Nope, It’s just not happening. This post is refusing to write itself. I can’t think of a single thing to say this week, or rather, I can but it’s all way too introspective and lacking in focus.
So I tell you what – I’ll show you a few pieces I’ve been working on for my illustration course. I need to submit an assignment but I’m currently doubting everything I’ve ever drawn. Perhaps sharing a bit here will get me past the hurdle. Worth a try, hey?
The assignment is to illustrate lyrics from three songs. These are just snippets of the illustrations (because I can’t bring myself to share the whole pictures):
The one on the left is for a Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris song. I put loads of work into the picture at the start of the summer and rather liked it, but have basically gone off it in the interim. The middle one is a kind of obvious illustration of a kind of obvious song. Hmmm. And as for the last one – I was going for a bit of romance and softness but, having deliberately chosen to use just pencil, I now feel like it needs colour. My attempts to add some on the computer last night (in an image manipulation program called GIMP which I can’t really get the hang of) didn’t go well.
Yes, the self doubt demon has come calling – he’s sneering in my ear right now (the squelchy git) – and it’s slowing me down. I think I probably just need to put my fingers in my ears, or, even better, play some loud music (my seven-year-old currently loves ‘Walk This Way’ by Run-D.M.C. – that should do the trick) and while the demon is temporarily incapacitated, submit something.
So, here’s a thing – a ‘sticking to my intentions via the medium of blogging’ thing. By this time next week I will have submitted the assignment. No excuses. You can hold me to that.
And once it’s done, I’ll get back to some agent hunting and manuscript submissions.
But that’s a whole other blog post.
You’re so talented my lovely, and your drawing always make me smile. Keep up the awesome work xxx
I like the first one. I think it’s lovely, though I can imagine if you look at something for too long, your inner critic comes out, so I can understand why you’re having doubts (though you shouldn’t). You should be more confident in yourself – you can do this. I can’t decide if the last one needs some colour. I kind of like the simplicity of it. You can see the affection for each other in their eyes, which is really sweet.
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Posts refusing to write themselves, I can relate to that one at the moment! Your drawings are fab, and I love that you’re sharing them with us. It’s been a long time since I’ve drawn anything and I definitely wouldn’t be sharing them if I did! I think it’s awesome that you are, and they are so worth sharing. I love the first one especially x
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You have real drawing talent. The one thing I noticed about the evolution of my illustrating (from designing) was that I needed to find my unique illustrating voice/style/look and when I eventually did It felt like everything slotted together. Your course is probably helping you to do this. BTW I also really liked the drawings you posted occasionally over the summer on twitter etc, it’s brave to use a pen on paper, there’s no going back! I on the hand illustrate in photoshop because I love the flexibility – oh and the eraser!!! Keep going you’re fab! x #whatimwriting
Ooh, now I want to see more!
I love the first two. They are all good, but just fantastic use of colour in the first two. Hope your week went well! x
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You have a real talent for illustration Maddy, I love them all. My favourite is probably the colours/detail you have managed to get into the bird, but really you should be proud of it all. That doubt demon haunts me too so I know how you feel – yes loud music is a good tonic! Hope the bullet has been bitten now and you are feeling better about it all. Xx
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Above all else, your son has a great taste in music! Fab drawings Maddy, it must be very relaxing… when you’re not trying to write a post that refuses to write itself
Thanks for hosting #WhatImWriting
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