I've been having a lot of thoughts about what it means to make art lately too. Maybe this is counterintuitive, but I'm trying to think less about it, both writing & drawing. I think that beginner's spirit you're seeking comes from a place that lacks introspection, lacks asking yourself why you're doing something, why it's this way. Another way to phrase it is the lack of expectations. You spoke about learning the

rules of anatomy, but you're not bound by them, even if you think they are. It sounds like you're wanting to emulate your earlier art, but the only way to go back to how you once were is to do things unselfconsciously, to do your artwork for the sake of doing it. I've been thinking a lot about this lately & I write more than I draw, but when I feel dissatisfaction with what I've written, I just do it anyways & try

to avoid over examining it. Rather than thinking about how I want the finished thing to be, the product, I just enjoy the process of it. What makes an artist an artist is the fact that they make art, not whether or not anyone thinks it's good, (yourself included.) It's funny you wrote this, because at the moment I feel as though I'm looking at this problem from the opposite side, seeking to improve my skills, to

learn to draw with realism & whatnot. Anyways, best of luck to you :) The only way you can go is forward!

@vashti Hi! I think you're right about my own expectations holding me back. It's something that I struggle with in general actually, I have a tendency to think about doing things way more than I actually do them. It’s a bad habit I’m trying to break and your straightforward response helps a lot so thank you! Also, I’m not sure if you’re mostly focusing on animals or humans as your subjects but if you want to study an

@vashti anatomy I have a couple sites you can use if you want to do gesture drawings or figure studies just let me know!

I feel the same way; 2024 will be our year of doing things ! I'd like to draw nude models, women in particular if that matters & animals, normally birds, hounds, or woodland ones like deer. I'd be happy to have any resources sent my way, as looking for reference images takes away from my drawing time

Also your sketchbook page is so inspiring, because one of Vashti's new goals is to fill an entire sketchbook with practice & dedication >:-)