Why I Can't Stop Coloring
An Artist's Struggle with Color
Whats up everyone! 😁
As an artist, I’ve developed a curious habit over time, every piece I start must be fully colored. No matter the intention, no matter the initial idea, I find myself unable to stop at a sketch or a greyscale drawing. It always needs to be complete, fully rendered, and, most importantly, filled with color. Why do I feel this compulsion? I’m not sure. But there’s something about the unfinished stage that seems to pull me towards completion every time.
It’s frustrating because lately, I’ve been trying to break that habit. I’ve been reminding myself that not every drawing needs to be finished. I’ve started to leave some pieces at the sketch stage, telling myself it’s okay to stop there. Progress is slow, but I’m getting there. Still, there’s a long road ahead, and it's harder than I expected.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that colors aren’t as simple as they seem. They’ve always been a challenge for me. They look straightforward on the surface, but mastering them is a whole different story. I’ve never been able to just pick a palette of a few colors and stick with it. I feel like I need access to the whole color wheel, all the time. There’s no middle ground for me. It’s all or nothing.
And then there’s the rendering. Shadows? They come pretty naturally to me. But the light, oh, the light. That’s where things tend to go wrong. I either add too much light or apply it in the wrong way, and the whole piece just ends up looking off. Somehow, I never seem to get the balance right.
Now, when it comes to digital art, working with color feels easier. Traditional mediums, though, are another story. I have this beautiful set of 72 Copic markers that I rarely touch anymore. I used to be so excited about them, but working with traditional color feels overwhelming now. Interestingly, I’m more comfortable with greys when I use traditional media, except for watercolors. Watercolor pencils are my go-to because blending traditional colors is such a challenge. I’ve even been eyeing a tinted charcoal set, hoping to find a new way to work with the complexities of color.
Color theory? That’s another thing I seem to forget about all the time. Maybe it’s something I should pay more attention to, but in the heat of creating, it just slips my mind. The thing is, when I see an idea forming, I want access to all the colors. I can’t seem to choose just three or four and complete a piece within those limits. It's like I’m constantly battling with a need for an infinite palette.
I know many great artists don’t rely on color for their work, and I’ve found inspiration in books like Sketching from Imagination. These books remind me that not everything needs to be a fully colored masterpiece. Some sketches are perfect as they are.
Yet, despite knowing this, I’m often afraid to experiment with color. I tend to choose dull, muted tones for my original characters and illustrations, as if I’m scared to let loose and explore brighter, more vibrant options. It feels like I’m holding back, too afraid to open Pandora’s box and let myself just have fun with it.
Why is that? I think it goes back to my school days when standing out got me bullied. That experience is still lodged deep in my mind, making me hesitant to push the boundaries with my art. I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself, even though I know, rationally, that I don’t have to share everything I create with the world.
But the truth is, I want to share. I want to put my work out there and hear someone say, "Hey, this is good. You’ve done well." I long for that validation. And maybe that’s part of why I’m afraid to experiment, I don’t want to risk failure in front of others. But I know I need to overcome this fear if I want to grow as an artist.
It’s a long journey, this struggle with color. But I’m working on it, one sketch at a time. 😊
❄️ New Print Out!
I got a new print that you can get over at INPRNT. And they running a sale right now.
❄️ My Art Journey
Recently, I stumbled across a new YouTube channel called Digital Art with Mark. Mark has this incredible way of painting landscapes using only the lasso tool in Procreate, and watching him work has unlocked something inside me. He makes it look effortless, and for the first time, I feel like I could try it too, like I’m ready to dive in and experiment.
I've also been inspired lately by two other artists: Philip Sue, whose landscapes have this atmospheric, almost magical quality, and Ben Eblen, who creates beautifully stylized characters. I even got Ben's course on Proko (Not out yet). These artists have reminded me that art doesn’t have to be so serious, it should be fun. I’m learning to let go of the pressure I put on myself, to just play, to not stress over every detail.
The lasso tool especially has been a revelation. I’d seen it before but never thought to try it myself. Now, I’m experimenting with it, and the two latest pieces I made are deeply influenced by this new technique and these artists’ styles. But there’s still one thing I’m struggling with: lighting. Every time I try to work with light, I get frustrated. It just never seems to look right, but I’m telling myself that it’s okay. Maybe one day it’ll click, but for now, it’s all about enjoying the process, right?
Honestly, this newfound inspiration couldn’t have come at a better time. I had a rough experience recently with my occupational therapist, and everything just felt a bit off. But diving into art like this, trying new techniques, and pushing myself to explore landscapes, it’s given me something to look forward to, a way to feel good again.
I know I have this habit of trapping myself in my own little "Pandora’s box," as I call it. I obsess over making everything perfect, but I’m learning that it doesn’t have to be that way. Art is supposed to be expressive, messy, and free. So, here I am, giving myself permission to let loose, to make things that don’t have to be flawless. Landscape painting, especially, feels like a new door opening, one that could even lead to a new way of promoting my own reference packs. It’s both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking, but in a good way.
I’m also on this journey to find a style that works across both digital and traditional platforms, something that feels cohesive but still embraces the messiness I love. So here’s to letting go, trying new things, and seeing where this path takes me.
❄️ What to Read next?
Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
Awesome stuff Jezz! I love Philip Sue’s art. Just really love his style. I haven’t heard of the Lasso tool but now I want to try it! Thanks for the tips!
I have a similar problem in that I am unable to do sketches and every piece has to be finished (though not necessarily with colour as that often scares me!). I think I am afraid that, if the sketch is good, i will never be able to recreate it in the finished piece. For my first illustration course assignment I did the initial sketches AFTER I finished the actual artwork 🤦♀️ What a pair we make!