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Positive Energy

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Positive Energy

I was wondering if anyone else practices this in their work. I’ve noticed a big difference when I sit down to work if I approach it positively and set my intention for a successful outcome before beginning. I find the work just goes better in every aspect. Does anyone else do this also? Just curious.

-Cathy

The closest I've come to that is going in with a precise idea of what I'd like to do, giving it my best, and letting go of the normal feelings of doubt, frustration, and disappointment if it winds up sucking -- and then moving on anyway. Sometimes that means continuing with similar exercises, sometimes that's fixing what's not working until it looks right.

It's not an easy place to get to in your mind, at least not for me, because we're all programmed to be so self-critical, but once you get there I think you find yourself more productive and the results are sharper.

I don't know if this is similar or not, but I've finally figured out how to worry about things at the appropriate time :D. For example, if I need to learn a new tool or technique to accomplish what I want to do, I no longer concern myself with that aspect of the project until I get to it. It frees me up to tackle the stuff I know how to do, which gets done quicker and allows me more time to pick up the new information. Previously, I'd start worrying about the "unknown" at the outset and spin my wheels from the start.

If I am not feeling good, I am not doing my drawning exercises.

Z
Z's picture

For me, simply approaching my work with a positive attitude isn't enough to get the job done. You see, I live in a crowded little house where working alone and in quiet is almost impossible...and, I'm naturally easily distracted to begin with...

But, when I finally get a good idea, I get a bit hyped, then I go outside for a long walk to look at the trees, get a breath of fresh air... and think about things....of course, when I get back, I'm to the point where I can't really work again. Repeat the process several weeks and months, and you got some serious frustration. And when you get frustrated, it's hard to focus on creativity.

With that said, despite the fact that I could very well be one of the most scatterbrained people on this entire planet, I have been able to draw a little bit of this and that everyday. Drawing people, animals, flowers...whatever. Despite the fact that I haven't found out the best way to try and attempt to complete a project....my core skill is getting better everyday. :) I'm also constantly thinking about life....story ideas....etc.

But it is very annoying to know that since I am such a fragile worker, half of my effort has to go to making up complex strategies and plans so that I can actually work efficiently. Trying to be good at animating is already hard enough as is. :(

Oh well...

Do any of you guys have this kind of problem with your working habits?

--Z

I haven't met a single practicing artist who hasn't experienced serious downtime in the energies department, whether it's the burnouts of a commercial artist or the lack of accountability of a developing or student artist.

Some people can get out of it by making schedules for themselves. Even though you can say to yourself "I need this done by X at Y o'clock" and feel bad about yourself already, I know a guy who does schedules and for whatever reason, even though --he made them-- it freaks him out that he might not get done in time and he fears feeling totally lazy and miserable and works like a bat out of hell.

You might try having someone else hold you accountable for a while, just to get started, even if it's something soft like "Hey send me what you get done this week" and then you won't want to consistently appear behind and that'll be sort of a motivator too.

For me, simply approaching my work with a positive attitude isn't enough to get the job done. You see, I live in a crowded little house where working alone and in quiet is almost impossible...and, I'm naturally easily distracted to begin with...

But, when I finally get a good idea, I get a bit hyped, then I go outside for a long walk to look at the trees, get a breath of fresh air... and think about things....of course, when I get back, I'm to the point where I can't really work again. Repeat the process several weeks and months, and you got some serious frustration. And when you get frustrated, it's hard to focus on creativity.

With that said, despite the fact that I could very well be one of the most scatterbrained people on this entire planet, I have been able to draw a little bit of this and that everyday. Drawing people, animals, flowers...whatever. Despite the fact that I haven't found out the best way to try and attempt to complete a project....my core skill is getting better everyday. :) I'm also constantly thinking about life....story ideas....etc.

But it is very annoying to know that since I am such a fragile worker, half of my effort has to go to making up complex strategies and plans so that I can actually work efficiently. Trying to be good at animating is already hard enough as is. :(

Oh well...

Do any of you guys have this kind of problem with your working habits?

After reading what you wrote, I have to say I love you...you are honest, you are real. You are somebody I could work with and get to know. You'd probably frustrate the shit out of me, but I think we could have some real laughs while you are not working. Eventually I'd probably lose my temper if you didn't hold up your end though.

Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.

I'm like a drop of mercury on a slab of marble. Real-life can sour my drawing in a instant, and a good mood and a good day of drawing is something I cherish.
I can solve almost any drawing problem put in front of me, given time.
The trick is to have the time..... and being gutsy enough to TAKE the time.
Of late, I've been grabbing all the guidebooks and tuorials I have to slide into doing more digital work as a prelude to actually learning the stuff and facing a deadline doing the stuff.

The key to confidence is routine. Do something over and overagain until it becomes routine and then confidence is just assured. Do enough routines and you can be confident about EVENTUALLY solving almost any problem that comes along.

Bt having that clear head and mood sure helps.
Music and solitude can do it for a lot of people. I like the distraction of certain levels of my brain functions by talk radio--so that restless part of my brain is occupied while I work. I've told people that telling the loved ones to go away while you work can help a lot, just tell them you love them and are not trying to hurt their feelings, but could they please piss off.

Then lock the door and go at it.
Right now...literally right now, in my new digs, my work area is in the farthest part of the house from where the main action takes place, and that's good.
Eventually, the room will be a feel good place and good work can flow from that.

Anything you do, any kind of focused effort to make the whole process easier is the right choice--even if its the long way around.
The idea is to fliter it down to a routine that brings you results--sometimes being agressive in the aproach can work too.

As long as a body enjoys the process, then you are doing it right--even if you are "cranky" doing it.

"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)

Z
Z's picture

After reading what you wrote, I have to say I love you...you are honest, you are real. You are somebody I could work with and get to know. You'd probably frustrate the shit out of me, but I think we could have some real laughs while you are not working. Eventually I'd probably lose my temper if you didn't hold up your end though.

Wow, I just thought I'd say thank you for the compliment. :)

--Z