Dominant and subordinate lines.
Go fishing.
What is this column? I’m going to do that classic “answer by saying what it’s not” thing. First, it’s not going to be the definitive answer on anything. It’s not going to be “the way”, I’m not going to preach from on high on how things should be done.
I draw for a living and in an age when folks are trying to crack the code to making art, but I want to share the human experience behind the images you all see. This business is wonderful and treacherous, I’ll share stories here about how I get by.
If that’s instructive, then cool. But none of this is gospel.
My name is Mike Hawthorne, and welcome to Draw is Life
It’s a new year. The time when many people are setting goals. Some just can’t muster up the motivation to set goals.
It’s 2025, robots are making “art”, and lots of fledgling artists are in the latter camp.
There was a time, back in the olden days, when people would start the new year with goals to draw better. Or more. Or both.
Nowadays more and more people are wondering what is the point? Either they just give in and use AI to make their own “art” and others who feel like there’s no use in trying.
My personal opinion is that AI gives people fish. I want to learn to fish. The line, to me, is clear. But I digress.
In art there’s this idea of dominant and subordinate lines. Basically it means there are lines that run the show, having been placed in a prominent part of the composition or drawn in a way that makes it stand out. Then there are lines, equally important, that exist to support those lines.
I won’t get into the concept too deeply here, that’s a column for another day, but I will say that when I think of the dominant and subordinate lines concept I think of Alex Toth. Toth’s work is the epitome of this idea to me.
Toth preached the idea of getting rid of everything but the essentials, then drawing the hell out of what’s left. That, to me, is some Zen shit. You focus on only the things you need, then dedicate yourself to that and nothing else. You stop worrying about anything but the lines you absolutely need.
The dominant and subordinate lines concept is knowing what to focus on and what to deemphasize in art, but to me it also carries over to life.
If you’re looking to use AI to replace the effort needed to draw well, then…I don’t know, good luck? Maybe this column is not for you, so.. Uh.. go listen to a tech-bro podcast or something.
If you’re fretting over AI and that’s keeping you from drawing, well…then quit I guess. I won’t judge you. Drawing is hard, so if you’re easily derailed then go learn a skill you are passionate about. One that won’t be so derailed by robots…(again, good luck?)
If you’re still here, then it’s time for me to say… get past your hang ups.
AI is here. You can’t stop it, nor can I. What you can stop is it’s living rent free in your head. Hell, “rent free” isn’t strong enough. Stop letting it keep you from doing something you want to do.
Your “dominant line” is to draw, your “subordinate line” is whatever helps get you to drawing. Be it new supplies, art books, a drawing class, whatever works.
Ignore everything else.
Go fishing.
My kid, who is brilliant, dropped her newest Substack! You gotta check it out.
If you’re feeling stuck about drawing, try out my Draw Cheat Codes books. They’re full of easy to understand drawing hacks to improve your drawings quickly!
Ivan Brandon is a fantastic writer, editor and behind-the-scenes-advisor. His Substack is also great.
Unfortunately, he’s also recovering form a horrible accident. He shattered his femur on some NYC subway stairs and has been working hard to get better.
This is all after having survived a heart attack in 2022.
I’ve known him for 20 years so trust me when I say asking for help is very difficult for him, but this is America so he could use our help.
I hope you’ll consider chipping in to his GoFundMe.
Thank you!
Your boy,
Mike
Want to support my work AND get Blackwing pencils like the ones I use?
Use this link and get some of the best pencils in the world : https://blackwing602.com/mikehawthorne
