I Want to do That
Happy October to you! I recently listened to a podcast from an illustrator about his windy path to become an illustrator and he described his “I want to do that” moment. I really enjoyed hearing his story and I loved the phrase. As he was sharing, in my mind, I was recounting many of my “I want to do that” moments. As the story went on, I had another thought….how could I make that phrase a blogpost?
So, for this month’s blogpost…I am listing my “I want to do that” moments along with a few more details about the why and how of the creative tasks I want to do. My hopes is that this exercise will help uncover some treasures for me within my work, as well as inspire myself when I look back. One final hope is that you will be inspired to do those things you want to do too!
My inspiration for this blogpost: Mr. Tom Froese podcast “Thoughts on Illustration”. Episode 1 “I want to do that”
I WANT TO DO THAT: I always love thinking up some seed of an idea for my monthly calendar creation. After some thinking time, I decided to draw a fun scene with a ghost and some pumpkins with my colored pencils for this month’s design. So many decisions go into art making and even a small exercise like this can create decision fatigue and abandonment of the project. But I went with idea and started with a pencil sketch. I knew I wanted it to have a mirror image effect. What I draw on one side I try to create on the other. I happened to take a picture of it and the lighting made it very yellow and aged. What a neat effect!
Screenshot Saturday
I WANT TO DO THAT: Screenshot Saturdays were born from the idea other digital creators have of sharing free weekly wallpapers they create. I saw it and literally had that thought…. I WANT TO DO THAT! So, I gave it a try; fitting it in my own timeline and drawing objects and ideas I wanted to draw. This weekly drawing exercise quickly got me hooked because I was learning all the digital brushes and various effects from the software program (Procreate). I believe this act alone has single-handedly sped up my learning for all things digital art making. Practicing my skills and also sharing consistently on my social media has truly helped my craft.
Inspiration from Callie Danielle who shares Wallpaper Wednesdays on her Facebook and Instagram.
I WANT TO DO THAT: I wanted to create the small artwork and headers or page breaks for my blog post like this one “From my Sketchbook”. I love adding small details like this and trying to give my blogpost a unique feel that is all my own.
I WANT TO DO THAT: Create some sketchbook pages around my day. I was able to get about 4 done consecutively.
Inspiration from artist and author Samantha Dion Baker and her books! What beautiful pages she creates. I was inspired to try my own. Though Mrs. Baker says she takes 3 hours on her page a day….I am working much MUCH more quickly and far less than that time frame. I loved this creative exercise and have actually done something like this years ago. (There are many artists who have books about drawing your surroundings and everyday things - Danny Gregory is another that comes to mind). So yay, I wanted to do it and I did it! Though it did not stick, I know if I gave this more time - I could hone in on some neats drawings in this way.
I WANT TO DO THAT: Years ago I began a weekly snail mail practice to my Grandfather, who is now 96 years old! You can read more about Letters to my Grandfather here from my February 2022 blog post. The gist of this practice is that I draw/create/design cards, either with traditional art supplies or digitally and then print out each week to be mailed. The “I want to do that” part was in the beginning (2017) when I wanted to be a card maker and mail handmade/designed cards each week to my Grandparents.
I WANT TO DO THAT: I was scrolling through instagram one day and came across some clay brooches that were very simple organic clay vases. These flat and simples shapes were fun and inspiring. I took that idea “making flat shapes for clay brooches” and put my own spin on it. I decided to start with drawing my ideas first. I drew coffee mugs, flowers, leaves, hearts, my scribbles, rocks and a personal favorite… my spilling coffee mugs. The other sketchbook page were more random things I wanted to try drawing.
I am happy to report that the clay brooches are in process and we shall see if this “I want to do that” moment is filled with all the success I started with in my mind. Either way, it was a moment I followed through on and began creating around.
So many “I want to do that” moments! It can be scary to indulge in these moments from time to time, but pushing through and giving it a try can be more rewarding than I can put in words. So stay creative out there and have your “I want to do that” moments too!
~Hannah