Monday, 18 January 2010

Chill Out Woman!


I've been sketching new characters for my project, working in my A4 sketchbook. I find this quite intense and so can't seem to do it for very long at a stretch. I find I'm continually breaking off to check emails and Facebook (...OK, that's normal, but this is even worse than normal).



I got a bit grumpy with my first efforts too, but that's the way it is when I start off. Though I've been doing lots of observational drawing recently, sketching from my imagination feels completely different, so I still need to warm up to it.

Next day, when I looked back on the first afternoon's work, it was actually fine. I don't know what the grumpiness and anxiety is about: it's illogical, but probably not so unusual. Chill out woman! And get back to work!!

11 comments:

Lauren Tobia said...

Ha ha doing the same thing....

Maja said...

I suffer from similar 'creative grumpiness' symptoms. I'm currently busy with a new book and I'm having trouble sitting down and just doing it. Often wander off to investigate what is in the fridge or draw a doodle in my sketch book. Even cleaning my studio seems appealing... If you ever find a 'cure' please let me know about it. My only quick fix is last minute panic! :)

Lynne the Pencil said...

Ha ha - it's reassuring to hear that I am not alone. A bizarre phenomonon though...

Cally Johnson-Isaacs said...

Great work Lynne, I adore your characters. Good luck with the rest of the project! :)

Mary Lou Rosato-Caine said...

I too can relate to the comments above, and your process of stops and goes. I was doing fine with reference, once I started to create a character from imagination, boy was I rusty! Of course then self doubt starts to plague me. From past experience I know as long as I stick to it, it passes. Crazy the whole process of making art, and in my case, insecurity! Thanks Lynn your post helped :) I have one more drawing left to finish and then I can color! Yay!

Krista said...

Lynne, these are adorable! Doesn't it seem like what you thought were messy, uninspired sketches seem to "settle down" and look better after a break?

I had to laugh out loud when I read your post and the comments-- I call it "Creative Insanity" and it always happens when I'm starting something new. I pace, eat, check email for the 50,000th time (really, I'm not that popular!) sit for a minute, look for chocolate, walk the dog... it just goes on and on. Once I get through it and have my concept set and sketches going I can paint for hours and don't want to stop.

Happy Creating to you!

Jess said...

It's so cheering to know that so many of us are the same! These sketches are wonderful but I know so well the feeling while they're in the making of being utterly rubbish. I hope you can see how lovely they are now Lynne :)

Lynne the Pencil said...

Thanks for your sweet reassurances, all.

I am actually avoiding the issue today, by dealing with incoming school visit stuff - probably a very bad idea, as it'll put me back to square one again tomorrow!

Kinga said...

Hello Lynne,
This is a quick comment to let you know I made a deal with myself. Each day I divide my workload into segments. I give myself an hour for each segment.
If I work efficiently and manage to finish before the hour runs up as
a reward I get to read your blog for whatever is left of that hour!
It proves to be very motivating!

Thanks for helping make it through my mind-numbing 9 to 5 (5.30 actually)

Lynne the Pencil said...

Ha ha - you're welcome: I'm flattered to be considered a reward!

Anonymous said...

the doodles are so cute and at the same time attractive even to the old viewers, haha! keep it up and keep inspiring all the artists with your brilliant works!

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