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Helen Davies

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Hi, I am learning to draw and find it easier to maintain my concentration on what I'm doing by having a running commentary going in my head along the lines of, "that line is just off the horizontal and about as long as xxx, the shading here is deeper then it lightens" etc. Is this a good thing or a bad habit to get into?

Peter Davison

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I should imagine most of us do something very similar all the time, both drawing and painting. The time to worry is when your internal commentary becomes an argument...and you are on the losing side!
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I think Stub has given you the perfect answer, and a very entertaining one. This isn't unusual in itself, although you may perhaps spell things out a bit more literally than most of us. It sounds as if you're analysing what you're doing, which is a good habit, not a bad one. I wouldn't worry about it - so long as you keep agreeing with yourself, obviously.
michael

Michael Edwards

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Perhaps a disagreement wiyth yourself is sometimes a good thing - it means you are questioning what you are seeing and doing.

Helen Davies

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Thanks everyone, that's very reassuring. Arguing with myself can now be justified. Excellent!!