Greetings.
I’m beginning this week in much better form than the previous as I believe I’m finally over what ever the hell that was (flu/ Covid/ other)? After summoning the strength to open my new acquisition, a MacBook Air, I loaded Clip Studio on to it & awaited the arrival of my new drawing tablet from Wacom, the Movink.
I’m happy to announce that it arrived on Wednesday on my birthday, & even though I was VERY keen to finally leave the house after 15 odd days of self quarantine the weather decided otherwise & snowed just enough to put me off stretching my legs. I should point out that I live in a geographical oddity (thank you Coens) that’s pretty much 3 miles from anywhere.
I figured I should lose the rest of my day trying to set up my ‘easy to install’ drawing system (pencil & paper anyone?), which I promptly did.
All I can really say about it at the mo is that I can’t wait for it to become second nature to me & my work flow to be even more productive. I’m honestly very excited about my comic work this year as the continuous drive to improve & produce the best comics that I can is very loud & persistent in the old noodle. Like a lot of us involved with comics in one way or another I find it’s constantly on my mind, 24/7, even when I should probably be concentrating on other things, it jostles its way to the front & demands attention.
Occasionally I override it by telling myself I need a slight distraction & to give myself some ‘daydreaming’ time. That most valuable of time where you change your surroundings, maybe go on a walk or sit in a cafe or pub? I find that when you allow yourself that kind of time, with no expectations attached, your mind can unclog some of the whirlpool that’s going around & around, unblocking the dam & watching it all flow again. I find just sitting in a pub, for example, & people watching can be a real inspiration, usually over a couple of long drawn out pint’s & perhaps a bite to eat. Note book / sketch pad at hand of course.
I’m a little spoilt for choice around these parts, north Cornwall, when it comes to looking for somewhere to have such days, but I don’t always take as much advantage of it all as I should. I must change that this year. Maybe head out a little further to avoid potential distractions of friends etc, especially if it’s good weather? It’s all too easy to put the books away & spend time enjoying good company in the sun with a few cold ones, & to be fair why not? Life shoots past at a steady old rate & so well why not stop to watch it all now & again, the dude abides.
I guess what I’m aiming at is that my inspiration & drive is building momentum once again after being ill & that really excites me. I can’t wait to meet the many new characters (& old) that’ll tumble from my mind onto screen / paper & see what kinds of adventures they’ll be getting into?
Catch you later on down the trail.
Rory.