What a coincidence this question showed up in my ask box! I had just been discussing this with a few friends of mine the other day.
In his book Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon makes a pretty compelling case for being boring. Stay inside and get your work done! I totally recommend this book to everyone—it is full of wonderful ideas…that I have stolen.
Keep in mind that the above advice is my ideal—it’s what I’m striving for, not necessarily what I’m always achieving. But it is always there to remind me of what my goal is, how I really want to be spending my time.
As a matter of personal preference, I like to take “me time” when I am not infringing upon any of my other priority relationships. This usually means me time is when the rest of my family is asleep. I think that’s pretty common behavior for most artists. I try not to stay up late, but rather to get up early to do art projects. It’s super hard to do, but it feels great to start my day with a burst of creative energy (rather than end my day with that burst, and then not be able to fall asleep at 3 am because I’m so pumped about a comic I’m doing.)
Hope some of these thoughts help. Like Mr. Kleon states in his book, most of this advice is autobiographical. I’m learning too. Happy schedule-making to everyone!
(PS, you should know that answering tumblr questions is a planned part of my schedule, and I will eventually get to all of you. My ask box is pretty backed up at the moment, but I have your messages and you have my apologies!)
Q
ca-boi-cham asked:
your blog makes me so happy. I was having an emotional breakdown and I saw your "let's play pretend" post. And then I started wandering around your blog and everything here was so super cute and lovely and cheerful. I feel a lot better now and I just want to grab a pencil and draw something. Thank you for cheering me up (indirectly... but thank you) !!! :">
A
This is my very favorite thing to hear. It is, in the most literal sense, the very reason I am making cartoons.
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a note!
So to answer your question, s-huang: rude people. (There are none of those in LA.)
Seriously, I love Portland. Also seriously, I am getting to everyone’s questions—they will be answered. I’m using my morning warm-up time to answer questions, so expect more answers next week. :)
Till then, be good!
Q
hatehateemilykate asked:
I can't believe I have never seen your blog before, I love your artwork! It's absolutely silly and adorable!
A
I’m so glad you found it! Silly and adorable are my favorite flavors of cartoon.
Q
twilightwitch asked:
You make me wish that I never stopped drawing. Do you think it's too late for someone who hasn't seriously drawn anything in years?
A
It’s never too late to start drawing again!
I have always sort of doodled on and off, but didn’t begin my art training in earnest until I was 26 and half way through a degree in Japanese language and literature.
Pick up a cheap sketchbook and some pens or pencils, and get to drawing!
Real life conversation with my soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter.
I am a wimp when it comes to pretending.
You didn’t really think I was above this terrible joke, did you?
Re-uploading this answer for reblogability, as per a request!
Q
thedaeligeek asked:
I was so happy to find this blog, and your latest cartoon advice for an animator! I am also aspiring to be an animator after college, and I'm curious, what are some of the best programs/equipment you can recommend? I use PSE 7 (sucks, came with my tablet), Sai (ok I guess?) and Gimp for animating. Yay for free stuff!
A
Free stuff is where it’s at! Use it as long as you can, until your professional demands require that you buy software.
Expensive tools don’t make great art. Learn all you can with computer paper and ballpoint pens, then work your way up!
Q
ndgo asked:
The more and more I look through your work, the more inspired I become. I can find the inspiration, and I draw all the time. I sometimes wonder if people who know me, hate me because I refuse to drop it as a hobby and job and just work like everyone else. But that's beside the point. Is there any way to like... convince myself to FINISH anything? I have a really hard time starting even a small repetitive animation, like a run cycle, and FINISHING it. any tips?
A
Start small! Finish one drawing.
Then go for something bigger, then bigger, then…take over the world!!!
Seriously though, don’t start with a novel. Start with a sentence. Grow from there.
Q
lookitsanapril asked:
I love tumblr, and I've learned a lot about drawing from the examples of the artists I follow, but so many of the comics that show up on my dashboard have swearing and a bunch of inappropriate content, and I HATE that. Your blog is beyond refreshing! I know I can follow you and not be afraid of what will pop up on my screen. I just wanted to thank you for being such an awesome example to me of good art with good standards! Also, your kids sound adorable. Say "hi," from their wannabe big sister.
A
Yeah, the blessing and curse of the internet is the universality of free speech. I wouldn’t change it for the world—there is too much good that comes from it, but you definitely have to keep away from the dark corners.
You can always feel safe hanging out here. My interests include:
the silly
the very silly
the cute
the very cute
comics about my kids
Don’t let the work day get you down—have a mutant dance party with Jubilee!!
(Epileptics, take caution—high contrast frames)
My son had his first lesson in heartbreak this week when his preschool ended. He loved that school, but it couldn’t go on forever.
It’s an important life lesson to have—after all, everything comes to an end eventually. As a dad, watching him grow up and learn this lesson was kind of bittersweet.
Haven’t posted anything from my sketchbook in a long while. I drew these yesterday during lunch. Photoshop ex post facto.
Jake Parker’s Spaceskull. Support his Kickstarter, dudes!
Animation by Anthony Holden
(can you believe I had to break up this gif into 3 parts? yeesh! see the whole thing in a hi-res loop on vimeo)
