Embarrassed to draw?

Ant

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
When I draw I HAVE to be in a quiet place, alone. No one can see my art, ever, or else I get super embarrassed. I was wondering... does anyone else have this issue?

For example, if I hear someone coming or my mom pull into the driveway while I'm doing some art I will literally RUN to the trash can in the kitchen, crumple it up and place it under all the trash to avoid anyone picking it up out of there. I get really paranoid, thinking about stupid things like "oh god, what if they ask what it is?" and things like that.

The worst part is that I hardly have any time by myself to practice, which hurts my ability to improve. Does anyone feel the same way or am I just a weirdo? :P
 

Meta

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
I don't like when people want to watch me draw. Because when I'm in the process of drawing I get self-conscious about all the mistakes I make, even though it's natural for me to make them and then correct them, if someone's watching I get a little nervous.

As for you, well, you don't have a room or something you could draw in? Or I take it your family members are pretty nosy about what you're doing, regarding how you are so paranoid about them.
 

Darach

Momo's Minion
Well, if you'd like, it might be a good idea to bring a small sketch or notebook along in your pocket. Carrying a small piece to draw on gives you the ability to do so wherever you like. Be it in public transport, just out at the park or in the middle of nowhere. Whenever you feel confident.

I personally don't have the issue of embarrassment when drawing, but I can recall when I first started playing an instrument, I had a similar issue as you have. Wanting to be in a quiet place, alone, so no-one could hear the guitar or my voice. But eventually, I guess I grew more confident. Just keep working on it, and when you feel confident enough to show someone, do so. That's (sadly) all the advice I could give you.
 

Ant

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
Thread starter
Mmm I guess there isn't much I can do, haha. U_U Nyeh.
 

thibaud76200

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
I draw only if I'm alone. I hate questions like "OMAHGAD WHAT IZ DIS Y U DRAW DIS BLAHBLAHBLAH". u_u
And basicly I can't even draw simple things.
 

IrisFlower

Precious Flower with Thorns
Supporter
Defender of Defoko
I used to be afraid of others looking at my art but school pulled me out of it really quick...hard to pass an art school if the professors never see your work xD

But that's a professional environment so I guess it'd be different in a more personal one...but...why throw it away D': There's nowhere for you to stash your art so that it doesn't get damaged and you can continue it later? Like even a folder or something. I feel like throwing it away is such a waste of not only time but materials and effort. ;n;
 

PKLpikachu

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
I get really self-conscious when other people watch me draw, but I suck it up because I'm too afraid to tell them to stop watching... ^_^;
 

Ant

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
Thread starter
IrisFlower link said:
I used to be afraid of others looking at my art but school pulled me out of it really quick...hard to pass an art school if the professors never see your work xD

But that's a professional environment so I guess it'd be different in a more personal one...but...why throw it away D': There's nowhere for you to stash your art so that it doesn't get damaged and you can continue it later? Like even a folder or something. I feel like throwing it away is such a waste of not only time but materials and effort. ;n;

It's... kind of an instinct thing. >_< I have this drawer in my desk but I think it's too obvious. Still paranoid...
 

Meta

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
Well when your's SO paranoid you have to throw away drawings instead of just putting them in your drawer which is "too obvious," it sounds like your trying to hide yourself drawing porn.
 

Ant

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
Thread starter
Or maybe I'm not? Because maybe I'm not? >__>
 

Raiyux

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
I know how you feel...Whenever I'm drawing something on my tablet and my mom walks by me on the computer, I quickly minimize what I'm drawing or writing. And if I'm recording, I get especially embarrassed and just don't do it when she's home. I don't like people seeing things before they're done, unless I ask them to tell me what they think so far. I can't draw while people are watching, either. It makes me nervous and I can't even think.

Some things I just never show her...like anything even slightly violent (although I don't really draw violent things), or the super rare occasion I draw the only boy/boy ship that I like. The one time I drew something with blood, my mom flipped out. And she's also incredibly Christian, so I have good reason to hide the second one. But I find that the best place to hide that kind of stuff is on my laptop, because I'm the only one who uses it.

But unless you're drawing anything inappropriate, I say that you should relax a little. I know how it is to be uptight about the things you put effort into, but I don't think you need to go to the extreme of destroying or hiding your art. ^^
 

Fawkesy

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
When I draw I have to either be alone, or in like a corner so I can see everyone in the room. If they come over I minimize the drawing so they can't see, or if they surprise me I shut my laptop. xD
I can color with people watching though, because I like coloring. xD
 

Raiyux

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
Fawkesy link said:
When I draw I have to either be alone, or in like a corner so I can see everyone in the room. If they come over I minimize the drawing so they can't see, or if they surprise me I shut my laptop. xD

Same here! Only...I can't shut my laptop anymore because there's a loose connection and the screen will never work again if I do. XD
 

KitWistful

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
I don't have this problem, although it feels awkward to work if somebody's staring at you XD Which, most people have short attention spans, thankfully : P I think...this only really bothers me when family's over and I'm drawing, that can be awkward ;;orz for several standard reasons. But it's never bad enough for me to stop.

I think you should try to get used to it. If you keep doing it,  at some point you'll become comfortable with it, and whoever's in the room with you will come to understand it as business as usual XD You'll always get the odd question, or a person who is like OMG YOU DRAW?? YOU'RE AN ARTIST OMG, but it doesn't ordinarily last long enough to be a huge interference.

If people know that you draw, be prepared to get pencils for christmas for the rest of your life : P
 

IrisFlower

Precious Flower with Thorns
Supporter
Defender of Defoko
Ant link said:
[quote author=IrisFlower link=topic=3044.msg22368#msg22368 date=1344885358]
I used to be afraid of others looking at my art but school pulled me out of it really quick...hard to pass an art school if the professors never see your work xD

But that's a professional environment so I guess it'd be different in a more personal one...but...why throw it away D': There's nowhere for you to stash your art so that it doesn't get damaged and you can continue it later? Like even a folder or something. I feel like throwing it away is such a waste of not only time but materials and effort. ;n;

It's... kind of an instinct thing. >_< I have this drawer in my desk but I think it's too obvious. Still paranoid...
[/quote]

Then that's a serious problem ._. I mean I just...is your family that judgmental of you or do they just go digging through your things all the time? Cause if it's to the point where you can't even hide them so you can work on them later...I just don't get it....I think you honestly need to breath because no one should have to go about getting rid of their art that hinders you like you probably don't even know.
 

Dark3li

Teto's Territory
I used to have that issue xD I couldn't stand when people stared at me while I was trying to draw something "decent". I overcomed that fear 2 years ago, now It's ok for me if other people want to see what I draw (well, it depends on what I'm drawing lol xDD)

I think it's something normal that has happened to many of us :D once we get more confident with our habilities it becomes normal ><
 

Ant

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
Thread starter
I guess it's just something I need to get used to.

IrisFlower link said:
[quote author=Ant link=topic=3044.msg22725#msg22725 date=1345150468]
[quote author=IrisFlower link=topic=3044.msg22368#msg22368 date=1344885358]
I used to be afraid of others looking at my art but school pulled me out of it really quick...hard to pass an art school if the professors never see your work xD

But that's a professional environment so I guess it'd be different in a more personal one...but...why throw it away D': There's nowhere for you to stash your art so that it doesn't get damaged and you can continue it later? Like even a folder or something. I feel like throwing it away is such a waste of not only time but materials and effort. ;n;

It's... kind of an instinct thing. >_< I have this drawer in my desk but I think it's too obvious. Still paranoid...
[/quote]

Then that's a serious problem ._. I mean I just...is your family that judgmental of you or do they just go digging through your things all the time? Cause if it's to the point where you can't even hide them so you can work on them later...I just don't get it....I think you honestly need to breath because no one should have to go about getting rid of their art that hinders you like you probably don't even know.
[/quote]

Kinda, yeah. I'll show my brother an original song I made and no matter how good I thought it was he'd tell me "it's shit." Brothers are kind of like that, I guess, but sometimes I want to hear something positive. Not to mention my family thinks vocaloid is weird, so anything related to that I get nervous about discussing (pft, they don't even know what UTAU is, with the exception of my little brother).
 

Raiyux

Ruko's Ruffians
Defender of Defoko
Well, here's what I think...

It's really unfortunate that your family is like that. I don't have anybody in my family who really cares about UTAU/Voclaloid stuff, so I can understand how you feel. But I'm still able to share my art with them and they are surprisingly supportive of me. And I suppose I'm lucky for the fact that artistic skill runs in the family. But school is a different story for me. Whenever I doodle while at school, I do what you do--I scramble to hide it when I see someone coming. Anime style is apparently something to be made fun of. It's just not 'cool'. To that, I say whatever! But in any case, I make sure that there's no trace of that kind of stuff on me in public areas.

And of course, on occasion there'll be that moment where you're screaming on the inside because you accidentally let someone see your art. And they might even try and put you down or say that you suck. But that just happens! Trust me, I've had that kind of thing happen to me a bunch of times! And sure, it hurts. A lot. But that shouldn't ever be a reason to give up, so don't even think about it!

I suppose in your case, it's alright to put things where you think they won't be seen. But don't waste all your time and effort trying to discard the things you've worked hard on. If someone sees, oh well. If they're a jerkwad about it, oh well. It's their loss, really. It's ignorance! But you have a gift--you're not ignorant, you're creative and you can look beyond language barriers. You just can't let people put you down, just because they don't like what you're into.

Be strong. And if you think no one cares, look around you! We're trying to help you. What does that say to you? :wink:
 

Ant

Teto's Territory
Defender of Defoko
Thread starter
...You're completely right. I'm being ridiculous. UwU I'm going to try drawing this week, I don't care if anyone watches. I need to do some cover art for stuff anyway. Thanks.
 

Yamiko Heba

Momo's Minion
Fawkesy link said:
When I draw I have to either be alone, or in like a corner so I can see everyone in the room. If they come over I minimize the drawing so they can't see, or if they surprise me I shut my laptop. xD
I can color with people watching though, because I like coloring. xD

Lucky... If I do that my mom forces me to reopen it so she can see what I'm doing... She just does what she wants.... Yet she doesn't realize that I keep my stress art in a mislabeled  folder...