Finding Beauty in the 'Mistakes'

The art of imperfection

Dear one,

Take a deep breath with me. Place your hand on your heart. Feel the rise and fall of your chest.

Centred? Let’s chat.

We are going to talk about ‘mistakes’ today.

I may not convince you, and that is ok, because I am fully prepared to tell you over and over again, but there really aren’t any such thing as ‘mistakes’ in creativity and art making. There is only learning, and opportunities to practice and to keep going.

I am also going to remind you right now, that as catastrophic as it can feel sometimes, what we think of as a mistake in our art making is really just…ok.

Nothing drastic will happen. The sun shall also rise the next morning. It might feel crappy, but it is really not at all bad, not in the scheme of things. Sometimes we need to be reminded about perspective, because we are so good at being in our own minds, that what we are framing as a mistake in our brains becomes being chased by a sabretooth tiger in our body. She cannot know the difference in level of our upset unless we tell her, and will react accordingly, which send the whole experience in a spiral.

But always, I want to assure you, making a ‘mistake’ in art is really just, ok.

Now that we are centred, and in this together, let me tell you a story.

I just got finished with a sketchbook page of a gorgeous sulphur-crested cockatoo. And if you look really closely (but probably not, though I can see it clear as day) there is a shadow of an eye that was in the wrong place. I had rendered that eye almost fully, convinced it was right where it should be. But it wasn’t. And so I needed to erase the eye as much as I could without damaging the page, and just keep going anyway. I hoped that the value of the feathers around it would cover it enough, and it is fine, but I can still see it.

That’s the funny thing, right? Mostly only we know about our ‘mistakes’. Mostly no one else notices. Mostly they still wouldn’t notice it even if you point it out. So maybe we can give ourselves permission not to be worried by it either.

Your turn. Think about the last time you made a 'mistake' in your drawing. Perhaps a line went astray, or a proportion seemed off and you couldn’t figure out how to fix it. How did you feel? Be honest. If you're like most of us, you probably felt a twinge of frustration, maybe even disappointment. And sometimes, that feeling is way more amplified and your body heads into the fight or flight or freeze territory.

But oh, my friend, these 'mistakes' are actually your ace-up-the-sleeve!

When we have the heartfelt desire to capture the beauty of the wild world in the way that we do, we often forget that nature itself is gloriously imperfect. The bird with worn-out feathers, the deer with the crooked antler – these 'imperfections' are what make each being unique, what gives them character and life.

So why should our art be any different?

I am going to share with you a simple exercise that has transformed my approach to wildlife sketching. I call it the "Wild and Free" technique, and it's all about embracing those beautiful 'mistakes'.

The "Wild and Free" Technique

1. Choose an animal to sketch. It can be from a photo, or even better, from life if you have the opportunity.

2. Grab your sketchbook and a pencil. Any pencil will do – remember, we're embracing imperfection here! Make it a decent size piece of paper - at least printer paper size - so you can draw with your whole body (wild and free, remember!)

3. Set a timer for 2 minutes.

4. When you start the timer, begin sketching your chosen animal. But here's the twist – you're not allowed to lift your pencil from the paper, and try to keep your eyes on the reference more than what you are doing. Let your hand roam wild and free, just like the animal you're drawing. Find the big shapes, then start to see deeper, refining those shapes a little.

5. When the timer goes off, step back and look at your sketch.

Now, here's where the magic happens (if you let it). Instead of focusing on what went 'wrong', I want you to approach your sketch with curiosity and compassion. Use the same loving kindness language you might use if a little one who is dear to you might look for if they showed you this drawing. Ask yourself:

• What unexpected details emerged from this free-flowing line?

• How did this continuous line capture the movement or energy of the animal?

• What do you love about this imperfect sketch?

You might be surprised by what you discover. Maybe that wobbly line perfectly captured the softness of fur. Perhaps an unexpected loop gave your animal a sense of motion you hadn't planned.

This exercise isn't about creating a perfect representation. It's about connecting with your subject, letting go of control, and allowing your wild creativity to flow freely. It's about finding beauty in the unexpected, just as we do when we observe wildlife in nature. It is about seeing, and then seeing more.

Remember, every line you make is a celebration of life, a moment of connection between you and the wild world. There are no mistakes – only opportunities for discovery and growth.

So, my wild-hearted friend, I challenge you to embrace your 'mistakes'. Let them guide you to new creative territories. Let them be the unique fingerprint of your artistic voice.

For a deeper exploration of how to celebrate imperfection in your wildlife art, check out the full blog post on my website. There, you'll find additional tips to help you transform your 'mistakes' into the very essence of your artistic style.

Keep sketching, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep embracing every wild and wonderful line your hand creates. Your unique voice is waiting to be discovered, and the wild world is ready to be celebrated through your beautifully imperfect art.

I am so honoured to be walking this wild world with you!

PS: After trying the 'Wild and Free' technique, what surprising element emerged in your sketch that you absolutely love? I'd be thrilled to hear about your experience – reply to this email and let's chat about our beautifully imperfect art!

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