Welcome Harley! Don't worry... we are creatives, and we have a million details swimming around constantly, which can make this journey seem sorta daunting. I was given the diagnosis ADD 20 years ago as a result of years of therapy and frustrating bouts of depression and anxiety. Well I am hardheaded and determined to master the art of focus and found that it can be a detriment if you allow negative perspective of yourself and where you currently stand OR you can see yourself as you are: Uniquely and highly perceptive: you note details and information far more intricately than other people so the work really is to honor this gift, and set up a system that works for you. That said, as a creative, my lifetime theme has been to train my brain to stay focused and try to organize and stay on task, so I made three achievable habits that help me in this every day. Of course, adapt what works for you, toss out what doesn't resonate, and see what happens! SO... here are three things for starters:
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DRAW EVERY DAY... and, finish each piece, as much as I can. This means to not get lazy if I lose interest or if the project starts going off the rails. This sort of "pushes" me to drive toward getting better and finish projects. So for example I drew 50 things as Will Terry says to do. 25 things into it I found I was letting Instagram distract me, or texting... or even wandering thoughts. So I broke this project up into segments so I felt like I could pace it and get a sense for paid commission work, that I might encounter the same blocks. And, I also took Jake's advice and drew 50 hand positions because my hands sucked for years. So that really got me through alot of sticking points, to make even filling sketchbooks and do stuff I'm not as comfortable with as smaller goals to work toward. Doing the monthly challenges stretches my storytelling abilities OMG! As I'm working if I start losing steam I take a break and check in here on the forum or look at other work for inspiration but essentially, I pay attention to the way I'm feeling. If I am feeling good, I keep going. If I start getting judgey or frustrated I give myself permission to not be perfect right now, take a break and even leave for awhile and do something else until I could get those creative juices going again. In a nutshell I personally have found if I am wanting to improve but coming to a stuck point that's my first clue to find a way around that obstacle with digestible segments where I feel like I am accomplishing what I am intending to do.
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Challenge myself with techniques, skills and fundamentals by doing master copies. I made a list of 20 artists whose work I admire by noting their linework, energy, color palettes etc. and am currently making a goal to create at least 3 pieces from this group for portfolio work. I am finding I naturally gravitate toward a clearer look when I listen to myself and feel like I eventually arrive to solutions when I relax and trust it happens organically through the practice. Also it is encouraging to know this is part of the process in learning how to focus, as it is a new skill that becomes a habit. And, because there is so much to do, it's like "where do I start" kind of thing. Trying to find that cool vibe that is uniquely me and I want to generally stick with so my work is consistent... Might be a lifetime effort.
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Take time to learn the digital tools, traditional tools that I am unfamiliar with and most importantly to keep art fun so I DO want to keep doing it. If I start feeling like I "HAVE" to then it feels like drudgery and I will not keep it up then. I made a conscious decision to be nice to myself, allow for time to grow. So like in golf, it takes practice and knowing learning steps to master a golf swing is constant work. But dang it's rewarding when you break through some resistance and discover new ways of creating, solving problems, and a huge side benefit is you learn so much about yourself!! SVS has significantly helped me release tons of anxiety (used to be immobilizing) as the classes really do distill down the basics. I see it as being in "class" without the anxiety of getting a good grade in a traditional school setting. Dunno this really seemed to work for me. Also noting other artists and their unique approaches to solving design dilemmas seems to be so incredibly helpful. There are so many super talented artists in this forum and we are truly fortunate to have this support for sure.
So hope this helps. What a cool journey though!! It's one you find you travel mostly alone yet you are not alone as we are all here to help support each other, provide insight and feedback. An artist is deeply introspective and highly sensitive, and very needed in the world to convey thought and ideas into visible form.
Glad to meet you and yes post your work so we can get to know you!!
Erin