030: Find Your Balance

Wherein we discuss that not all lines drawn are

Quick shout out and big thank you to all the artists participating in the PROMPTOBER drawing challenge. Truly incredible work out there.

And even though we’re halfway through, I think there’s still time to catch up! Don’t overthink them, and remember, even a small pencil sketch counts!

I was happy to see my old friend Barry Linck jumping in to catch up… check out what he did:

The smart thing Barry is doing here, he’s not only catching up, but he’s put them into sketch cards that will be for sale at his table at his next show coming up.

A big problem I used to have.

I used to think that every line I drew had to count toward something I was actively working on. I barely sketched or practiced anymore. This also plagues a lot of Tattoo artists I speak to.

When it felt like only “work”, it began to suck the joy out of the act of drawing.

When that happens, we can start to take for granted this amazing ability we have as artists to draw something out of nothing… like magic.

“It's amazing what simple sketching can do for you. All comics all the time makes Barry an anxious boy. Note to self: Sketch more.” - Barry Linck

In Barry’s case he’s been drawing his comics for ages now. He’s a machine. But recently, he’s been questioning his creative journey and feeling a little stuck. Drawing can be painful for Barry now, not because of the mixed emotions, but he also is dealing with a bum hand from a car accident injury. It gets stiff, sore and tight.

He still pushes through all of that. It’s not really because he loves to draw comics, as he might have thought… it’s simpler than that.

He loves the act of drawing itself.

As I said, when it starts to feel like a chore, or little to no engagement from your audience… it can really drain the creative spirit and make you question reality.

Barry said this in a comment on Facebook:

“I get in the mindset that if it's not for my comic, or a comic page it's a waste of energy and time.”- Barry

Do you ever feel this way?

If you do, I want to encourage you to find the balance for yourself.

If art happens to be your full-time job, please find time to sketch for fun, or even do these drawing prompts, even only just 10 minutes a day. It’s even better to do it along with others and engage with one another and share info and tool talk. (we’re in this together!) Use the tag #drawordieclub to find your people out there.

Same goes for if art is just your passion. Don’t let your day job or life around you make you put your passions last. Take charge of your own destiny.

Real Talk

I’ve had some really tough weeks at work. I enjoy the work but it can really tend to take over your life.

I’ve been in non-stop day job work mode since Vidsummit. Which lead into two weeks of intense workshops from 8:30-5:30pm, then not being able to get home until after 7 or 8pm with barely any energy left for me.

On busy days, weeks, months, seeing all the #drawordieclub drawings and messages from other artists refuels me.

That gives me a little more gas in my tank to devote to my art. So thank you again!

In addition to all I have going on at work, I also have a childrens book project due in less than 10 days! That came up fast.

People ask me, how do I personally juggle all this?

I was waking up at 4am to get a couple hours of coloring in before I had to make the work commute. It may sound crazy but I also love it.

Personally, it makes me feel a little more alive.

On those days I don’t get to draw anything, I’m not a happy camper. I’m downright irritable and anxious.

The extra daily prompts don’t feel like work to me, or a chore… they feel like good medicine.

Medicine I hope you try too!

The Weekly Drawing Prompt

This week’s prompt is…

“Big, Hairy, and Hungry.”

The secret twist this week is… include a flannel.

Don’t forget Daily Drawing Prompt Subscribers get daily twists and special drawing prompts. Try it for free for 7 days.

See you back here soon!

👁 Connect with me elsewhere? I’m @djcoffman on Instagram / TikTok / Twitter

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