I can't draw... but draw anyway

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I don't draw regularly, but I'll try to do it more often. I can't draw, obvious lack of - name them all - techniques and - name it - all I can't do.
I began to notice though, that drawing is like forefeeling for me. When I can't verbalize something (often), or can't express it through writing (more than I thought), I draw what I don't know yet I want to say sometimes, it's very intuitive if not entirely, compared to any other artisic activity I can do or try. Sometimes I look at a drawing when it's finished and know something new. It can be very emotionally freeing and even like a third eye vision.

These two are from today, and that one truly looks like an 8-year-old drawing. But I've learnt things intuitively from it, and that is great.

Good draws. Glad you put them here.

I draw for similar reasons.. never had any training or schooling for it or anything, but it really is helpful for me. I liken it to sticking a metaphorical faucet in my head and letting things out. I'm glad drawing is proving to be such a valuable outlet for you.

Thanks, it is a great outlet. I slept like a baby last night.

You can't see well...

Those are great!

Thanks. Challenge to draw the hand for me, but I think it doesn't look ridiculous. It took me forever and then I just watched my own hand because imagination or memory wasn't enough.
I'll try to do more things I don't know. Lots of things in mind, struggling with the skills needed.

Your artwork is fantastic! I especially love the first one

Thank you so much. That is encouraging.
The first one actually wears a touch of cynicism. It's gloomy but makes me laugh a little.

Why are they all blurred? Do you use a pencil and then blend it by rubbing?

Yes, I do that lately. But it shouldn't look this blurred. I fear the pictures aren't good. But it's all I have to take them.

Don't do that, that's my one piece of advice. It's not about the photos. Rubbing the pencil around is a common beginner's mistake. Just be confident in your lines. Otherwise, go for it! Plenty of artists are self taught. Use line strokes for shading, and use the direction of those lines to suggest volume. Pencil is one of my favorite media.

So why are there tools to blend graphite?

1. They sell.
2. It is possible to use it artistically, but wait until you are more advanced. It's not something you should depend on for shading. I would consider using it along with other techniques like smearing or using graphite sprays in liquid form, or applying powdered graphite. These things are usually a part of a particular artist's style that evolves over time. I hate to see beginners blending as a substitute for drawing. Also make sure to use an artist's pencil, the 2B is darker than a standard pencil, or go even softer to get darker. Beginners tend to be more timid. Blending encourages this trait. Don't be afraid to make a confident mark, even if it's "wrong". A good exercise is blind contour drawing. Get a huge pad of cheap paper (huge in size and number), and draw things without looking at your paper or pencil. Don't be concerned how it turns out. Learn to see a contour and move your hand around it on the paper. Don't make lots of small lines where one good one would work instead. A single expressive line is better than many.

I appreciate you taking the time, thank you. I always have questions and the problem is I learn better by watching, reading is totally abstract when it's anything other than imagination.

I bought a cheap A3 pad and the pensils I don't know. But it's hard to do the hair and small details with them.

Don't think of "hair and small details". Think of form and expression. It's not necessary to draw everything! Negative space (artist term for blank spots) can be as much a part of the composition as the other parts.