Hello, fellow MATS student! I love the 'Cheese and Pickle' text too—I even created some artwork for it! I've been feeling pretty stuck with my portfolio lately, so working on a book dummy might be just what I need. Looking forward to seeing your work!
Ah! I happen to be working on a book dummy at the moment, for similar reasons. But I have definitely not set myself a timetable because I know I'd rebel against it in a rage - even just thinking about it makes me feel squirmy. 😅 But I have written on my whiteboard "Gulls" so that I stay focused in a very vague way. I might as well have written, "I'm not telling you what do, but remember that story idea about gulls? It's a fun story..." It's like walking on eggshells around myself sometimes. 🙄
That is such a great way to keep yourself accountable! I love that idea. It’s like let’s not pile on the pressure but keep reminding you in a nice way! I have no idea how this timetable is going to go. It’s more a topic for the day and I’ve definitely done some things very quickly and others have taken so much longer. At the moment I’m trying to do a minimum of 4 hours of art a day except on the weekends where if I want to then let’s go for it but no pressure. So a topic for the day is the best I think for me. Otherwise I’ll spend my whole time on character design where I’m not as confident on backgrounds to do the spreads.
I’m the same with characters vs scenes! I’ve challenged myself to focus of backgrounds and composition in whatever I’m doing, and improve that part as much as possible this year.
Me too! this is something I really want to get better at. I am currently doing studies of film scenes I like, where the camera is in different positions etc to get into the groove of more interesting compositions than just drawing straight on. I would love to see how your backgrounds etc are progressing. If you come up with any good practice exercises then let me know and I will do the same :D
Sounds like a good plan! I have tried to notice movie scenes but I get too into the movie and never want to pause or take notes. 😅 I am planning to write a blog post on how I end up working on the scenes and backgrounds for this gull book, mostly so that I actually remember whatever I learn. It's all trial and error now, but I don't want it to be trial and error again every time!
Have you seen the websites where it’s basically every frame of the film? Means you don’t have to keep pressing pause and get sucked into watching the film. That sounds like a great subject for a blog post! Looking forward to reading all about it!
Thank you!! The aim was to be as in depth as I could be to help people who are at a similar stage as me and haven’t had as much experience in creating dummy books so I’m pleased you think it would be a good resource! Means I have achieved what I was setting out to do ❤️
Super excited for you!! I am I. The same spot right now getting to work on FINISHING a book dummy for once as a portfolio piece haha!Can’t wait to read your updates, I totally fall into the same boat of thinking things will take a certain amount of time t of time, and the usually take more lol. Happy drawing and painting! ☺️🧀🫛 (these may look like peas, but I promise they are a pickle )
Oh my!!! I knew you were working on something yet was not sure my prompts were helpful 😅 - pretty chuffed at the fact that you mentioned me (though, I got no notifications). The pickle and cheese story seems awesome (knowing Zoë’s writing and inspiration sources), I am even sure it is! That action plan seems solid to me; make sure to add some socials mid- journey or some walks here and there, k?
Oh and fyi, There will be some work sessions this week happening on my side; I look forward to those.
Your prompts have been super helpful! I am still working on my mice story too but as that is still in the writing stages I wanted to get underway too on illustrating something hence why I chose the MATs text. I will definitely take up your advice too on taking walks and socials etc.
Let me know when you are thinking the working sessions might be. Would love to join if I am able to!
So inspiring! It’s so true though, I much prefer my dummy book sketches and key art work from those stories to my random, what shall I draw today ones!
Thanks for your insight on the dummy process! You may have just inspired me to create a schedule for mine - seems like a nice process you have :) Looking forward to seeing your dummy!!
Hello, fellow MATS student! I love the 'Cheese and Pickle' text too—I even created some artwork for it! I've been feeling pretty stuck with my portfolio lately, so working on a book dummy might be just what I need. Looking forward to seeing your work!
Ah! I happen to be working on a book dummy at the moment, for similar reasons. But I have definitely not set myself a timetable because I know I'd rebel against it in a rage - even just thinking about it makes me feel squirmy. 😅 But I have written on my whiteboard "Gulls" so that I stay focused in a very vague way. I might as well have written, "I'm not telling you what do, but remember that story idea about gulls? It's a fun story..." It's like walking on eggshells around myself sometimes. 🙄
That is such a great way to keep yourself accountable! I love that idea. It’s like let’s not pile on the pressure but keep reminding you in a nice way! I have no idea how this timetable is going to go. It’s more a topic for the day and I’ve definitely done some things very quickly and others have taken so much longer. At the moment I’m trying to do a minimum of 4 hours of art a day except on the weekends where if I want to then let’s go for it but no pressure. So a topic for the day is the best I think for me. Otherwise I’ll spend my whole time on character design where I’m not as confident on backgrounds to do the spreads.
I’m the same with characters vs scenes! I’ve challenged myself to focus of backgrounds and composition in whatever I’m doing, and improve that part as much as possible this year.
Me too! this is something I really want to get better at. I am currently doing studies of film scenes I like, where the camera is in different positions etc to get into the groove of more interesting compositions than just drawing straight on. I would love to see how your backgrounds etc are progressing. If you come up with any good practice exercises then let me know and I will do the same :D
Sounds like a good plan! I have tried to notice movie scenes but I get too into the movie and never want to pause or take notes. 😅 I am planning to write a blog post on how I end up working on the scenes and backgrounds for this gull book, mostly so that I actually remember whatever I learn. It's all trial and error now, but I don't want it to be trial and error again every time!
Have you seen the websites where it’s basically every frame of the film? Means you don’t have to keep pressing pause and get sucked into watching the film. That sounds like a great subject for a blog post! Looking forward to reading all about it!
Well that's helpful! I will check it out. 😁
Love how in depth you got with this post Emily! What a great resource for anyone starting their first dummy!
Thank you!! The aim was to be as in depth as I could be to help people who are at a similar stage as me and haven’t had as much experience in creating dummy books so I’m pleased you think it would be a good resource! Means I have achieved what I was setting out to do ❤️
Super excited for you!! I am I. The same spot right now getting to work on FINISHING a book dummy for once as a portfolio piece haha!Can’t wait to read your updates, I totally fall into the same boat of thinking things will take a certain amount of time t of time, and the usually take more lol. Happy drawing and painting! ☺️🧀🫛 (these may look like peas, but I promise they are a pickle )
Oh my!!! I knew you were working on something yet was not sure my prompts were helpful 😅 - pretty chuffed at the fact that you mentioned me (though, I got no notifications). The pickle and cheese story seems awesome (knowing Zoë’s writing and inspiration sources), I am even sure it is! That action plan seems solid to me; make sure to add some socials mid- journey or some walks here and there, k?
Oh and fyi, There will be some work sessions this week happening on my side; I look forward to those.
Your prompts have been super helpful! I am still working on my mice story too but as that is still in the writing stages I wanted to get underway too on illustrating something hence why I chose the MATs text. I will definitely take up your advice too on taking walks and socials etc.
Let me know when you are thinking the working sessions might be. Would love to join if I am able to!
So inspiring! It’s so true though, I much prefer my dummy book sketches and key art work from those stories to my random, what shall I draw today ones!
Thanks for your insight on the dummy process! You may have just inspired me to create a schedule for mine - seems like a nice process you have :) Looking forward to seeing your dummy!!