Slumping but productive

when you don't know what to draw , draw that x)

Dear Reader,

A lot is going on in my life at the moment that has nothing to do with art, we all have phases where life is simply a lot. We also started playing Pokémon Soul Silver and Heart Gold as a family each on our own device and I’m enjoying it a lot :D
All this leaves me with little creative energy but I’m glad that I my habits and routines pull me through and actually lead me to working through my Inktober in a some what leisurely manner.

How do I do it?
I think it comes down to 2 things:

1. I routinely look at the prompts and sketch a bit. I don’t ask myself if I feel like it I just do it.
   The prompts combined with my topic of small people mostly fire some sort of association that I then can sketch. They are not all inspired and I don’t like all but showing up is the win here. I can’t expect more from myself at this stage and that’s fine.

2. and this is the part which I would like to talk a bit about. Drawing that at the moment could be a bit of a chore so I add the component of indulgence.

   While sketching I put on a show on Netflix that I would not watch without something else to do. Currently I’m watching Monk while drawing. I enjoy it and it is this kind of show that leaves me with the capacity to do something else while watching it. Many shows about lawyer/crime/doctor or sitcoms work like that for me. I love White Collar, Castle , Scrubs, House Suits, the Good Wife.

   I have completed many an illustration while watching a show. I don’t watch/listen to shows in the concepting/ideas phase though, just in the executive phase.

   I think this is something that I add that makes even the tedious bits of drawing pretty enjoyable and my brain goes “ Oh if you draw we can watch something! Cool!”

I would love to know if you have anything like this in place to help you through the tough phases.

Btw I LOVE prompts cause they help me come up with stuff that I usually would not draw.

Except this one : UNCHARTED

My brain was so blank on this one that I resorted to drawing the blankness..

And here is today’s Inktober:

So I’m working through Inktober while my mind is mostly elsewhere. I look forward to when stuff quietens down and I have the breathing space to want to create and let my mind run on about creating. But till then I’ll keep the show running :D

Gentle Reminder

Everyone who signs up to my Patreon during October 2024 will receive this PDF in their welcome note! <3

WEEKLY PRACTICE:
My weekly practice

Here are some of yours<3

siarttist, ghorust_x, Vanessa M., eema.daisken.art

This weeks practice will be chickens: references
Why chickens? I like them :3

Will you participate again this week? :D

If so tag me on Instagram. I will share some in my stories and here <3 #schmoescosyartclub

Love,
Schmoe <3