Thanks for both taking care of yourself and for just being your self.
If everything goes ok, I'm taking advantage of one last unusually warm January here, sitting outdoors somewhere without distractions and pray and breathe and plan for the year. I'm not big on planning because too many times I plan something, get excited, and then a major event happens and blows my plans all to pieces. Trauma all over again.
The one thing I have done is made little art and writing bags that I can "grab and go" to either take with me or use at home without too much brain energy needed. (The writing bags hold Rocketbooks, so with my phone and a little spray bottle and cloth for erasing I can have unlimited pages until my ink runs out, so yes I keep extra pens around, also use them for sketching.) That way the creative part of myself hopefully has permission to make space each day no matter what happens...no matter what anyone says or doesn't understand the need to create daily.
Enough about me! Sorry thinking out loud online again.
Simpatico, Ritagail! I love that you have a studio to-go bag where you can have your art and writing supplies with you wherever you go. I'm inspired to make my own! Recently, I've been trying out new materials that have been less portable and I find I miss impromptu sketching. Yesterday I tried scribbling an idea on scrap paper on the train and my only pen ran out of ink! I'd like to pick out a new sketchbook for the year and have my favorite pens travel-ready again. Thanks for sharing!
I might decide to write more about this on my own sites, but for you personally.....first of all, Rocketbooks have really helped me. I can freely sketch and try designs without being tied to my phone (they can be scanned for digital work later). I did find I like the black pens (water based ink) better than the color ones. For erasing I use waterbrushes and a cloth, smaller one than comes with the book. But, it does take awhile to get used to it. And it isn't permanent, it's kind of like a whiteboard. However, they do scan well enough to print out later, and, it's possible to get shades of gray washes. That said, it can get a little more time consuming especially if you mess up a part of the drawing while trying to fix another part. And you do have to be somewhat careful to make sure the ink is dry before closing the book.
There's probably other options like Rocketbook but they were available at Walmart so it tried it. I'm able to do a lot of drawing without worrying about burning through paper sketchbooks.
If that doesn't appeal to you....I didn't quite get to do what I wanted yesterday....I ended up in the library and wrote a ton (in my Rocketbook...their app does handwriting transcription) and then was frustrated...and then...I pulled out a set of shades of gray watercolor (gouache?) I had packed at the last minute and a waterbrush and just started drawing/painting, no underdrawing. Had paper towels with me, didn't need a water cup. Worked way better than I thought it would. Maybe give you an idea?
Thanks for both taking care of yourself and for just being your self.
If everything goes ok, I'm taking advantage of one last unusually warm January here, sitting outdoors somewhere without distractions and pray and breathe and plan for the year. I'm not big on planning because too many times I plan something, get excited, and then a major event happens and blows my plans all to pieces. Trauma all over again.
The one thing I have done is made little art and writing bags that I can "grab and go" to either take with me or use at home without too much brain energy needed. (The writing bags hold Rocketbooks, so with my phone and a little spray bottle and cloth for erasing I can have unlimited pages until my ink runs out, so yes I keep extra pens around, also use them for sketching.) That way the creative part of myself hopefully has permission to make space each day no matter what happens...no matter what anyone says or doesn't understand the need to create daily.
Enough about me! Sorry thinking out loud online again.
Blessings!!!
Simpatico, Ritagail! I love that you have a studio to-go bag where you can have your art and writing supplies with you wherever you go. I'm inspired to make my own! Recently, I've been trying out new materials that have been less portable and I find I miss impromptu sketching. Yesterday I tried scribbling an idea on scrap paper on the train and my only pen ran out of ink! I'd like to pick out a new sketchbook for the year and have my favorite pens travel-ready again. Thanks for sharing!
I might decide to write more about this on my own sites, but for you personally.....first of all, Rocketbooks have really helped me. I can freely sketch and try designs without being tied to my phone (they can be scanned for digital work later). I did find I like the black pens (water based ink) better than the color ones. For erasing I use waterbrushes and a cloth, smaller one than comes with the book. But, it does take awhile to get used to it. And it isn't permanent, it's kind of like a whiteboard. However, they do scan well enough to print out later, and, it's possible to get shades of gray washes. That said, it can get a little more time consuming especially if you mess up a part of the drawing while trying to fix another part. And you do have to be somewhat careful to make sure the ink is dry before closing the book.
There's probably other options like Rocketbook but they were available at Walmart so it tried it. I'm able to do a lot of drawing without worrying about burning through paper sketchbooks.
If that doesn't appeal to you....I didn't quite get to do what I wanted yesterday....I ended up in the library and wrote a ton (in my Rocketbook...their app does handwriting transcription) and then was frustrated...and then...I pulled out a set of shades of gray watercolor (gouache?) I had packed at the last minute and a waterbrush and just started drawing/painting, no underdrawing. Had paper towels with me, didn't need a water cup. Worked way better than I thought it would. Maybe give you an idea?
This is very sweet. Blessings.
Good for you! I love this blog
Happy new year! Glad you had a good break. 🍪