I haven't spent 10 year practicing for 3 hours a day. But I did realise that being focused on what I produce and hating the process was not healthy for me or useful. So, through a variety of personal ways (happy to go into it via DMs but its long winded) I have learned to like the process and hopefully will love the process soon. And... because I like the process I also like what I produce more.

So I ordered The Natural Way to Draw. Marshall gives a good sales pitch, and it actually sounds like the kind of exercises that I'm looking for. Let's see if I can make it through the 750 (375) hours of practice...

I'm also wanting to do comics and graphic novels and I really recommend a writing course (especially screen writing) for people doing it. I hate to say it but I see, especially with web toons, a lot of great art being wasted with mediocre and derivative stories.

The bit at the start hit me. I've have all the time in the world (unemployed and doesn't look to change any time soon for reasons I won't go into) but actually spending it on self improvement, including art, has been a real struggle. I'm even watching this rather than doing actual practice. Anyway. One thing it took me a while to realise was how addictive video games and social media are. And how if you are addicted to things you struggle to get satisfaction from less stimulating things (including putting in the hard yards in art) for various dopamine reasons. I binned social media and gaming almost entirely and kind of faked enthusiasm for hard practice (making myself have a positive emotional response early in art practice and at the end). Now I crave doing art where as I'd crave 'a quick look on reddit' that would end up being an hour before. I actually feel sorry for kids these days. So much is targeted to them with addiction being a part of the design (like tik tok or vapes) that its a real minefield.

Okay, this is my 2nd review. I did like the first episode and you gave so many important information. As a beginner (complete beginner) I believe copying the photos or drawings of our favorite artists will help us to draw our imagination. Because, working on the fundamentals is good but seeing those in action will let us know if we are doing right or wrong. Of course this is my opinion without copying and imitating we cannot improve our muscles and eyes. Thank you so much for this episode.

As mentioned early. Copying is something very underrated for new artists or artists learning new styles. Humans are pretty good at copying, even have a special part of the brain for copying physical movements we see others do. Just getting stuck in and trying to replicate something you like. Fake it until you make it works for so many situations in life. Like its also great for new artists to do fundamentals etc but mix it up with copying.

The bit about making behaviours that you want in others easier to do is very important. People overlook that its also true for ourselves. If you want to form good habits and behaviours in yourself, remove the barriers to actually doing them and you'll thank yourself later.

Spending time working out why I found my creative endeavours draining was important to me. I won't list off what I worked on because we are all different. However 2 things. 1) making sure at least half my time drawing was just creating with no pressure rather than all practice and studies was key. As was 2) learning to love the process rather than the outcome. If you are struggling to get the practice time and enjoying the practice (or at least your slow improvement). It is worth spending time with some inward reflection finding out why. Now I'm finally at the point where its worth taking proper courses to improve rather than the occasional YouTube video and just copying/ studying things. Looking forward to this course and the others I've signed up for. Lots more work ahead.... lucky I enjoy the work ;)