Before I began drawing and blogging regularly again, one of the challenges that I faced was the inception of an the idea to be translated into an image. Numerous questions go through my head about what to draw that I end up being paralyzed and not continuing because I felt that my subject wasn't creative or interesting enough. My constant self editing before undergoing the actual process made me realize that I didn't get any better at drawing just by thinking of what to draw and then postponing altogether. I discovered that in order to really practice and get better at something, the most important thing is to simply start.
Of course, it's crucial to be deliberate in your work to find a purpose and message for an illustration. Happy accidents can only get you so far, right? But in order to hone a skill, whether it be illustration, calligraphy or writing, one must keep on executing and go through the entire lifecycle of a process.
For my fellow corporate professionals who are also trying to remain creative, here are
A Corpy's 5 Tips on Practicing Creativity
1. Keep a notebook wherever you go
You will never know when the next big (or small) idea will spring out of your system until you're there in that actual light bulb moment. Chronicling the feeling or the idea through writing or a sketch will allow you to remember and develop the fleeting thought while you're in transit, on a line to the loo, while waiting for your boarding time at the airport or in between breaks at the office.
You can doodle too, which can serve as an artwork on its own.
2. Bring a camera with you
This has proven to be a really useful habit for me specially when I travel or when I watch people. Since moments are so ephemeral, a camera is an essential tool for me be able to capture people, pleaces and movements that could later on be useful for an illustration or a subject for sketching and watercolor practice.
Whenever I'm in search of a subject to paint, I take out my camera and browse through photos from months back and exercise "seeing" while drawing. I didn't have to rack my brain for a subject to draw, instead, I was able to immediately practice my perspective, my sketching, my inking, my underpainting or my washes.
3. Be prepared to suck.
Cliche as it may sound, it's true. Practice indeed makes perfect. But I used to have a tendency to get discouraged with my abilities while practicing, because I sucked and I didn't want to make mistakes. Seeking perfection is fine, but if your pursuit for perfection keeps you from growing and taking risks, then there must be something wrong with your process. Perfection is the end result of practice. Practice doesn't have to be perfect yet. Just continue and you will get better.*
*I always remind myself of this too.
4. Know when to focus and when to multitask.
For an individual who is juggling a job and a passion, it's easy to get caught in the day to day chaos of life. Multitasking is idle time disguised as busy-ness, they say. You think you're doing a lot but you end up not progressing when you look back. A lot of people would advise against multi tasking and I would agree to a certain extent. Multitasking can be a good strategy by combining nonproductive time with a productive task to be able to free up your hours and focus on your work or your craft. Check your Facebook on the commute and not touch your phone or laptop when you get home. Instead, work on a sketch, an article or that unfinished song you're been putting in the backseat for the past month. Watch TV while doing jump rope. Read a book while waiting for your lunch to be served. Listen to podcasts or TED Talks while driving. Doodle while you're in a meeting (seriously, studies show that doodling supports memory retention by 29%).
5. Always make time.
The last and final tip is also the most important. Make time for your craft. Go to a quiet corner and don't let distractions keep you from doing what you love. Facebook and other social media are great channels to stay connected with friends and family but they shouldn't be the highlight of the day. The television is a means of entertainment, not a way to use up 24 hours of your day. Work takes up the majority of our waking hours so it's important to utilize our remaining time wisely. Stay focused in coming up with an output and make creativity a habit.
This is not a tried and tested guide, but something that I'm trying to continuously practice since I started drawing regularly again. Letting go of analysis paralysis took me quite a while, and trust me, it still bites me back in the ass sometimes. I have started to become more aware of my fear to start something and that was the first step that I took to learn how to stop being such a control freak and just keep practicing.
For more inspiration and motivation to practice, check out The Done Manifesto by Bre Pettis and Kio Stark
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