Getting Stuff Done- Patreon Newsletter June 19th (Patreon)

Hey Artnerds!

This week, I've been working on getting new lights installed in the studio, working on that massive Schmincke supergranulating watercolor fieldtest, and working on correcting Chapter 9 roughs and printing out bluelines.

It can be really challenging to tackle big projects- at first glance, they're overwhelming, and it can seem almost impossible.  There are a few tricks that can make any huge task more approachable.

Years ago, on the Nattosoup Studio Blog, I talked about how to accomplish any large, daunting, overwhelming task.  You take the same approach that the mouse took when he ate the elephant- you take it one bite at a time.

This isn't just great advice for people who deal with anxiety and overwhelm, it's also great advice for people who are just plain busy.  How do you accomplish that huge task you've always talked about, but never found the time for?  One tiny bite at a time.

I used to talk about this game called Least I Can Do.  That's when you take a task and break it down into the absolutely smallest increments.  Open up the file.  Find a manila folder to put the pages in.  Print something out.  And you just keep doing those teensy tasks, one after another, until you hit flow or a rhythm.  This works for busy folks too, although a master checklist is helpful in making sure you don't forget something in the hustle and bustle.

Don't Break the Chain is another helpful game for accomplishing huge tasks.  You divide your huge task up into smaller, discreet increments- something that can be done and completed every day.  It might be tempting to load yourself up and get it done faster, but burnout can be debilitating (boy do I know), so sustainable is best.  It's better to start out light, figure out what works for you, and add on as you go.

It's important that you set yourself up for success.  If you need to start a new task when you get up or get home, set up your workspace before leaving it, so it's primed for you to complete the task when you return to it.  For ADHD me, this helps me prime my brain as well- the table is set, it must be time to work!  Having designated tools for the task (like the daily driver palette, or my comics pencil case) that are always ready and available means I'm not scrounging for materials.  And before I start a new chapter, it's a great time to reup on paints, leads, and other important necessities that are annoying to run out of when you're in your stride.

I have a new game now, and it's a bit cruel, but I'm going to share it with yall anyway.  It's called Just One More Thing.  When I have a lot of backlog to slog through, or am just flat out exhausted, I'll pick one task that I would normally postpone it and add it to the pile, slogging through it anyway.  It's cruel because this isn't a sustainable way to live, and it's a fast track to burnout, but if you know you're going on a trip, or will have to take time away from the project for a while, adding a little extra each night can help you build a backlog.

Maintaining momentum is important, but there are times when you're going to have to take a break.  Rather than beating yourself up over lost time, just focus on getting started again on a solid foot.

What I've Been Working On:

The Schmincke fieldtest is taking awhile to wrap up-  from swatching 40 granulating colors to selecting 25 to further fieldtest- that's a lot of drawing!  For this fieldtest, I decided to do a food theme.  It was a lot of fun drawing different plants, herbs, and  wild foraged foods!

I also painted this little cutie!

Early Access:

Super Easy Rainbow Watercolor Bookmark- Stashbuster: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-for-67059985

Flower Girl Printable Lineart: https://www.patreon.com/posts/flower-girl-67913012

New to the Public:

Tuesday, June 7: Dededepraise Watercolors from AliExpress- Student Grade Showdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88dL-DAu2eA&t=1254s

Saturday, June 11th : Superior Maser Level Watercolor Palette Unbox & Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1uDuxB0JMc&t=838s

Tuesday, June 14th: Was This A Mistake?  Using Maries Chinese Watercolor for My Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN_rwKffTMg&t=11s

Saturday, June 18th: Some Major Flaws- Arteza Everblend Brush Marker Fieldtest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH492qFaLes&t=2s