Tag: recommendation

Quick Prompt – Build Your Memory

Quick Prompt – Build Your Memory

by ehueston ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A good way to work up your memory as an illustrator is to practice!

If you’re an artist who works off of subject matter (drawing people in the park, still lives, life drawing), getting the most out of each glance is huge. It will save you bobbing your head all over the place to get one piece done.

This exercise is great for that. It’s also just a fun exercise for if you’re a little stuck creatively, and give you a bit of a challenge.

I actually did this prompt this time, so I can show you what I did. I am hoping to do this a little more so we can work on these together.

Here’s what I did. You can adjust your times and subject matter however you see fit.

I started with a subject, in this case a plant and a ballerina statue. I had all of my drawing supplies ready to go. I did one piece at a time, and I started by looking at the object for one minute. No drawing or anything, just looking, taking note of angles, shapes, etc. And then I drew it. I didn’t give myself a time limit, I just drew until my memory tapped out.

You can try this to get started and then slowly increase the time that you look at your subject, or maybe put a time limit on how long you have to get the image on paper. Whatever you do, it will be good practice. In time you’ll be amazed at what you’ll pick up.

How did your images turn out?

Quick Prompt – Don’t Look Away

Quick Prompt – Don’t Look Away

by ehueston ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Another really interesting technique that we used in school to get loosened up was to draw without lifting your pencil.

This exercise really helped us to really look at what we were seeing and visualize what space was taken up by the object and how that connects to the page.

To add another level to this, try not looking at your paper at all while you do this. Keep your eyes trained on your object, your pen to your paper, and see where that takes you.

In the end you might have an amazing base for a painting of your object, or a brand new idea for something entirely different. Only one way to find out… let’s give it a try!

Creativity – Are You Having Any Fun?

Creativity – Are You Having Any Fun?

by ehueston ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Have fun, do your best work.

– David Carson

I really could just stop the post here. This quote says it all. It really is a huge ingredient into the creativity that you feel you have or don’t have. If you’re having fun, it really shows and inspires you to keep going.

I know that I am proudest of the work that comes out of pure enjoyment of the creation. Did I learn something new? Am I drawing something that inspires me? Did I get to throw any paint?

Ensuring that I am having fun is something that really produces a great final result. This was something that I had at a bit of a disconnect with when it came to some customer or freelance work. The idea wasn’t mine, or the direction isn’t always one I would necessarily chose to take, so I had to create the excitement for myself. Sometimes I found that fun in doing some outrageous roughs off the top (I actually got a few really great final results from that process), sometimes it’s using a technique I would use in my personal work and bring it into some graphic designs, and sometimes it’s just dancing to my favourite songs while I work.

If you’re not having any fun, you’re not going to enjoy the process and might even claim that you are not creative. That is still not the case, I will not allow it! You just might not be creative in THAT way. Maybe paint isn’t your medium, maybe writing on the computer doesn’t give you the same excitement that pen and paper might. Creating while you watch TV may not be what your brain needs to let the ideas flow. Are you trying to force any part of the process rather than letting it flow more naturally? There are dozens of possibilities, you just need to do a little investigation.

Creating should be fun, it’s really what it is there for. When it’s not fun, it’s time to try something different. Maybe change the medium, location, subject matter, environment… or something simple like the tea you’re drinking. But I do promise, when you’re having fun, you are going to love the work you do so much more. Even if the final result might not be what you’re looking for originally, it will give off the good vibes that you just can’t resist.

How do you make your creative time fun?

Quick Prompt – Un-Blank the Page

Quick Prompt – Un-Blank the Page

by ehueston ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Almost any illustrator, painter, writer, or the like, will tell you that at some point they’ve stared down the white page, probably more than once. There is few things more intimidating than a blank page and that wall of block that comes through when you look at it.

How do you fix it? Make the page not blank any more. Yes. Just that.

Throw down a random line. Toss a few different colours on the canvas. Start listing what comes to mind. Anything. Now it’s not a blank page anymore. You’ve already created a something. It might not be done, but it is on its way. Congratulations!

Personally I like to throw down some random things on a page to get started. One tool I really like for this is spray ink. I bought these a few years ago and they are little spray bottles filled with coloured inks. I like this because it creates a random pattern that might spark an idea or design.

If you have the energy and the resources it’s fun to create a few non-blank pages for yourself ahead of time. We all hit a roadblock now and again. It’s good to know you have something to prompt you whenever you get stuck. They are also a fun way to experiment with new tools and processes.

So let’s give it a try!

Creativity – Feel Excited!

Creativity – Feel Excited!

by ehueston ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I talk quite a bit on my livestreams about projects that I am excited about. These are the projects that stand out in my mind before and after their development, the projects that I really spend a lot of real time with, and projects that I learn a lot from.

I know that feeling when I get an idea, that there is going to be something great on the other end of a project. That’s my favourite feeling. It makes me want to research, it makes me want to draw the vision I had, and I want that final piece to have my name on it. Create it! These projects should always be what you are creating in my mind. Life is too short to do art that doesn’t excite you.

I am not really “in the industry” right now. I have a full time job, so my studio work is more for fun. But I know from talking to other artists who are in the industry that you’re only going to get hired for the work that you put out there. So, put out something you are passionate about. If you don’t like doing logos, don’t put them out there. People will think that you do that all of the time and hire you for it, and you’ll be stuck doing logos forever. If you don’t like drawing butterflies, don’t put them on the socials, or you risk becoming the butterfly drawer.

Put out work that excites you. It really shows in the final piece if you enjoyed the project or not. I know I can generally tell by looking at my own pieces what I loved and what I did because it matched the brief. If you put out the work that you love doing, then the right people will be drawn in to your work. This creates even more opportunity to do these exciting projects!

I know that sometimes the freelance/client facing side does provide its limitations. It’s not always possible, but when I am in that situation, I try to put something in the initial sketches or final design that speaks more to me. Maybe adding a pattern to an infographic instead of flat colour. Trying something in a different way. Sometimes you can find that excitement in the dullest of project briefs.

What I am saying is, do work that you love and you will attract more opportunities to do it. This applies to all styles of art and work. And get creating! A list of cool potential projects doesn’t really count (I am talking to me here too lol).

What projects are you excited about right now?

Creativity – Everyone Started Somewhere

Creativity – Everyone Started Somewhere

by ehueston ♥ 2 Comments

You’re never going to be immediately good at something you’ll do it right eventually.

– Billie Eilish

One thing that I hear from a lot of people is “oh, I could never do that”. There tends to be this idea that I just woke up able to do this one day and here we are. Like with anything, to get somewhere takes some work.

There was a quote at MAX last year that really stuck out to me:

“Without beginners there would be no experienced artists” Just try.

It’s completely true about anything. Writers don’t tend to pop out a masterpiece the first time they put pen to paper. Engineers don’t put together a bridge in their sleep. Doctors don’t start with brain surgery.

At one point DaVinci didn’t know how to read. There was a time where Jane Goodall knew nothing about chimpanzees. Even Elton John has a time in his life where he’d never touched a piano before. But they all got started.

I am not comparing myself to the great minds above, but I did work to get where I am. I continue to work everyday to keep going and improve. The growth is never done. If it is then it’s time to move on to something else.

If you can’t do something, and you don’t want to, fine. But if there is something that truly interests you, that you want to be part of your life, wishing it to be won’t get you very far. You have to get started. No matter what it is, you can do it. There’s online resources, videos, blogs, social media direction, there’s community groups and clubs that can be joined. If there’s an interest, there’s a resource.

You won’t start awesome. It’s a fact. Failure is part of the process. There’s something that all of us need to learn. But with persistence and practice, we can really get somewhere.

All you need to do is get started… and then keep at it. Me sitting here wishing that I drew a little something everyday doesn’t get me far, I have to actually draw a little something every single day.

So get going! What do you want to have as part of your life this year? How can you make that happen?

My Recommendation – Tombow Markers

My Recommendation – Tombow Markers

by ehueston ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Oh dear long weekend, how I love to sleep in and not go to work on Monday. The long weekend does mess with my knowing what day it is, even worse in COVID times… sigh. I messed up the scheduling on this one entirely, apologies to those who missed the morning start.

I have not done a recommendation post in a while so I thought I would throw these beauties out there. To start, I am writing this post under my own power, I have not been approached by Tombow nor am I affiliated or getting any promotion or commission for this post. Just a fan who wants to spread the word!

So, here’s the deal. A friend of mine was starting to do a little more journal type work a few years ago and she started looking up good pens to use for creating letters and such in her bullet journal. She came across the Fudenosuke Brush Pens and shared them with me. Looking for any excuse to go to my local art supply store, I ran there immediately and picked up a couple to try. I. LOVE. THESE. MARKERS! Why you ask? …

Read more ›
When Motivation/Inspiration Falls Flat

When Motivation/Inspiration Falls Flat

by ehueston ♥ 2 Comments

Ok, this is a real one guys, but something that has to get out. May hasn’t been a very productive month for me for the past few years. I have a hunch as to why…

What do you do when your inspiration/motivation to create fall flat? What do you do when you can’t use your outlet as an outlet?

This happened to me. The sudden and completely unexpected loss of a friend four years ago blanked all of my creative senses. My friend was very creative and hands on, and doing these things made me think of her and all that was lost. My brain was fried, my attention span was non-existent. How can I sit down and get into my zone on a sketch if I can’t sit still for more than 10 minutes? How can you do something that always makes you feel better, if you can’t focus enough to do it? What do you do when your mental, creative, and inspirational outlet has hidden away while you deal with all of this?

If you look at my sketchbooks around this time, they go from sketches and fancy lettering almost everyday, to just plain writing. Very few artsy touches, almost no sketches or found ideas. Mostly notes about how I can’t get back on track, how I can’t think straight and how things are so much harder than they used to be. I couldn’t do it, I didn’t have the power or the motivation. Even reading was hard, ugh! It was a very frustrating time.

So what do you do? Honestly, looking back, it wasn’t one conscious decision, but a pile of tiny steps. I did what I could to keep what “normal” things I could control “normal”. I went to the gym to burn off the anxiety (thank you Elsa!), I went to be with friends who were hurting too, and I LISTENED to what I needed. Oddly enough, not something I had tried very often. If I didn’t want to read what I was reading, I didn’t, on to something lighter. If I didn’t want to paint the Sistine Chapel, I didn’t, on to something more my pace. If I didn’t want to watch something serious on TV, I didn’t, bring on Preacher (seriously, without being in that spot in my life I might not have tried it).

As for the creative side? Getting pen/pencil/marker to paper IS my happy place. When I couldn’t create from my brain I found other ways when I was ready. Paint by Numbers and colouring books are the beeeeeeeest! I was able to get all of the colours out, without the strain of too much stressful decision making. Bit by bit, these were able to provide what I needed to get back to a little more sketching.

When I was able to open up to new possibilities, I looked for other ways to keep my hands busy and creating for any time that my other options wouldn’t pull through. Enter knitting. This hobby really helped, I could zone in, if I kept it simple it would let me zone out too. I would be moving while resting my body, basically creative fidgeting. It was something new that satisfied, in part, some of what I was missing.

I am still not back 100% due to the loss of an uncle I was close to, life events in between and being out of practice. It’s an ongoing effort, there’s good days, steps backwards, improvements, but keeping up with listening to what I need is really helping (just need to maintain). Bringing “the zone” back is something that I have been working towards actively and view as an ongoing maintenance effort. It’ll get there.

Now, very important! I am NOT a doctor. This is a sound bite of what I’ve done for myself since this insane chapter of my life story, so please don’t use my advice as any sort of medical prescription. If you do need assistance, my biggest advice is to find someone UNBIASED to talk to. I did it (huge step for me, I don’t ask for help), and it was extremely helpful, and these ladies were able to help me put names to emotions I have felt my whole life but were super aggravated by these situations. Friends and family are the best, but the unbiased opinion of someone who doesn’t HAVE to say anything specific to you is wonderful too!

Slow Down and Take a Look!

Slow Down and Take a Look!

by ehueston ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I write a lot of advice and such on this blog. I am not all knowing or error free. These little chats are just as much of a pep talk for me as they are sharing my experiences with you.

This is a big one for me. My advice is… SLOW DOWN! (stop laughing you)

This advice can apply to so many things, so here’s my context and example. Back in December I was given the opportunity to do a sample knit for a local yarn store and dyer. I had been on the list for a while and told them I was up for anything. One of the ladies picked out a great sweater and I was on my way.

I sat down to look at the 12 page pattern and I got a little worried. First, I am knitting a sweater for a fellow knitter. This will be my first time doing that so there’s a little pressure that I am putting on myself right off the top. Then the pattern had a lot of “read through this first” sections. Not really my style, POWER THROUGH haha. So I did start to get a little bit of anxiety about the whole thing.

But I took a second and took another look, this sweater couldn’t be impossible. I DID say I was comfortable with anything. And really… were there any words in there I had never seen before? No. So I slowly read through each step one and a time, reread until things were clear, and I already started to feel better.

The top of the sweater includes a few sets of increases that happen simultaneously but not necessarily at the same time (if that makes sense). So rather than stressing about remembering which row was what, I took a friend’s advice. I put every single row in an excel sheet, put all the increases on their respective rows and then used that chart as my new pattern. Once I did THAT I felt even better!

7a2320d4-7562-49fb-a1cf-70ca462373cc

Then I stressed about gauge. I’ve never really cared about row gauge before, it didn’t usually matter too much. For this pattern, it seemed to matter. So I did my gauge swatch, and I got stitch and row gauge on the second try, WITH THE SAME NEEDLE. Thank you, thank you! Another example of something I didn’t have to worry about or spend any energy on.

I kept up this pace through the whole project. Finish a section, put the needles down, take a look, understand, maybe watch a YouTube instruction or two, and get right back to it. In the areas where I was given the opportunity to try a new technique, or use one that I was more comfortable with, I took the learning opportunity. These always made the sweater look stronger and way better than my old tried and trues would have. I actually wish I had known some of these techniques before for other sweaters I have made in the past. It’s been one of the more entertaining knits I’ve had the opportunity to make. I love how it finished up. I might even make another one for myself.

39fe1956-6edc-4ba3-a44f-f51d0c22f30f

See? Just take your time, one step at a time and then things can turn out to be way less scary than they appeared off the top. In taking on a challenge there’s also a bit of pride in knowing that you worked through it, learned from it and saw some growth in your capabilities. As I said, this can be applied to pretty much any scenario, so let’s give it a try and see how it goes.

How are you going too fast? How do you deal with it?