06-10-2016, 02:26 AM
So, after trying and failing a number of times at getting a schedule going that I can stick to I'm trying a different approach. Sort of more in line with SMART goals in a way, in that there is a measurable part to it.
It's basically a checklist with a list of tasks to do. In the past, if I changed my main area of focus to something, I find I can get stuck on that subject for long periods of time, unwilling to move on until I've 'perfected' it but that level of perfection I'm seeking would probably take years not weeks or months. So I would keep going and hammer myself into a subject until I got burned out - or I'd stay with something for a short time but move away as soon as something that sparked my interest more came along (which is probably a better way but meant I didn't give a decent amount of time to some things, especially stuff I found hard).
So, accepting that I won't be able to 'perfect' or 'master' a particular area the first time through, I've set myself limits and specific boxes to tick. Right now I'm working on facial expressions, figures in perspective and attempting to keep my inking skills up. The idea is that after I've done the drawings and ticked the boxes, I move on to the next thing regardless of how I feel about what I was drawing (although I will maintain practice and apply the knowledge learned when sketching in my sketchbook in the evenings or doing comics or illustrations). Hopefully this way, completing the whole study area instead of getting stuck on one thing I will progress better overall, and when it's complete I can make a new one to address whatever other weakness / areas of study I need to tackle!
I'll post up again with my progress in a month or so (if all goes well!). Let's do this!
Any comments about obvious flaws I've missed, ways to improve this or any other thoughts are welcome!
It's basically a checklist with a list of tasks to do. In the past, if I changed my main area of focus to something, I find I can get stuck on that subject for long periods of time, unwilling to move on until I've 'perfected' it but that level of perfection I'm seeking would probably take years not weeks or months. So I would keep going and hammer myself into a subject until I got burned out - or I'd stay with something for a short time but move away as soon as something that sparked my interest more came along (which is probably a better way but meant I didn't give a decent amount of time to some things, especially stuff I found hard).
So, accepting that I won't be able to 'perfect' or 'master' a particular area the first time through, I've set myself limits and specific boxes to tick. Right now I'm working on facial expressions, figures in perspective and attempting to keep my inking skills up. The idea is that after I've done the drawings and ticked the boxes, I move on to the next thing regardless of how I feel about what I was drawing (although I will maintain practice and apply the knowledge learned when sketching in my sketchbook in the evenings or doing comics or illustrations). Hopefully this way, completing the whole study area instead of getting stuck on one thing I will progress better overall, and when it's complete I can make a new one to address whatever other weakness / areas of study I need to tackle!
I'll post up again with my progress in a month or so (if all goes well!). Let's do this!
Any comments about obvious flaws I've missed, ways to improve this or any other thoughts are welcome!