3 Simple Steps to find Inspiration
Last month I read Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, who explains that as soon as we become familiar with our creative practice, it’s time to ditch what we know and start searching for something new. That’s how we grow as artists - breaking away from what we’re comfortable with in order to discover new ideas that challenge the way we think about art. As creatives we are often aware of our finite cup of inspiration, which we must continually fill in order to stay in the flow of creating. But however inspired we may find ourselves, inevitably that cup will, at some point, dry up. So if like me you’ve been searching for new ideas this month, here are some of the simplest ways I stay creative when I feel uninspired.
Last month I read Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, who explains that as soon as we become familiar with our creative practice, it’s time to ditch what we know and start searching for something new. That’s how we grow as artists - breaking away from what we’re comfortable with in order to discover new ideas that challenge the way we think about art. As creatives we are often aware of our finite cup of inspiration, which we must continually fill in order to stay in the flow of creating. But however inspired we may find ourselves, inevitably that cup will, at some point, dry up. So if like me you’ve been searching for new ideas this month, here are some of the simplest ways I stay creative when I feel uninspired.
Back to basics
In this digital age there’s something special about seeing analogue artwork in it’s simplest form, whether it’s within the pages of a book, on a gallery wall or somewhere out in nature. Last month I treated myself to some picture books by my favourite illustrators, including this one by Carson Ellis, to inspire some new creative ideas. These illustrations hold a completely different value when you’re able to handle the pages - so much more than if you’re viewing them on a screen. I also have many hefty art books that I dip into occasionally, like Art by Susie Hodge, or this one on Claude Monet. Even if you don’t have access to art books, perhaps there is a character from your favourite novel, or a scene that you could sketch out in the moments you have before you start the day, to spark some new inspiration. A few months ago I tried my hand at chapter headings as a way to create illustrations when I felt uninspired by picture book spreads. Personal projects like this can often ignite enough interest to move you out of a place of stagnation and reconnect you back to your creativity.
I also recently dug out some of my old sketchbooks to remind myself of my own creative journey. If you still own your old work, try digging it out and ask yourself, what about this did I used to love? Why did I make it in the first place? What inspired me back then? If we are too disconnected from our own creativity we may attempt to make work that looks similar to other artists’, which is ultimately detrimental to our own artistic development. Connecting instead to past projects can spark a new source of inspiration, as well as reminding us why we loved creating art in the first place.
And if you’re an illustrator like me, don’t think that you can only look at other illustrators in order to be inspired! Research other disciplines that have been influenced by the same themes that interest you. If you are a picture book maker, look at set design. If you’re a ceramicist, research textile designers. If you’re a photographer, watch some performance art. Delve into eras and cultures, art movements and fashion styles, artifacts and sculpture. There really is so much out there for us to discover.
Hooray for technology!
Who said you have to leave the house in order to visit a gallery?! During lockdown I found many online resources that helped me to stay creative between bigger projects. This website is a great resource for referencing figures, or if you feel like having a go at life drawing. I also watched this live rehearsal from the Royal Ballet for movement and dance inspiration (these lives happen every year on World Ballet Day). If it’s fine art you’re after, this website has an amazing resource of traditional paintings. For photography, I tend to use the National Archives. (Remember these resources are for inspiration only. You must check the image copyright if you intend to use them within your work). I also LOVE a museum tour. There are so so many like this one on YouTube that take you on tours of various museums and galleries all over the world. This website is also great if you are looking for street/outdoor scenes. Just press play and sketch what you see! I promise that something from a drawing session like this will get you into the swing of creating again.
Another way to spark inspiration is to draw from film. It’s the easiest way for me to stay creative without having any pressure to show what I draw to the world. Whether it’s the colour palette, art direction, character design or costume, I can assure you there’ll be something you can take away, and you’ll enjoy the process! If you’re looking for imagination, try stop-motion animation. For atmosphere, German expressionist films. For colour, anything by Wes Anderson. This month my friend and I plan to have a Studio Ghibli marathon and I cannot WAIT. Of course, there’s also Instagram and Pinterest to fall back on for bursts of inspiration, but instead of scrolling, try looking at who your favourite artists are following. Often there are a few names on there you won’t already know, but they may share a similar style to you and it’s fun to see who your favourite artists are inspired by.
Broaden your horizons
Lastly, if you’re feeling uninspired, it could be a message from your creative brain that you need to take a break! I tend to split my time between illustration, workshops, teaching dancing, blogging, yoga, going for walks. These are all forms of creativity in different disguises. Prioritise your own creative outlets as much as your drawing practice as best you can. Often it is during these moments where we separate ourselves from work that sparks of inspiration begin to flicker. Devote more of your time to exploration. Indulge in your curiosities. Invite people into your creative circle and share ideas. Gathering little inspirations here and there can, with enough mental clarity, allow you to return to your work with a fresh attitude and a satisfying amount of creativity. In the end, don’t feel defeated if you’re lacking inspiration right now, it happens to the best of us. As long as you branch out often, stay curious and be kind to yourself, you can truly find inspiration anywhere.
Since July?
*Show your work as I mentioned before has so many valuable tips for creatives and it’s a very easy read. Highly recommend.
*Anyone else watching the Olympics? I don’t tend to watch sport regularly but the Olympics always seem to draw me in. I went to the London games in 2012 and I guess it brings back those happy memories. I think GB have three gold medals as I’m writing this, so here’s hoping for some more by the time this post goes up!
*If in doubt, make a CHEESECAKE! Recently I really enjoyed this one (sorry vegan friends this one isn’t for you)
Wishing you all a happy August whatever you’re up to. I’m planning to share a two-part post in the Autumn on processes if all goes to plan! For now though, let’s just enjoy summer, I don’t think my brain can grasp the fact that it’ll be September next month just yet.
Catherine
Advice from an Illustration Graduate: What I wish I'd known before graduating from Art School
You may be wondering what I’ve done to acquire all this new found knowledge and the truth is, not a lot. I’m not claiming to have learnt the ins and outs of the illustration industry within a year because let’s face it, that takes a lot of experience. But last year I would have welcomed any sort of advice from other creatives who had gone through similar experiences to me, so today I’m offering the advice I never had. Sometimes all it takes is for someone else to say, hey I’ve been there and I struggled too…
This month my blog turns a year old! I started it back in July 2020 with the intention of sharing my processes and experiences as an illustrator, but also because I love to write! Not much has changed since my first post, and yet I feel as though I’ve grown massively as a person and as an artist since then. A year on I find myself having learnt A LOT of lessons, and I hope by sharing them with you today, whether you’re still a student, recent grad or freelance artist, they offer you some kind of guidance or support, wherever you are on your creative journey. So, shall we dive in?
Just a note…
You may be wondering what I’ve done to acquire all this new found knowledge and the truth is, not a lot. I’m not claiming to have learnt the ins and outs of the illustration industry within a year because let’s face it, that takes a lot of experience. But last year I would have welcomed any sort of advice from other creatives who had gone through similar experiences to me, so today I’m offering the advice I never had. Sometimes all it takes is for someone else to say, hey I’ve been there and I struggled too.
I also want to diffuse the idea that you have to be constantly productive to be successful - you don’t. Last year I decided to work on my picture book portfolio, for you it may be looking for a job or joining a collective that is priority. It’s taken a long time for me to settle into a routine where I can balance work and rest effectively, and its definitely still a working progress. I can be very driven and I love what I do, but I am also often very critical of myself. It’s taken a year for me to start unpacking these negative patterns and notice why I think this way, so please, take my advice with a pinch of salt. Everyone’s experience will be different.
Summer
Graduating during a pandemic meant that there was no ceremony and no degree show. It was a disappointment, but I got over it. I kept myself busy with a project called the Sketchbook Collective, and made a list of goals I wanted to achieve now I actually had time to focus on them. I collaborated with Post Snail Press, spoke to an editor from Hachette at their virtual open day, and opened my Etsy shop (a goal that I had on hold for YEARS!). Of course I took a well deserved rest too. I baked bread, watered my tomato plants, and cut my own hair. My friends and I got creative on zoom too, organising life drawing sessions, film nights and virtual gallery tours to pass the time. I also set myself a mini project of reworking three scenes from an old uni project that I never finished. This was my chance to play and create work that I wanted to make, and enjoy the freedom of pressure and grades.
Although I couldn’t see it at the time, I really took advantage of these first few months and a year on, I can see how I was laying foundations for new opportunities that are only just beginning to appear.
THREE THINGS I LEARNT
Don’t forget to celebrate If you’re a recent graduate, sleep is probably the only thing on your mind right now! But remember that this moment in your life is unlikely to happen again, so really take time to pause and reflect on everything you have achieved. Regardless of your result, chances are you’ll never have to work that hard again. So be proud of yourself - you did it.
A degree isn’t everything Okay I KNOW I just said be proud of your achievements, but the sooner you face reality the better. Think about how many graduates have left university just like you. What makes you different to them? Talent and confidence can only get you so far and the sad truth is, most clients don’t want to see your university work. Of course there are exceptions, but for most of us the stand-out portfolios showcase work that is personal and confident in style and message. Do you have something to share that’s unique to you or are you hoping that recycling the same old 2nd year project will get you by? This may be the best time to get a head start and make work that really shows what you have to offer.
Opportunities are waiting More about this later. Of course you can’t predict which projects will open the right doors for you, but if you’re collaborating with other creatives now, you may be surprised as to what they lead to later on. The artistic community you formed at university is unlikely to be available to you again, so to keep in touch with as many other creatives as you can. Or reach out to those who you admire - you never know what new connections lead to. And I promise you’ll be grateful you did it now.
Autumn
With the celebrations officially over, the daunting realisation of adult life soon kicked in. Autumn was really a blur to me. I went on country walks and continued with zoom drawing sessions, but creatively I was feeling uninspired. I continued another project from the past, which brought me a slight sense of satisfaction, but I still couldn’t shake off the vague sense of ‘what is this all for’. I decided to follow a drawing challenge to spark some sort of ‘play’, but that quickly became just another task to tick off my to-do list and it wasn’t really enjoyable. I’d also slipped off the momentum of university, and with that I became less and less motivated. Weeks turned into months and I began to realise I hadn’t made any attempts to consider what my next step would be.
I was also still frustrated about the the anti-climatic ending of university, and was mentally battling the constant raincloud that was Covid. I couldn’t shake this strange feeling I had. Was it loss? Anxiety? I don’t really remember, but I sure as heck pushed it down and tried my best to work through it. It took several months for me to realise this frustration was manifesting itself into physical pain too. I had a month long arm injury, and in November and December suffered from toothache that turned out to be tension in my jaw. I couldn’t wait for Christmas to arrive so I could forget all about it.
THREE THINGS I LEARNT
Effort makes you I WISH I had been stricter with myself in the beginning, because after the momentum of uni faded, I neglected work. Giving up is easy. It’s not easy to give 100% every day and not see any signs of progression. What matters is that you do it anyway. If you’re unsure about where to start, think about what you could do to get ahead. Whether you’ve submitted a portfolio or applied for a job, don’t just sit and wait for a reply that may never come. Get your hands on something you can control. Research other artists in the same industry as you and see how they did it. Join a collective, work on your craft. Effort makes you, so please start while you’re ahead.
The harsh reality Don’t pretend you’re okay if you’re not. But if you’re lay on your bed scrolling through IG then you really have no right to complain. Stop letting your excuses prevent you from taking action. Chances are there’ll be a few months of adjustment before steady work opportunities start to come in, so don’t feel disheartened if you feel a little lost in the beginning.
Don’t compare your path to someone else’s This was a HUGE lesson for me, and something I continue to work on. I used to fuel my anxiety by constantly comparing my path to another illustrator’s, one who had already had years of practise and momentum behind them. Once I had time to settle into a new routine I found that those same artists now inspired me to work hard, rather than making feel worse about myself. If you catch yourself comparing, change your perspective. Look at how they got to where they are. If they can do it, so can you. Begin with what you know and be PATIENT. Things most likely won’t change overnight.
Winter
As a Christmas enthusiast the adjustment to New Year is usually a challenge but LET ME TELL YOU, this Winter was tough. It was a period of several really low months that I just couldn’t get myself out of. Part of me didn’t even want to, because it required effort and I wasn’t in the mood for that. I was indifferent to the work I was making and everything felt like a chore. In hindsight, if I was kinder to myself and accepted that I felt uninspired, I probably wouldn’t have felt half as bad. I didn’t feel overworked, just less inclined to create - which was a feeling that until then I have never really experienced. The most important thing is that I never gave up. After every bad day I picked myself up and tried again. I continued to accept portrait commissions and submitted projects to competitions.
In these wintery months, I would have been SO grateful for any sort of advice, especially from graduates who were going through similar struggles as I was. Other than chatting to friends, I found that it just isn’t something that is widely spoken about in the illustration community, which is a shame.
THREE THINGS I LEARNT
Go outside Obvious but important. Working from home can be tedious, sometimes tiring, often lonely. Give yourself time to be outside, away from technology and if it helps, away from people. Nature can do wonders for your metal health and I guarantee you’ll feel more refreshed when you come back to your desk.
Action = Momentum The first step is always the hardest. I got frustrated that I wasn’t making any progress, yet I wasn’t taking action in order to solve the problem. It may not work the first, second or tenth time, but you have to try if you want to see any momentum.
Your emotions are trying to tell you something Our negative feelings often serve a positive purpose; they are a sign that change is needed. Don’t try to avoid or deny them. Notice them and appreciate the message they’re trying to tell you. Only then will you be able to change your state. Reassure yourself that you’ve gotten through this feeling before and notice the lesson it’s trying to teach you.
Spring
I don’t remember how I finally let go of these negative patterns, but I did. I continued working on my portfolio and my mental health, and one sunny April afternoon it all just slipped into place. I suddenly realised how I’d been blocking myself from taking action, and releasing this pressure made me feel as though a weight had been lifted. I guess all I needed was a little perspective. It’s still a working progress, but taking back that control brought a fresh burst of optimism. I got excited about stretching my creative comfort zone, experimented with new materials, and purposefully chose not to share new work with the outside world.
I slowly found my creative spark again and with inspiration came action, then momentum and soon, new opportunities began to appear. I honestly can’t explain how fast the changes came! I was commissioned to do a set of pet portraits (which are now available on my Etsy shop), sold my prints internationally for the first time, and received a message from a Sketchbook Collective member asking whether I was interested in running an online workshop! Of course none of this was planned, but because I was open to the work, it just seemed to find me.
THREE THINGS I LEARNT
Don’t hold so much value on social media We all know this, but do we believe it? It may take time to release the grip social media has on you as a creative, especially if it’s the only place you can interact with your audience. At the start of this year I’d feel deflated after making any new work because I was already subconsciously projecting other peoples opinions onto it. Opinions I hadn’t even received. Once I’d shifted my attention to finding fulfilment in the process, I could see the image objectively. Some people may love what you do and some will be indifferent to it. Don’t let external validation sway your own opinion of the work you make. I’ve even got into the habit of deleting IG at the weekend, to take some time to reconnect with myself and my creativity.
Set clear goals LISTS ARE YOUR FRIENDSSS! Write up your to dos, monthly goals, timetables, anything! Nothing is achievable until you put it down on paper, and as creatives we unfortunately need to hold ourselves accountable for the time we are on and off work. Once your goals are on paper you can break them down into simplified steps, set time limits, and suddenly things will seem a lot less strenuous. I now have monthly goals, weekly goals AND a timetable to keep me on track. It keeps me accountable, I just can’t believe it took me ten months to do it.
This is just the beginning Throughout Autumn and Winter I kept reminding myself how fast time was passing and I still hadn’t made progress. Now one year later, I can look back and see how much I’ve already achieved. And it’s only been a year. Things change faster than you think. I still have hard days, but I’m back to being my busy self, and the path in front of me is slowly, slowly starting to reveal itself. Wherever you are in your journey, know that opportunities are always available to you, you just have to be patient and keep going.
And that brings me full circle! Sharing these experiences from the past twelve months has felt like a cathartic process to me, and I hope it offers you some sort of guidance, support, or just a friendly voice to say that everything will work out just fine. If you find yourself at a low point, know that the harder times are just lessons in disguise. Take a moment to look around and ask yourself, what am I avoiding? What would move me forward? What would make me happy? Sometimes we need the challenges to shake us up and push us in the right direction. You need rain to appreciate the sunshine, right?
So what’s next? Right now I find myself seeking new opportunities to grow and learn about my craft. My work has improved massively since university, but I can already see how I could move on from here, and I can’t begin to imagine where I’ll be in a year from now! And this time I’ll remember to enjoy the journey.
Little treasures I’ve enjoyed this month…
* Annielies Draws vintage posters!!
*I’m finally reading The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell after it’s been sat on my shelves for several years. Mitchell somehow manages to twist everyday stories just enough for them to become distorted and fascinating, and I’m only several chapters in but I’m already loving it.
*I also picked up this book again after months of neglect. I find history fascinating, and I’m learning new things everyday.
If you’re still here I applaud you! That was one hefty post. I hope my experiences bring support to those of you who find yourself in a challenging season of your life. Don’t give up!!
Thank you for being here, as always
Catherine
Virtual Drawing Workshop
One of my latest projects during April & May was planning an online workshop for the students at MSoA. The preparation was particularly long as everything, of course, had to be done online. The idea for the workshop was inspired by a drawing tour, and using Zoom as a means to escape for an hour to a lovely old city (we chose Edinburgh for our first destination!). We planned our route and points of interest, then collected still and moving images to piece together a virtual tour that would last around 30 minutes. We ended the session with a zine-making tutorial, which allowed the students to create a little book that encapsulated their sketches. All they needed was a sheet of A4 paper, something to draw with and a pair of scissors! Everything else was down to imagination.
Hello friends and happy June! I hope May treated you kindly and that you are all staying safe and well. The rainy days seemed to blur into one this month so it seems as though we will have to wait a little longer for Spring to arrive! Since my last post I’ve been keeping my head down with many different projects that have all been wrestling for my attention. I’m grateful though to be doing what I love and I finally feel that - for the first time this year! - I’m creating work that I really enjoy. There’s a lot to say about this, so I promise to share more in the future.
One of my latest projects during April & May was planning an online workshop for the students at MSoA. The preparation was particularly long as everything, of course, had to be done online. The idea for the workshop was inspired by a drawing tour, and using Zoom as a means to escape for an hour to a lovely old city (we chose Edinburgh for our first destination!). We planned our route and points of interest, then collected still and moving images to piece together a virtual tour that would last around 30 minutes. We ended the session with a zine-making tutorial, which allowed the students to create a little book that encapsulated their sketches. All they needed was a sheet of A4 paper, something to draw with and a pair of scissors! Everything else was down to imagination.
We sketched from photographs and moving images, exploring scenes from Edinburgh Castle to the Royal Mile to Princes Street Gardens. The students were encouraged to use this time to fill as much of their page as possible, with illustrations, text, colour, and whatever else they wanted to include! The idea was to create a sense of the city with quick, unfiltered drawings. Once we’d folded the zines, these images were cropped into eight small pages, which resulted in some really interesting compositions!
Although this was our first workshop, we wanted to make sure the students felt welcomed and relaxed, and provide a sense of escapism that many of them have missed since being away from home during the pandemic. The whole class exceeded my expectations and I'm so grateful for the eagerness and kindness of all the students that took part!
I have to say a big thank you to Martha who I co-organised this event with, and also to Elle and Molly for helping us prepare!
Besides dreaming of other cities we could visit, I'd love to do more workshops like this in the future, and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to teach them in person one day!
Other than illustration…
*I discovered the playful art of Christian Robinson last month. His work is full of warmth, colour and the celebration of human voices.
*The soft music of Nujabes has been keeping me company recently. This one always helps me get my head down and focus.
*I’ve been reading A Very Intrepid Explorer in the mornings before I start my day. The illustrations are so beautifully coloured and I am forever amazed at the achievements of Marianne North.
Thanks for reading, as always,
Catherine
Paper & Paint: My current favourite Art materials
I've used several different brands of cold and hot press paper over the years (the terms cold and hot press refer to the tooth of the paper). Hot press is better for a high level of detail although it’s less absorbent than cold press, so it really depends on what you want to use it for. Recently I've taken to using bristol board with pencil crayon. It's the smoothest surface and great for scanning work (especially book spreads) where the texture of the paper needs to be kept to a minimum. I’ve used both Starthmore and Windsor and Newton pads and both work equally well, although Strathmore has more of a cream tone than the crisp white of W&N. For toned paper I like Strathmore mixed media pad.
Today I thought I’d take you through some of the materials I’ve been using recently.
In no particular order…
Paper
I've used several different brands of cold and hot press paper over the years (the terms cold and hot press refer to the tooth of the paper). Hot press is better for a high level of detail although it’s less absorbent than cold press, so it really depends on what you want to use it for. Recently I've taken to using bristol board with pencil crayon. It's the smoothest surface and great for scanning work (especially book spreads) where the texture of the paper needs to be kept to a minimum. I’ve used both Starthmore and Windsor and Newton pads and both work equally well, although Strathmore has more of a cream tone than the crisp white of W&N. For toned paper I like Strathmore mixed media pad.
Paint & Palettes
I haven't spent a huge amount on paint. My watercolour set is an affordable one from Windsor and Newton. I know the pigment isn't the highest quality but I find it a decent price for the amount I use. I also keep W&N inks and they do the job just fine. For gouache I mix all of my colours from three primary tubes plus black and white. I’d recommend doing this if you’re just starting out, or if you’re wanting to test new materials before splashing out on the more expensive sets. I use Holbein Acryla gouache but I’ve heard positive reviews for both W&N and Caran d’Ache brands, so I’d say do some research and really figure out what type of paint you’re after before you buy. This video helped a lot when I was researching Holbein. The acryla goucahe definitely works more like standard acrylic, but stays liquid enough if you use it on a stay-wet palette. To make mine I lay several sheets of wet kitchen towels in a plastic container, followed by a sheet of tracing paper. This technique allows the paint to stay wet enough to use for several weeks. This video explains the basics of this type of palette.
Brushes
I love Pro ArteProlene Plus for detail as they have a decent point to them. I use Woodpecker for washes as the flat bristles are inexpensive and robust enough to stand the test of time. I also have a dozen of Daler Rowney brushes in various sizes. They’re nothing special but they do the job just fine.
Pencil Crayons
I love building my pencil crayon collection up, so I have quite the mix of brands. I love love Faber-Castell Polychromos and I use these for the bulk of my work. They aren’t too waxy and I’m able to get fine details with them, although I will say that it takes a lot of sharpening to get a thin point. For detail I use Stabilo originals which are a lot more affordable but less pigmented and the lead is not as soft. I also use Caran d'Ache Supracolor II Soft which as the name suggests, have a lovely soft lead, and recently I added some of their Museum Aquarelle pencils to my collection. Both are great for blending with water as well as being highly pigmented on their own. For graphite I stick to Stedtler.
Sketchbooks
I've used a variety of sketchbook brands over the years but I find certain papers haven’t stood the test of time as my style has evolved. I have dozens of Seawhite of Brighton sketchbooks and have used them for many years, but recently I’ve found the paper allows too much bleed for my liking. The paper is a nice cream colour, and I think they’re better suited to sketching than using anything too liquidy. I've also used Pink Pig in the past; their books are spiral bound and pretty easy to get hold of. Moleskine on the other hand is lovely for travel sketchbooks but I sometimes think the price makes me act too precious. (If anyone has any brand recommendations specifically for using pencil crayon let me know!)
Remember that making art doesn’t have to be expensive, there’s a lot of student-friendly brands out there that work well if you’re just starting out. Don’t be afraid to invest in a few tools to help you along the way but remember, art isn’t just about the quality of your materials. It’s about creating the work you want to make and over time, you’ll grow a sense of which materials you like and which ones you don’t.
Happy making!