Drawing as a habit
Added 2024-11-17 22:33:21 +0000 UTCI’ve spoken before about my creative burn out after Owl House and probably one of the worst effects it had on me was breaking my sketching habit. It now feels uncomfortable to start drawing, even though I’ve done it all my life! Being disciplined doesn’t mean tackling big challenges all the time, it means repeating a task often enough that it becomes a habit, and once it’s a habit you start experimenting and playing and growing. I still have so much to learn but I have to get used to sitting down in front of a blank piece of paper again, with no plans or financial motivation, and just move a pen till something is done.
Part of getting back into the habit is getting back into figure drawing, which is fun! But doesn’t itch the “playful” part of my brain. So during my free time I’ve been going back into my high school sketchbooks (😭😭😭), where I was the most prolific, and just… redrawing random OCs LOL. It’s interesting to see what habits I still have and it’s nice to still feel connected with that younger, goofier version of myself. I will say I’ve definitely learned how to draw A LOT faster haha. Thank fuckin god.
YA DID GOOD, KID. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!
Comments
dana u inspired me to turn my ocs into characters and now im writing a show!
Emily Wilson
2025-02-14 09:26:16 +0000 UTCBurnout is very real. Thank you for sharing your feelings about it. It's wonderful to you drawing again. I look forward to seeing WHATEVER you create from now on.
Justin Cristelli
2024-11-20 04:57:22 +0000 UTCThanks for sharing!
Triana Orpheus Venture
2024-11-18 17:41:21 +0000 UTCAmazing art as always, and I feel you with the burnout, but what I do is looking at old cartoons back from like the 70s to the early 00s, mix and match ideas to see what sticks, which is why I have made my own universe inspired by old school action cartoon, and imo those cartoon dont have to just be for little boys but also little girls as well, so my sugestion, watch some old cartoon or even just the introes of them to get your spark of imagination back, hope this help, but anyway thank you for the Owl House, Because us weirdos have to stick together. And nobody should be punished for who they are! :3
tom david johansen
2024-11-18 04:49:29 +0000 UTCOh, gosh! Hope you finished your english homework on time.
will davison
2024-11-18 03:52:27 +0000 UTCThis is such a cute idea! Seriously, I love doing this. I love seeing other people do it, it’s such a great way to look back on and celebrate your growth and even bring back ideas with a new life. I feel you on burnout, esp if it’s cyclical; Sometimes I need to un-intimidate myself by just having fun and not worrying about an objective. On a final note: Wow these OCs are adorable, I love the fluffiness of the left and the goth aesthetic of the right! I’d like to imagine stories for them…
Sepublic
2024-11-18 01:54:36 +0000 UTCThese characters look incredible. I struggle to draw anything at all through the usual stress and routine. I rediscovered a part of why I draw after going through some nostalgia and "old" ideas. I filled two pages of a sketchbook. Here's to drawing more surprises. Thank you for sharing some inspiring creativity <3
Danny N.
2024-11-18 01:45:21 +0000 UTCI’ve been dealing with something like this recently. I’ve been drawing full time for seven years now and now something that used to be my comfort has been a struggle to get back into, especially on any days I designate a “day off” Very Jane Lane painting for profit
Wren Zephyr
2024-11-18 00:43:44 +0000 UTCThank you. I think that's what I needed to hear.
Michael G
2024-11-18 00:13:37 +0000 UTCI sit my butt down and force it. It doesn’t feel rewarding at first, but you gotta remember you’re playin the long game.
Dana T
2024-11-17 23:56:51 +0000 UTCBird skull hair clips? Nice
Antn100Q
2024-11-17 23:52:03 +0000 UTCI've always struggled with my sketches feeling "finished" so it always stopped me from sketching. But lately I've been able to push passed it to make some truly goofie sketches!!
Goblin
2024-11-17 23:32:44 +0000 UTCLove that after watching the owl house and being inspired and lifted in so many ways by it, Dana herself continues to do just that for me. Makes me wanna work hard ‼️‼️‼️ the burn out with drawing is incredibly real, but these posts somehow make it better.
Mikaela Kasese Johnes
2024-11-17 23:19:55 +0000 UTCIs the first one from 2007? Damn. Wish I had my drawings from high school. Most of my stuff got destroyed 12 years ago when Hurricane Sandy brought the ocean to my house. Spent two years rebuilding and couldn’t get back into drawing for a while. Here’s hoping you get over the burnout. Wish I could suggest something, but I don’t know of any way to get over such things.
Timothy Okun
2024-11-17 23:14:36 +0000 UTCWhen it comes to making sketching a habit again how do you motivate yourself to sit down ever so often and draw for a bit? Do you have a strategy or is just as simple as forcing yourself to do it until it happens on its own? (I'm asking for a friend)
Michael G
2024-11-17 23:09:40 +0000 UTCSometimes the best way to get outta a rut is looking back on your stuff 5-10 even 20 years ago and see how far you’ve come. Like there’s something therapeutic ‘bout just redoin work when you were younger.
Nemrex
2024-11-17 23:03:02 +0000 UTCThe burnout is real, but so is your determination. It indeed feels impossible to follow your passion when it feels everyone is questioning your decisions, be they financial or work related. Yet, here you sit, rediscovering ideas you had. Not to mention sticking strong to a good habit. You are an inspiration, and we will always have your back.
Drew Cornog
2024-11-17 22:54:05 +0000 UTCHonestly I feel that artistic burnout. When I had a bunch of friends and some relatives die on me in the past year I had no motivation to draw, I slowly started doing it again and then recently I did inktober and drew everyday, and now I actually feel the habit to draw at least once a day again. These are really good drawings and going back to high school sketchbooks and oc's is such a fun idea.
JF
2024-11-17 22:52:25 +0000 UTCHell yeah draw all the old OCs!! Give them new life!
Cos
2024-11-17 22:51:13 +0000 UTCHello from the Dominican Republic, thank you for creating The Owl House. You are an artistic genius. If you go, I would like to see your new series project. Personally, I would like it to be about psychological science fiction with a slight touch of horror.
Ernesto Jose Lantigua de los Santos
2024-11-17 22:50:50 +0000 UTCSo glad to see you are dealing better with these things! Its always a treat so see anything from you. ❤
Meri
2024-11-17 22:45:32 +0000 UTCDo these fellas have names would love to see more of them!
meepsalot
2024-11-17 22:42:34 +0000 UTCSometimes we feel that we cant do anything else, we are tired to live but at the same time tired to die, and if our souls are hurt, we can project the beauty of our existence in our art, BUT here is a trick, reconect with your iner self, that idealistic, cynic or sad person You were, like in this case in HS, now you are wiser and when you see your old self, she can tell you amazing ideas and You will fill yourself with those feelings and put in paper, music, letters or whatever you want to do :)
Emilio Martinez
2024-11-17 22:40:37 +0000 UTCThat first character looks interestingly similar to our favorite cinnamon roll.
Henk Telle
2024-11-17 22:39:57 +0000 UTCI love seeing the original and redraws! These are so good! I also sometimes find old poems from high school and see how my writing styles have evolved or still there. We all have the ability to learn and grow in our own way! Maybe I should to the same with writing!
Psychtaku
2024-11-17 22:39:35 +0000 UTCI understand the burnout and not feeling like it’s okay to sketch. It’s mourning, too, probably. But these sketches, the fact they exist, and the brave person who did them make me feel very good. It’s healing. Thank you.
Adam McIntyre
2024-11-17 22:39:31 +0000 UTCIt’s always an experience to dig up old sketchbooks. A peek into a previous creative headspace is a treat!
Collin McLeroy
2024-11-17 22:37:54 +0000 UTCKind of in the same place. Ever since starting art school, drawing without an assignment deadline approaching or for no academic purpose is difficult. A fun thing I try to do to keep the habit going is just drawing how I feel. Sometimes how I feel comes out as a character and sometimes it comes out as an environment and sometimes the price is abstract. Then I try to attach a story to it. (I know my explanation wasn’t super clear but, that is just what I do)
Achintya Mishra
2024-11-17 22:37:34 +0000 UTCYou think past you might have any critique on current you’s take on her characters?
Chris Wilcots
2024-11-17 22:37:31 +0000 UTCLove the little bat wings
Hannah
2024-11-17 22:36:47 +0000 UTCI love all of these and want to know all about them :)
Sam Cook
2024-11-17 22:36:22 +0000 UTCFantastic! Setting off a revelaiton (intended typo) in my brain. Thank you.
Michael Ferguson
2024-11-17 22:36:07 +0000 UTCKeep at it Dana! Good job pushing yourself and amazing drawings :D
Cynsane
2024-11-17 22:35:38 +0000 UTCAwww I love them!
will the fish
2024-11-17 22:34:59 +0000 UTCGood on you! They look fantastic!
The Pumpkin Usurper
2024-11-17 22:34:57 +0000 UTC
