I didn't think about it before I started, but my almost daily practice of Sumi ink sketching has laid a golden egg! More than 300 ideas for abstract paintings and design! Just 10-20 sketches most days wasn't too big a project, yet repeated again and again, it's become quite a nice stack of ideas.
I have a similar feeling when I start a new sketchbook at the beginning of a trip. I don't know how it will turn out, but I commit to daily drawings, daily comments, daily facing a page and designing something unique. At the end of the trip, I have something amazing.
If I were to think about the end result when I was just at the beginning of either of these efforts, I think I would get overwhelmed or nervous about doing things perfectly. Grandly. Beautifully. But, by keeping my focus on one day, one set of sketches (really, 10-20 is not too much to tackle), or one page in a sketchbook, I have bite-sized bits that are easily done.
And a sweet reward for consistency.
Maybe that's why the tortoise wins the race in old Aesop's fable. Slow and steady. Not a bad way to tackle things.
5 comments:
Just in case you think it's just you and the Sumi, remember you have muses and fans and awestruck amigos out here watching!
I second your notion. Consistency pays off. As I was growing my talent/style/genre I followed just such a series of threads. Not the same ideas, or results as yours, but the same process. Walking along the ideas of my heart, rather than leaping here and there, losing contact with myself.
Sam -- thank you so much for commenting. It has been a little quiet lately and I appreciate your reminder!
Hi Pam! Thanks!
Kitty -- thank you for looking in and commenting. I'm walking most of the time but still occasionally leap here and there!
Wow! Your sumi pile seems to have really grown since it was last seen. I loved seeing the new abstract paintings that have come from these designs. Walking down that new inspiring pathway. I'm looking forward to seeing the Travel Journal.
Hi Suzanne! I've gotten some nice sketching in and will be happy to show you the lot when I get back later this summer! I look forward to seeing what you do with your summer art time, too!
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