Watercolour, acrylics, crayons. Different mediums produce different results and the potential can be overwhelming. So, which one should you stick with?
Category: Starting
What are you doing with all your extra time?
With a supercomputer in our pockets now, we’re supposed to have extra time to do all things that we love – family, friends, art. But is this what we’re doing now?
Am I missing out on Art School?
I’m a self-taught professional artist. I’ve only just recently started saying that to myself, and it feels really good. I’m proud of it. I managed my way into an industry by taking a different path; one that’s far less trodden but more accessible than ever. But. I haven’t done ‘official’ training, and that still worries… Continue reading Am I missing out on Art School?
There’s no such thing as Creative Block
I have a confession to make – I’ve never suffered from creative block. What’s my secret? I think it’s acknowledging that creative block doesn’t exist. “What?!” I hear you say. Please, bear with me. One of my favourite thinkers is Seth Godin. He’s been running a blog for years and posts Every. Single. Day. They… Continue reading There’s no such thing as Creative Block
Why bother with making art?
Why should I paint? Why should I draw? What gives me the right to ‘waste time’ on either? It’s not productive. No one is buying it. I could be doing something valuable. It’s taking up space in the house. I can’t get rid of this stuff. No one is buying it. What happened to us?… Continue reading Why bother with making art?
How to: sketch with words
I’ve never really identified with being a ‘literary’ person. And yes, I’m aware of the irony given I’m an author/illustrator. I’ve always identified with being a more visual person rather than a wordsmith. As a kid, I remember drawing a lot, but I don’t remember reading or writing very much. To me, the term ‘literary’… Continue reading How to: sketch with words
Where do ideas come from?
People ask me, ‘Where do you get your ideas?’ And, like most writers, I have the standard answer, “From life.” But I know it’s not a good answer. It’s vague, unhelpful, and to be honest, a bit of a cop-out. A better answer would be, “It’s complicated” or “I actually don’t know”. But that’s also… Continue reading Where do ideas come from?
Your only competition is you
Competition has a lot of benefit. History is littered with examples of how rivalry pushed humans to achieve more in a shorter time. This is great if faster and ‘more’ are your goals. But not everyone needs to be faster, or make more. I scroll through my algorithmically-driven Instagram feed maybe once every few days.… Continue reading Your only competition is you
Should I find a literary agent?
A few thoughts on why I think a literary agent was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career