Getting your drawing mojo on after a day's work?
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@AndyIllo Yeah absolutely - it's important not to turn it into stress or start viewing it as a chore. There's no doubt that there will be days where I just can't. some days I get home at 8pm and don't even have the energy to cook or workout so I know on those days nothing will happen. But all of your tips have been super helpful in helping make a plan for those days when I should give myself a kick up the backside and do it!!! Now it'll be easier to get it going! Thanks!!
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@ShannonBiondi That's a really good idea and great to hear that you have a goal for this year so you know what to focus on when you feel like drawing
I'm not too sure what would help with drawing the human figure, are there any life drawing classes near you? They really helped me when I was learning to draw people, or maybe asking people at home to pose for you sometimes (not nude like in life drawing obviously haha)!
I think it just comes down to practice, which is what you say you're going to do this year, so I bet by the end of the year you'll be a pro at drawing the human figure -
@hannahmccaffery Fingers crossed!! There is a life drawing class near me but you have to send a portfolio in to be considered for it and I haven't had the courage to submit one yet. I think I'll work from videos over the summer and then will send in a portfolio in September. I should hopefully have something a bit better to show by then!!
I bought a Udemy class and it's a great gesture drawing class that's helping me a lot!
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@ShannonBiondi I did a challenge a couple of months ago that may help
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It was a sketchbook challenge. To draw AT LEAST 5 minutes each day in a sketchbook. This is something I struggle with. I would think, “I have time for 5 minutes. It doesn’t have to be pretty or special just practice”. Most of the days during the challenge I would end up staying with it for WAY more than 5 minutes. I ended up one night working for hours. I just needed that little jump start of “it’s just 5 minutes” to get me going. And if i only did 5 minutes, at least i did something. -
@ShannonBiondi Hi Shannon
This is a tough problem indeed, I mean after a full day of work, buying groceries, cooking, clenaing, working out, who could have the energy to get some MORE work done? Like @hannahmccaffery said a lot of it has to do with habit, but also I think you may need to restructure some of your day to allow for more time after work. For instance, if you buy groceries and cook every night that is a LOT of time gone. Instead, you can try to batch it. Buy groceries for a few days or even for the whole week, then prepare some meals in advance that you can stock in your fridge or freezer. If you get home and all you have to do is grab your dinner from the fridge, re-heat it in the microwave and eat it (no errands, no cooking, no clean up), that's a huge saving of both time and energy that you can then dedicate to drawing.
You may have to experiment and find something that works for you. For instance, I cook 3 recipes in big portions (6-8 portions per meal) during the weekend and stock them for the whole week. But that only works because I like eating my favorite meals over and over and I don't mind eating only 3 recipes all week. Some people really want to eat something different ever single night. If that's the case for you, maybe you can alternate drawing and cooking days: 1 day you cook 2 meals (one for that day, one for the next day) and the other day, you eat your pre-made meal and draw. Those are just a few examples of things you can do. I do think that with your current schedule you're in a bit of an impossible scenario. There are just so many hours in a day and so much energy we have. If you really want to fit in drawing into your schedule, you likely have to make some changes to your habits to accommodate that.
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Hello, I usually try to grab a couple of hours to myself in the evening once the child is in bed. I put my headphones on, turn up the music and scribble away on clip studio.
I find 80's/ 70's music is a real boost to creativity!
I highly recommend Joan Jett or even Ozzy Osbourne? -
The honest truth is that I usually can't draw/do art in the evenings. My job just drains me and I'm often tired/angry/depressed/resentful/whatever in the evenings - not a good mindset for art. So instead, I get up an hour early in the mornings (usually). It's much easier to work in the morning when I'm fresh, and it really can help with my mood for the day because I know I took an hour to do something important to ME before doing all the stuff other people want done.
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There are some great suggestions here. This is something I’ve struggled with a lot. Music helps a bunch but I also find that a focus on removing options and obstacles can make it possible to get that extra bit of art in the day.
Removing obstacles is all about making it as easy as possible to draw, no materials to find, no stairs to climb, no decisions to make. For me, this meant getting a lap desk and pencil case to put next to the comfy corner of the couch. I wind up in this spot when I’m tired naturally. Now whenever I wind up here I have the unappealing option of sitting vacantly staring at the wall or I can reach down and grab those art supplies.
Removing options, has meant making digital devices and distraction more difficult to get to than art supplies. My studio has no wi-fi. I moved the charging station for all my gadgets away from my comfy spots. And, many years ago I got rid if my TV.
It’s funny how just making things a tiny bit more convenient has resulted in a lot more artwork getting done. I hope some part of this helps.
I read once that the mind is like an elephant and will power is like a rider. The mind is much more powerful than the rider but isn’t good at strategy. If the rider tries to over direct, the elephant will grow tired of following the rules and charge off completely disregarding the rider, so a smart rider chooses battles wisely and creates situations the give the elephant direction without having to exert force. It’s a tricky thing guiding a mind.
I’m so glad you posted this topic. Getting everyone’s thoughts has helped me a lot.
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Also, please please don't forget that there are other things you can/need do to help you become a better artist that don't have anything to do with investing time in the sketchbook.
Yes, ultimately, it's about developing artistic skill, but illustration is about so much more than just technical proficiency. That's the hardest part to grow and nurture, but there's a mountain of information about the field to know, and sometimes a great deal of self-development to work on as well.
I'm realizing that if I really want to make a go at making this something real and not something akin to a hobby, there's a lot of self-educating I have to do as well. There are literally dozens of books that I have on my reading list, ranging from selling things on-line, to history of illustration and simply staying abreast of the children's illustration world. It's surprising how just reading the KidLit411 weekly email can spiral into an entire evening of web-delving and reading. I have a literal stack of children's books I want to read. Art books... <sigh> There is so much more I feel like I need to do over and above just the illustrating part.
So if you're not feeling the creative juice, take the time to fill up your Creativity Bank. Do that Julia Cameron Artist Date thing, and have confidence that just because you're not putting paint to paper you are still investing in your future. Watch that art film and digitally save some screenshots of really cool lighting or a great environment. Go for that walk and take pictures of that gorgeous landscaping, the park equipment, or that path you admire. Watch some YouTube interviews or tutorials.
I guess what I'm saying is that even when you feel fatigued, there are passive things you can still indulge in without feeling like you're not using your time wisely or you're wasting precious moments by not being able to be "on" 24/7. If you purposefully schedule in a couple "research nights" instead of "sketchbook appointments" you might feel less frustrated. And you'd still be moving toward what you want. My 2¢.
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Hi Shannon, I'm actually in the exact sameplace you are. Working full-time as a statistical researcher, and trying to learn the basics of drawing the human figure for illustration. What really helps me to my drawing in the evenings at the moment is the live class we're doing on heads and hands. The fact that I need to turn in my homework is a huge motivator to pick up my iPad and start drawing.
I totally get the fact that while we're learning, the exercises can get tedious, and the results are usually not very motivating.So, since we're both at a similar stage in our development, struggling with the same thing, how would you like to have a studypartner? We could help eachother out when we struggle, keep ourselves accountable during self study. I also purchased a few Udemy classes, but can never keep myself motivated to finish them, or really spend time doing the sometimes tedious exercises. For me it would be a huge help to work at them with someone else, to force me to do the work, and to cheer on when things get rough. We can set weekly goals for example, share our progress.... What do you think?
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@burvantill That's a good idea, Lisa. I can imagine that you would draw way longer than 5 minutes once you pick up your sketchpad and pencil. I find the same thing happens when I don't feel like working out - I tell myself to just do 5 minutes of squats and pushups. By the time I've put on my workout gear and runners, I end up doing my full 40mins. It's a great mind trick!
The thing with me is that I probably do already sketch around 1-2hrs during work. The issue is that I don't feel I make a lot of progress in that time as my practice is very mindless - more like doodles or reptitive redraws of features, etc.
At the moment I'm struggling to get in some good quality practice, where I'm really mindful of what I'm doing and improving to the max. I think all the tips you all have given me are really going to help though. Maybe taking that "just 5 min" appproach in the evening will allow me to buckle down on my down time!
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@NessIllustration I totally agree. Somthing needs to change!!
One thing I'm determined not to shift is my 40min workout. I got into the daily habit 2yrs ago and it's precious me-time that I think is super important in my work-life balance.
Something can definitely be done re groceries and cooking though. The thing is that on weekends, I already prep all my lunches for the week. So I'm going to have to workout when to prepare dinners! I could also start ordering my groceries delivered too but we have one of those useless mini freezers - so freezing isn't really an option sadly. Only room for a bag of peas and two portions of chicken in the damn thing. That really limits how far ahead I can buy groceries and prepare food.
I'll work something out! Thanks for highlighting this aspect of it for me
It's a very concrete thing that would instantly free up time.
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@lou Nice! Haha! Yeah music is such a great source of inspiration isn't it? I'll check those recommendations out. Ozzy is a class act. I used to love the duet he made with his daughter - 'Changes' I think it was called - when I was a teenager.
I honestly am so impressed by all those of you who have kids and jobs and still find the time to draw. Hats off to you guys. Super dedication right there.
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@Kat I'm in a very fortunate position in that I actually really like my full-time job and I'm also self-employed, so I always work on my own terms. But I used to work as an employee and I totally understand that frustration you feel. I used to feel like I wasn't living my life for myself sometimes. I hated being accountable to other people and being told what to do/when to do it. There were many times it got so bad I'd feel sick waking up in the morning at the thought of going to work.
I think if you're in that situation, drawing before work is a great option. I also think that @burvantill 's suggestion to do that 5 min sketch challenge could work well for you in the evening to alleviate some of that stress and frustration. That way you would start off the daying doing something you love, as well as end the day doing something you love
Maybe we should both try it for a week and see how it goes!
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@sketchbook Such a great tip. You're absolutely right. I'm definitely going to ditch the drawing desk upstairs for a while and will focus on simply drawing on the sofa where - like you - I end up most evenings when I'm tired!! I've also started to really limit the art supplies within reach as I found having too many to choose from was distracting! I also have not had a TV in over a decade so that sorts that distraction
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@Coreyartus Thanks for this very important reminder. You're right - it's just as important to invest in your creative bank account as it is to draw.
Having listened to one of the 3 Point Perspective podcasts, I realised a few months ago that I was guilty of one thing that Jake flagged though, which was consuming more than I was creating. I got really sucked into watching a tonne of tutorials, reading articles, searching Pinterest boards - and all the while I was doing very little actual drawing.
So at the moment I'm trying to flip things the other way, with a greater emphasis on creating (while not eliminating the other aspect but just reducing the proportion of time I spend consuming). On days when I don't feel like creating, I try to focus on Lee White's dream portfolio exercise. And since my main focus is on illustrating comics and graphic novels some day, I've starting reading a lot more of those recently.
I tend to feel guilty when I read comics though because it's so enjoyable it doesn't feel like constructive work
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@Annemieke Anne! What a fantastic idea!! Yes yes yes! I would love this! I'll PM you and we can see what the best way to keep in touch is/make a plan! Thanks for reaching out and suggesting this.
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Wow, @ShannonBiondi, thank you for starting this amazing thread. I'm learning a lot just reading how you and the rest go about managing your time and energy to do art.
This has come at a really interesting time for me, since I'm just now beginning a full-time job as an art teacher to kids, after months of working on freelance projects from home.
On the one hand, I'm so pleased that I'll be able to sustain myself financially and work with kids (I'm super thankful!) and on the other, I wonder what it will be like to suddenly have all of the personal art time I had to myself taken away from me.
@burvantill's suggestion to just draw for 5 minutes totally works - it is what I've often used when I just cannot bring myself to do anything creative. I tell myself "just 5 minutes," and yes, it ends up being hours long sometimes.
The guideline I'm setting for myself to best navigate this full-time job situation is basically this, and I hope it would be helpful to someone.:
- Squeeze at least an hour in each working day.
- On off-days dedicate at least 3 hours to deep work.
- Always have an ongoing project (or two or three).
- Sketch new concepts in sketchbook whenever possible (while waiting around, commuting, first thing in the morning, etc.)
In the past I totally ignored the last two pointers, and I floundered majorly as a result. I didn't know what to draw or paint, so I did all sorts of things in my free art time: portraits some days, master studies or landscapes on other days, etc. I desperately needed what I have today - direction in the form of fixed projects with constraints.
All the best, Shannon. Also, good job on the workouts! It is very helpful and inspiring to hear about it. It is something I need to get back into, haha.
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@animatosoor Congratulations on getting that teaching job!!! It will be so cool to teach kids your passion! Well done
I think art class is always the most fun for kids in school. It was for me anyway!
The 5 min challenge is definitely an awesome tool. I'm sure after a week or two of adjusting to the new routine you'll find a way to make everything work. I hope if you run into any difficulties that all the tips and tricks everyone has shared will help!!
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@ShannonBiondi Thank you for your wishes, Shannon! I know art and English classes were my respite from everything else back when I was schooling.
I'm determined to make this work. Just know that you have my support as well. I understand you are looking to make a transition to becoming an illustrator full-time, and I endeavour to do the same. We can support each other - as I'm sure the rest will - whilst on our individual journeys.