revisiting the fear of the empty page
I did it! I drew a picture in my "new" sketchbook. The first one! 🥳
Last week, I wrote a post entitled fear of the empty page where I discussed how extremely difficult it is for me to conquer blank spaces (especially in new notebooks). I shared a quote from artist, Felix Scheinberger, that captured my reticence to begin...drawing...writing...etc.
How should you begin? More important, how should you begin without ruining your beautiful new book with an initial mistake?
If you read that post (no pressure), you will know that I do not consider myself an artist, but have always had a desire to sketch. So with Felix's encouragement (via his book), today I completed the first sketch in my notebook. A significant hurdle surmounted.
I worked from a photo I took in Quemado, New Mexico on a summer road trip. For reference, here is the picture.
Second Street and Highway 60: Quemado, New Mexico - July 25, 2026
...and voilà! My first sketch, with pencil, pen, and a bit of water color.
Sketch of Second Street and Highway 60: Quemado, New Mexico - Sept. 30, 2026
There is plenty to critique. Some of my lines are wonky, too much ink on the tires, I took some creative liberty with the "fence," and I wasn't able to convey the pitch of the roof. And, there was still fear. I left out the vehicles and background buildings because I didn't feel like I could conquer those...yet. Something to build on.
But, I started. The page is no longer empty! 𓂃✍︎
If you appreciated this post, you might enjoy fear of the empty page and i might as well fall flat on my face