This whole process is about getting a fresh start while building better and healthier processes with your creative process. From trying new things with no pressure to being comfortable with failure as it shows growth.
All you need is:
Paper, and a pencil. You don’t need any fancy materials to create art, medium used don’t change the skill level of the user! If there’s a medium you have that you want to explore go for it, but there’s no need to go and seek out something.
Items I use: I use the 360 Graf-book sketchbook, a ruler and a pencil.
To the right is the “artists Contract” I made for myself and can be taken as a loose outline for creating your own or copied directly there is a nicer copy in the shop as a 2$ printable.
Step 1: Making your own “self contract”, acknowledging that failing to meet goals doesn’t set your worth as a artist, designer or creator. After making or acquiring your own contract put it somewhere in the Sketchbook/Binder/Storage bin for your art.
Step 2 : Setting up realistic goals.
The example to the left is what NOT to do, while some were manageable others were way too ambitious and it is no surprise that only 2 of these were met. And worse I set a strict timeframe of all of these had to be done within 1 year!
I very quickly learned that putting too many goals or placing too high of expectations is going to lead you to stress over what is supposed to be fun. Setting a series of goals all varying in difficulty and not being afraid of a strict timeframe will not only make the process more enjoyable but also the outcomes will look more appealing.
Step 3 : Being willing to fail and make mistakes in order to learn. Failing to grasp a concept or even to reach some of your goals is okay, even just attempting something paves the way for you to improve down the line.
Step 4 : Starting! No more thinking about this, its time to start! If the first page is too daunting to attempt then start on the second or third page, It doesn’t matter where you are starting just that you do. It can be knocking out one of your goals, or it could just be something that came to mind and you wanted to make it. This is a place to learn and have fun not stress over every page like its homework.
From my experience this process takes a lot of pressure off of me when creating something, whether its a drawing, or a craft, or even just a loose sketch on a sticky note. I am no longer afraid to fail at something, it just means I have something to improve upon and can attempt when I think I know how to. I also can adjust my timeframe and goals to suit any events or obligations is my daily life with no guilt or added stress.