Buying out time to create Art.

An artist's life is undeniably a life of solitude. An artist is usually oblivious to what is going on around them while immersed in his art, even if there are others around them. I've learned from personal experience that an artist can suffer from isolating himself from friends and family in order to create. A good art session can last 12 hours without much time spent doing anything else. It's as if the passion to create fuels the artist's drive to pursue the finished product.

I have always been a loner or self-entertained. But sometimes I can loose focus of the important things.  After years of balancing my time spent drawing amidst other responsibilities, relationships, friends, family, work, recreation, and most importantly God (Studying, praying, going to worship, and telling others about the Bible) I have learned how to prioritize.

For Christians, prioritizing  life, art, and time spent worshiping God can be difficult at times. Our own selfish wants and desires often cloud our thinking. But if there's one thing I've learned it's that putting God first over all other things just seem to make everything else fall into place. (Matt. 6:33)

Children are another important priority. Teaching and spending quality time with a child and their upbringing is of primary focus to a father. Parents are obligated to do so by God. I'll be honest I get frustrated not being able to draw or 'set up shop' to create. I used to get really angry about not being able to find time to draw. But I had to re-prioritize my life and desires.

Artists, remember to make time for your family and for God. If you have no family to speak of then get out and enjoy nature and take a walk by yourself or with a friend. If you have family take them with you. Focus on the little things. Often the simplest pleasures are the most enjoyable!

Clarity

I am definitely starting to realize the importance of digitally rendered pages when it comes to creating professional comic books. The final result of a book that has been digitally embellished is much more appealing to the eye. I notice that it also provides a smoother transition for the story to go from the eye to the mind. I am learning a lot of technical terms and what steps to follow when using a digital program to draw. I have also  been watching vlog tutorials on how to draw digitally.
An Awesome tutorial on how to create a good pencil brush in photoshop.
I was shopping around online and I have found that the Wacom Bamboo tablet is the most favorable in my price range. I am also looking forward to starting school this semester for the spring of 2011. A lot of gears are turning and  ideas are being set into motion. Pages are being thumbnailed, sketched, and even a few trials and errors of hand inking have been accomplished while I anxiously await purchasing my tablet so that I can convert myself solely to digital inking. I hate inking with a brush and have found pens aren't much more tolerable.
Good things are in store. I have joined forces with the United Fanzine Organization, click here to learn more. I was honored to be accepted as a member and I am working on a drawing tutorial one page strip for submission to the next group zine. It's gonna be an awesome year guys. Hope all is well for you in your art laboratory!! Keep that pencil in your hand and never stop. Until next time, Have fun creating!