Part 1: Exercise 2 - Good Working Habits

• What do you need to be creative?

To be creative I need to be cosy, comfortable and in a quiet environment to fully relax into the process.

• Are there certain factors that are important for you to develop your work?

Time to process and mull things over. 

• When, where and how do you work? How might you develop your work approach further?

My working process has recently changed and I'm dealing with some unexpected issues. Previously my studio was in our home and I could just go in and work whenever I wanted to. I came with a lot of distractions though and was too small. In the end I became very frustrated and felt like I outgrew the space. So we converted half of our garage into a new studio space for me to have a bit more room and a place I could totally focus. It definitely gives me the quiet I craved and the space to have things where I want except for all my painting equipment. I thought I might just work on my desk to paint but I miss my easel and working big. I am considering using the room in the house just for painting and keep my new studio for my main work. Painting gives me peace and a calming feeling, I think I still need that in my life.

Other ways I work are to take my iPad to the local cafe and sketch with a friend, but this has become increasingly harder to do. People who know us always like to come and chat and we end up not getting any drawing done. The cafe is also noisy at times which can really drain my energy.

Sometimes drawing on my iPad in bed is a good place to find quiet, calm and concentration. Now I have my new studio I should have much more time and focus to work in there.

I recently went to the OCASA Lunch and Learn webinar about Focus, Attention and Concentration. This was a really good workshop and helped me identify what I need to be able to function at my best and what things really affect my energy and concentration. In a way it helped me to accept my needs more and not to just shrug them off. Previously I've been trying to just work through noisy, distracting conditions for the sake of having company while I worked and also having a change of scene but I've realised it just ends up making me feel drained of energy, irritable and non productive.

During the webinar we were also given some names of apps to try out and I found the breathing one really good and have been using that daily since to help me relax.

• Given your creative process, how do you best document your work?

I mainly use my sketchbook to write notes, sketch ideas and draw in. I also like to take photos with my phone camera.

• What kinds of questions do you use to reflect on your work?

Is this the look and feel I am going for?

Does this have meaning beyond just being pretty or cute?

Is this finished?

Does it need anything else?

Has this answered the brief? If not, why not?

• How important is reflection to your process?

I think it is important and needs to become more important. I'll look at my work and make changes as I go but I think this is an area I could do with improving to make it a larger part of the overall making process.

• Can you develop new questions or prompts?

There is definitely room for improvement here, more questions and prompts. It's something I would need to spend time on and develop. Maybe seek advice from other artists about what questions they ask themselves for reflection.

• How does this reflection help feed back into your making?

It definitely influences the outcome, but sometimes I leave it too late to make changes, especially when it comes to Uni work. I need to perhaps develop some reflection during the process, when there is time to make adjustments. Although sometimes you don't know if something is wrong until you've actually made the work. 

• How would you describe your creative process?

It varies depending on the project. For my own paintings I usually start with reference photos from something from life that I've experienced or seen or been given. I then work out the composition and colours on the canvas. Sometimes I work these things out in my sketchbook first if it's a more complex piece but often I like the spontaneity and surprise of working it out as I go.

For illustrations I usually brainstorm ideas in my sketchbook, collect reference images, test out thumbnails and then begin working. I often draw in my sketchbook and then take a photo of it to put into Procreate on the iPad.

I'd like to try developing my sketchbook sketches and painting directly onto them or using coloured pencils more. It's something I've done in the past but not lately. It would be nice to do that again.

• What sort of stages do you go through to initiate and develop your ideas and work?

I use mind maps and bullet lists to get my ideas out. Sometimes I'll just write about my ideas, getting my thoughts on paper and then start doing some sketches. These are usually very rough and just quick sketches to get ideas out. I also do little colour swatches on a page and sometimes on the rough sketches too. I might do this on Procreate as well.

• How important are restrictions to the process?

I like to restrict my colour palette. Over the years I've developed a palette that I feel truly represents me and the my creative voice. It is born out of nostalgia, pastel tones, softness and calm. A lot of the colours I use have a slight grey undertone, which I love. Lately I've been adding in a few brighter, cleaner versions of these colours to go with the original palette. I've also experimented in using other colours but never click with them. I find having this colour palette helps to tie my work together and gives a recognisable style.

• Do you start with an idea or proposal, start making and see where it takes you, or work in a different way?

As I've talked about above I do a mix of both depending on the project. I like the spontaneity of just starting making but some projects need to be more thought out and planned.

• Do you have any strategies to deal with creative blocks or obstacles?

Usually doing something completely different helps me to feel better. I also collect reference imagery from my own photos and also royalty free images. I do prefer to use my own though. Reading through magazines like Country Living also helps get me inspired and visiting places with animals like farms and zoos.

• What does experimentation look like to you?

It looks like trying new art supplies, trying different compositions. Drawing things I've never drawn before.

• Where do you work, what kind of physical spaces do you need?

I've discussed this above.

• When do you work, and how best can you structure your time?

I mostly work during the day but sometimes like to draw at night depending on my schedule and energy levels. I usually split my work day into a few hours in the morning and then the afternoons, Monday to Friday. I like to have weekends off to recharge and spend time with family etc.

• How do you draw on inspiration to feed your creativity?