Tag: making

Like exercise, creative effort never seems like a good idea before I start. But, also like exercise, once it’s over, I never regret it.

To make the most of the intense creative moments of our lives, we need to spend time rigourously organising our tools and environment.

Reading, writing, speaking, and drawing don’t seem very connected, until you realise that each is working with the other to inform a more rounded view.

I painted 3 paintings yesterday, and when I look at them today, I can’t help but see they’re all terrible. But, they are less terrible than the ones I did the day before yesterday. And when I compare the ones I did the day before that to the ones I did 3 months before, or… Continue reading Yesterday’s work

There are two ways to approach a person with whom we disagree, dislike, or with whom we’re storming. The first way is to assume they’re stupid, or dumb, or toxic, or all of the above. In this mode, the easiest and most productive course of action is to walk away because, with this view, it’s… Continue reading Everyone is doing their best

If watercolour has taught me anything, it’s how to embrace a lack of control, believe in uncertainty and be comfortable with influencing outcomes, not ‘achieving’ them.

For an illustrator, the tools of the trade go beyond brushes, paper, and paint. The mind and the body also need the same, if not better, care and attention to deliver better quality work for longer.