My oldest son recently has been asking questions about art. He wants to learn to draw. Hubby said “Ask your Mom. She’s a great artist.” So, I sat with him a few times and gave him pointers… not really expecting him to take anything seriously. (He jumps from thing to thing a lot these days.)
This weekend he asked if I would take him to the store to get some supplies. Nothing fancy, just some pencils, a real drawing pad, and colored pencils.
He was a little overwhelmed with all the choices, but we decided on a few basic supplies, and I told him I’d see if I had any colored pencils in my old art supplies. He was really interested in learning to draw in the Manga style, so I picked him up an instructional book.
As we sifted through my supplies at home, I came across my old sketch books, and my paintings.
Dude’s eyes opened in awe. “Wow, you drew these? Why did you stop?”
Why did you stop?
Well, the truth was, I hadn’t picked up a pencil or a paintbrush since a few weeks before he was born (and he’s 12) I told him, “After I had kids I just had different priorities.”
He said to me, “But we’re all older now. You should start drawing again.”
So, I figured, why not?
I sat down with a sketch pad, opened up the book on how to draw Manga, and just followed the directions.
To be honest, after not drawing for 12 years I was a little skeptical what I’d be able to do, but I was pretty happy with what popped out of my pencil within 15 minutes or so.
I have to admit, it felt really good having a pencil in my hand again. Yeah, I made a few mistakes and had to erase a little, but I was dern pleased that it didn’t totally stink after being out of practice for so long.
My son asked if I’d take a night a week to draw with him. I figure, why not? I need to work on my Manga hair, anyway. Maybe the next one won’t have split ends. 🙂
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Jennifer M Eaton 
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We’re kindred spirits! I used to be a visual artist too, and dropped it along the way…but now I’m a writer. I feel like creative people need an “outlet” for their creativity, and writing just happens to be the way I have come to express my creativity now.
Love your sketch, btw. Very anime-chic. 🙂
Awe thanks. It was fun.
Nice sketch! My son is into Manga, as well. I think he gets that artistic ability from my dad and me. Like you, I used to draw a lot, too, mostly doodles. Since I developed my skills at creating images with words rather than pencil strokes, I find that my skills as an artist don’t measure up any more. Also, since exploring the world of scrapbooking, I think I enjoy the physical acts of cutting and pasting more than drawing. One day, I might pick up my coloured pencils again, or learn to paint.
I hope you and your son will grow a tighter bond because of your mutual interest. 🙂
This dude and I have a lot in common. Carbon cut out of me. And just as stubborn- which can be bad.
My husband stopped drawing when our son was born. But he, too, has rediscovered this love while drawing with our now 9-yr-old. Finding parts of yourself that you thought you’d lost is lovely. It would be wonderful to see drawings from both of you!
I can’t say I gave anything up, but I have put somethings on hold. It is the way of the world.
Prioritizing. 🙂
Anna from “Shout with Emaginette”
Love your Manga, Jen! Didn’t know you were an artist—way cool!
Love the little detailed shading! Hope to see more of these. I know I need to put a few more of mine up on my page but there’s too many lol
You can draw too? Is there no end to your talents? 😛 xo
Yes. I can’t cook. I try to do too many things at the same time and always manage to burn stuff.
That’s good to know. 😛 I actually bought an artists kit, instruction booklet and art pad months ago…because I’ve always wanted to learn how to draw. It’s still in the cellophane.
Open it up and give it a try! You never know. Ha! Imagine the fun things you can draw, :-0
You haven’t lost your touch. Makes me wonder about genes and what lovely secrets they share. Nice you two will have special time together. Hope you will share your creations here too.
Maybe I’ll post some of his stuff when he gets a little better too
I didn’t write for years when I fist got married and the children came … I think the creativity goes another way, when it came back, it was better than ever … Keep going ….
Thanks!
Heh, I used to draw a lot too. Minored in art in college for kicks and giggles, but I haven’t done anything since then. Have some of my stuff hanging on my wall and a bunch posted on Deviantart.com, but my creative outlet over the past years or so has been writing. I’ve considered picking it up myself. Wondering if my daughter might be interested in it as well. She does like art, and I still have a bunch of my old art supplies 🙂
Yeah- looking through my old supplies was a walk down memory lane.
So cute! I hope you’ll be showing us more of your creations soon. 🙂
Yeah probably – will keep me motivated to keep trying.
Nice bit of shading under the chin there
Thanks. It’s funny how something small like that can make a difference.