This is the last post in the Every day in May challenge initiated by Frenchtoastgirl. The aim was to do something creative every day for a month, but I decided to do a finished drawing every day, just to see if I could pull it off. So, here are a few thoughts on the Every day in May challenge, now that I have worked my way through it:
The best part of it all, is that I have discovered that it is ALWAYS possible to find some little time to draw every day. Blogging about it was a bit harder to fit in to the every day schedule. Posting on my blog takes a bit of time, since it includes scanning and editing the image(s) in Photoshop and writing about it in another language than Swedish.
A not so good part was that I actually grew tired of it all before the end of May. Drawing almost turned into a chore, which is something that I don´t want my drawing habit to be. And the fact that I decided to post the drawings on my blog every day made it even harder, because then I felt the pressure to do not only a drawing, but a DECENT drawing every day. The freedom of doodling away kind of got lost, and I think it shows in the drawings towards the end of the month.
BUT then again... when I look at my tiny Moleskine now that May has come to an end, I feel incredibly pleased with the fact that I filled it. I did a small amount of work every day, and in the end it paid off. Not that my goal was to fill a book, but I suddenly discovered that by the end of the month I have quite a body of work here, that I didn´t have before.
So, my conclusion is that what I should do is keep doing SOMETHING every day, without limiting myself to drawing only. I have lots of ideas about paintings to paint, little projects to work on, but I often get stuck in the thought that I don´t have the time to do it right now. This month has proved that wrong. Right now is the only time I have, and I should start a habit of realizing my plans bit by bit every day instead of waiting until I get a huge amount of free time to spend on it. That huge amount of time never seems to come along.
I am very pleased that I participated in this challenge, I have learned a lot, and (despite a slight boredom at the end) had fun along the way. And kisses and hugs to all of you who checked in here every now and then and left encouraging comments - it is much appreciated! Thanks!
19,5 x 13,5 cm, Lamy Safari, Noodler´s Black and Kremer watercolours on a sketchbook page.
23 comments:
I have to do nothing else only agree with your conclusion , with every your word . Drawing every day is fun except you HAVE to..AND scanning..AND posting. But this good feeling finally...!
FABULOUS!! CONGRATS ON EVERYDAY in May!
I agree wholeheartedly - as you already know!
Congratulations on drawing every day in May! What an accomplishment!
Nina,
Congratulations on successfully completing the challenge. I really looked forward to seeing your work each day.
Woohoo! You did it!
Thanks for the month of lovely artwork!
Thanks for taking the time and making the effort! I have enjoyed all of you art and posts! Thank you.
Your blog is so inspiring. You made a big commitment and fulfilled it in spades. And the real winners are us, your viewers. I think these 31 sketches are all treasures.
Congratulations Nina! It must be lovely to look back on those sketches - and turn that Moleskine into something you now love! ;)
I find the scanning and posting very time consuming and even doing it every now and then can be a chore so I'm sure it must have been quite a challenge. I love your work so I'm glad to hear you will continue more often!
Congratulations on getting through May! It's been very inspiring to see your drawings every day.
A really interesting post Nina. The reason I did not participate in this challenge is really for the reasons that you have mentioned. When I first started blogging I'd decided to post everyday and after some time I found it was putting too much pressure on myself; the drawing was becoming a chore. I always wanted to produce something that wa 'bloggable'. I'm not somebody who feels comfortable about posting little doodles, sketches or stuff that I don't feel completely happy with up; I wish I was and envy those who do. It wasn't until I took that pressure off myself and thought 'Ok I don't HAVE to post daily' (afterall I'd made that rule, nobodoy forced me to do it!)that I relaxed again. I still draw daily but it doesn't always have to be posted. That gave me the room to breathe and enjoy drawing again.
Saying all that I could not be anything but pleased and very proud of the work you have produced over the last month. It's really beautiful.
Congratulations on making it all the way thru - you should be proud of yourself. And thank you for posting your experience with this challenge as well. You've encouraged me to make a better effort to do something every day. You're right - we're here now, now is what we have, we shouldn't waste it. Your last sketch is absolutely wonderful. All that crosshatching must have been very meditative. It looks beautiful.
these drawings are really nice, i like the penwork a lot, glad i came across your site!
Great sketches, as usual! I think I came to the same conclusions that you and others did about the everyday in May stuff. But, like you, I'm glad I did it and learned what I learned.
Congrats on making it through the month! it does get tedious - if you were just painting, and not scanning and uploading and blogging, it wouldn't be so bad. You've got to the creative heart and spirit of the project though, and that's what counts. ♥
Congratulations!
Such an achievement to keep this going and some lovely work as a result.
Now i'm just looking forward to some other handed (footed?? will have a go at that) drawings...
great phone...glad you made it to the end...may is such a LONGGGG month....
PS forgot to say your posts as usual are just awesome work
Congratulations on completing the every day in May Challenge. I've enjoyed seeing your work also. I love, love, LOVE your telephone drawing!! Keep up the great work, Nina!
Nina, congratulations! I always love your work, and it's been a real treat to have a look back at what you'e done this month.
I can't get enough of your work. I come back often and you "every day in May" has been great.
Great telephone and great conculsion..I share them!
ronell
Great sketch! Congrats for doing a drawing every day in May!
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