I take a lot of online classes, painting, illustration, software, mixed media.
I’m also one of those people who googles stuff in the middle of a tv show or movie, who’s that actor, where was this filmed, is that hairstyle period-appropriate, where did they get those shoes, who designed that fabric? I probably drive hubby crazy with that action, but it is what it is. lol
For my work, I like to try different things that are outside my main comfort zone, and learn new techniques that aren’t part of my usual skills. Sometimes something small will twig a new direction or idea for my licensing work, or be a huge help to my process, like a shortcut in Photoshop or Procreate, or how to use a specific tool in Illustrator.
Nobody knows everything about their trade or job or interest, there is always something to learn.
If you believe you’ve learned it all and stop exploring and learning and trying new things, your spirit dies. End of.
(Plus nobody likes a know-it-all with a shitty attitude. So there.)
I remember asking someone who had purchased an expensive musical instrument, and who hadn’t really played since they were a kid, so are you going to take lessons?
And they got SO offended! Absolutely not, I am a master conservatory blah blah blah musician!
But they hadn’t played in decades. They hadn’t touched their chosen instrument since they were a kid. & suddenly now they were a maestro? Without having practiced or played in so long?
Even the most beginner musician would have something to say about that.
Personally, I love learning new things about what I do.
I learned my design software back in the 90’s when it was pretty basic. Not much to it really.
Now, however, there are a boatload of new tools and techniques that make it so much easier to achieve what you want. So I’ve started taking classes to learn how to use all the newfangled things and man! It’s insane! I love it! These young’uns don’t know the pain of setting text on an arc & having to do multiple steps just to get it there when now you can flip and rotate and do all kinds of crazy stuff with it all in a couple clicks!
But anyway.
I’m doing a painting class right now that is SO fun. It’s kind of loosened up something in me, like just make art, who cares! Paint!
I wasn’t sure if I’d have time but I decided to go for it & I am so glad I did.
The instructor is super casual, no extensive lists of specific supplies, just 3 small canvases & some paint basically. He starts by having us sketch characters from things around us, like a coffee mug or a computer monitor, and add faces to them! Then we move to small canvases and get busy painting.
He shows his method but encourages the students to just paint, it doesn’t matter, just do it. & tell stories about your characters as you work on them, which is hilarious & fun and leads you to add other things to the scene that might not have happened otherwise.
I’m a planner, I don’t do spontaneous very well, not only in art but everything else in my life. It often makes me wonder if I’m neurospicy in some way, but that’s another topic for another day.
I always get wrapped up in the details, getting the drawing just right first (then never getting to the next step and never starting painting) or perfecting the colours or style first, but I followed along & just went for it & it was so freeing. & now I’m addicted! So what if you don’t like it, just paint over it!
Here are 3 paintings I finished from the class exercises, they’re not “perfect” but who cares! & what is perfect anyways.
So now I’m moving on to bigger paintings, and will just keep going & making art, learning as I go.
Although! I admit now that I am actually planning these ones so they come out how I envisioned them.
There’s always something new to try or explore and to learn. Even if leads to a dead end or you don’t actually like doing whatever it is, you tried and you learned something. And that leads to learning something else or discovering something else, and it builds and builds and your skillset and knowledge grows.
So what’s next on the list?
- I want to learn & study editorial illustration, and add some to my portfolio.
- Same goes for surface patterns for homewares like plates and dishes.
- And writing, specifically for children books and stories, end goal of being an author/illustrator.
I could keep myself busy for years and never get it all done. And that’s ok! As long as I keep going and trying and learning, I’ll be happy.
You can never know it all, and that’s a good thing!
A little house I made in Fodder School 3
Keep learning and trying and experimenting and you never know what might happen next.
And that’s where the sweet spot is.
If you’re looking for some fun creative classes or programs to try, here are a couple favourites of mine to go explore & find your next thing to try: