Posts Tagged ‘aspiring children’s illustrator’

Lesson #6: Draw More

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I was proud of myself this week. I drew almost every day. Drawing is just as important for an artist as exercise is to every body, and we KNOW this, yet we can slip into times where we don’t do it for days, weeks, and even months. After I had my little girl, I was so mad that I’d let 6 months pass by without making art. Now, to my defense, having a baby just about did me in, but it is what it is, and that’s no way for an aspiring illustrator to be.

I am feeling like I really have to make some choices that will define how I spend my time from now on. Some of those choices is to draw more, every day if I can. I found that when I spend more time drawing, I feel more prepared for an illustrative future (like I’m getting somewhere), which makes me feel happier and calmer, which allows me to be more “present” while playing with my daughter. They say, moms who take care of themselves, take better care of their kids. I can see now.

And each day that I drew, it felt progressively more natural, and even easier maybe. If that’s the case, can you imagine if we drew (almost) every day for years and years? I believe we’d actually get pretty good!

I am working on the look/feel of a girl character in a story I just completed the first draft on. Looking forward to the feedback I get at my critique group this Wednesday night! They are wonderful, and I know it will become a better story with their help.

Here’s my progression through this week…

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Where this story begins – my first blog post!

Filed under: Illustration,Shanda's Journey | July 28, 2012

Once upon a time I decided I wanted to be a children’s book illustrator! But … It’s not quite that simple :) This blog has been a long time coming, and for so long I have wanted to share my particular journey to my dream in a setting called my life where there’s a husband, a 2-year-old, financial limitations, time limitations, fear, and faith.

My first post is a simple one. Today I was watching my sweet pea play outside, so I squeezed in some drawing-from-a-live-model practice. Well, I tried anyway. She was too fast. I couldn’t even finish a one minute sketch, so I snapped a phone picture to get her still for a whole 3 minutes :)

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Then I took her upstairs and thought I might add a little color to my drawing. But painting and entertaining my squirt didn’t mix well. She ended up finishing it for me. Oh well, at least I snapped a picture of the pencil drawing before she got a hold of it :) She does love to paint! She says she’s an artist like me!

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So here’s what you can expect from this blog… my illustrations, inspirations, books, illustrators, art projects, my road blocks, my leaps, my tears, my triumphs and my life (the big and little times)! And here’s a big kiss to my sweet honey hubby, Ben who made my site look just the way I wanted it and encourages me to just go for it :)

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. -Proverbs 16:9 

Shanda McCloskey, Children's Illustrator & Author