Making Original Art Is Hard

Intro

Over the course of the last year, I’ve had it in my mind that I need to make more original art. Illustrations specifically. When I was younger, this was much easier to do - as most things are. I was able to be productive along with have a balanced life. Occasionally I could draw on the side and it was no issue to get started or to finish an illustration. Unfortunately, it has become much more difficult for me to sit down, and spend time drawing. Even, when it’s something that I really want to do.

Some people might see this and think “well he animates all the time, so that counts”. Sort of. Animation requires a slightly different skillset than illustration does. While my animated skills are getting better, my drawing skills are stagnant. There are other reasons why it’s good to get back into drawing and why I want to. Making these illustrations helps my technical drafting skills, it helps expand the range of content that I provide, it’s fulfilling creatively and it allows me to develop merchandise. What makes this all the more troublesome is that I have lists of ideas that I would like to illustrate. Similar to my list of animated shorts ideas. However, when it’s time to get started on these projects, my desire to do them vanishes.

Live look at my canvas after 2 hours of drawing

Since this has been going on for a while, I’ve had time to ruminate on this. I think the main reason that I can’t bring myself to illustrate / sketch anything is because I’ve dedicated all of my available mental and physical ‘work’ time to making shorts. The time where I’m not working on these shorts, which are relegated to a couple of hours each day, I much rather relax. In short, I’m burned out.

Mentally, I find myself overcome with a bit of panic if the time I use for animation is put toward anything else. It’s as if the looming thought in my mind is that I won’t be able to finish my shorts in time. I’ve stuck to this intense schedule for almost 5 years now so making sudden changes can be difficult. Interestingly enough, my library of shorts has no effect on negating this feeling of anxiety. I would have assumed that the fact that I have enough finished content for a few months, and scheduled content for half a year would lower the anxiety, but the beast always needs to eat.

I think the solution ultimately is to adjust my production schedule to allow for some time away from animation. At least, that’s where I think I should probably start putting energy to. I think once production for this year’s shorts finishes up, I’ll be able to take some time to recalibrate. Hopefully during that time, I’ll be hit with the doodle bug.

-Until next time-