel a part of the action as much as my skill level will allow. I'm always trying to incorporate depth and layers to the composition to achieve that (maybe a cinematic approach) to move my viewers through a piece. I always want a certain amount of energy to be felt. I also strive for realism and detail. I never want someone to look at a piece of art that I've done and ever accuse me of being lazy. Something that is immediately impactful and also detailed enough to make someone want to stare at it for a bit to take in the details.

I try to consciously think of ways to achieve the above in everything I do.

I don't consciously think about style or exaggeration. Although I'm sure my favorite artist's shorthand and recognizable flair is ingrained whether I want it to be or not. I've often wondered if my style is distinguishable and recognizable whether my signature is on it or not. But I don't really believe in consciously trying to strive for a style. I just draw and let it fall where it may.

[CrazyDiamond]

I don't consciously think about style or exaggeration. Although I'm sure my favorite artist's shorthand and recognizable flair is ingrained whether I want it to be or not. I've often wondered if my style is distinguishable and recognizable whether my signature is on it or not. But I don't really believe in consciously trying to strive for a style. I just draw and let it fall where it may.

I find this very hard to do. The only time I can do this is if I am copying a photo or drawing. Otherwise I have to make a conscious decision of which style I will choose before I do the drawing.