Do What You Do, Daily
In all the various things that we do (be they design, development, illustration, or writing), consider the amount of time that you spend researching a particular skill. The hours that you will gladly spend throughout the week viewing the works that others have created.
In an earlier post, I attempted to point out my dissatisfaction of how galleries are used as inspiration for one's own work. Rather than go back into that conversation, I want to move forward and put most of you to task. Let's get some work done!
I strongly believe that the way to become better at something is not just to know more about it, but to practice it religiously. Make more of an effort to look at your own creativity more than you do to research others'.
Using myself as an example, I decided to set up a near-daily stream of drawings on http://antonpeck.posterous.com (as you might have noticed already, since I have it updating Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr).
What am I accomplishing by posting a drawing every day? I'm forcing a tiny (and affordable) bit of time that I would normally be using somewhere else to think about my own artistic skills. With practice, I expect this ability to improve.
Remember, research might give you more knowledge, but practice is what really makes you perfect.
What you do plan on doing every day to improve your skills?
Comments Back to Top
1. Hayo
Jul 21st, 2009
film!
but how..
2. Michael Kozakewich
Jul 21st, 2009
I’ve admittedly been subscribing to FAR too many feeds.
But then, I’ve reached the point where I can toss half of them away, because it’s more of the same. Now I have to practice.
3. Anton
Jul 21st, 2009
@Hayo - Short clips? I dunno… figure it out and come back with your solution.
@Michael - Screw the feeds, I’ve just spent the last few minutes trying to figure out how to pronounce your domain name (and I’m sure I’m still getting it wrong)!
4. Hayo
Jul 23rd, 2009
I guess i’d love to do sort of mini video blogs where i show something (preferably outside). But have had trouble with pinpointing what people might like to see.
5. Ryan Brunsvold
Jul 25th, 2009
Anton, I have to say I will be stealing this idea outright. I’ll credit you directly of course, but this is a fantastic solution to providing something interesting (hopefully) on a daily time frame for my site (currently being redesigned) as well as capitalizing on my daily drawing/doodling addiction. I’ve started uploading random sketchbook pages to my Flickr account, ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbrunsvold/sets/72157618063648880/ ) and thanks to you this is a perfect segue for keeping my motivation for drawing (and skills) up-to-date.
Thanks as always for the inspiration.
6. Anton
Jul 25th, 2009
@Hayo - I thought you knew. It’s not “what people might like to see” as much as it is “what feels right to you”.
@Ryan - Steal away, brother. Steal away. But can I just say that I’m totally jealous now of your anatomical drawing abilities? Wow. Color me humble. That’s some killer stuff, man.
7. Ryan Brunsvold
Jul 25th, 2009
Thanks man, I appreciate the compliment. I was lucky enough to have a art teacher early in life that believed that nothing was more important than drawing. Regardless of occupation, personal life, “talent” (a term he thought was b.s.), or anything else… everyone should draw something, every single day. Honoring his memory is one of the reasons I still do it. And thanks for the permission of theft :)
8. Hayo
Jul 25th, 2009
Anton, you’re absolutely right. But my mind doesn’t really work like that. I usually need a reason, or some kind of incentive to start creating. Sounds silly, i know.
9. John F Croston III
Aug 4th, 2009
The one thing I have done for as many years as I can remember is read ever night for up to 30 minutes when ever possible. Some time it does not happen like why at SXSW.
Lately I have been spending less time watching TV after work and more time starting the process to build a few of my own web applications. Have narrowed it down to one or two applications to start. Now is time to start on the wireframes, since I have already spent time before thinking about what fields would be useful.
So the long and short is I’m going to start building my applications a few hours a night or at least 10 or 15 a week if time permits and in a bit I will have a working prototype. Will need to work on design after it’s working.
Good luck with the robots or whatever you might want to design/draw a few days a week. I’m enjoying them a lot.