Making time for drawing/painting?

[JustinBeckett]

Hey guys,

I am sure everyone here all works full time, well, not everyone but alot of you. Besides the ones that work in a art related field. Ok anyways. My question. Well, i work full time every day, get home late, so i only have about 4 1/2 hrs at night from the minute i get home from work. Then i need to take care of some things, eat dinner etc. So now its down to 2 - 3 hrs. Then by that time im either tired or feel i need to use the time for something else.. Cause its very little. I mean do any of you have this problem? How do you guys work around such little time to draw, how do you give yourself that extra little kick to do it. Or make the best of it?

I donno if im makin sense right now. I just hate this little time i now have!!

Thx.

Justin.

[ceberae]

Do you work on Sundays and Saturdays as well? Holidays?

Me, I just draw whenever I have free time. And even when I don't: a lot of times, when I get frustrated, I need to drop what I'm doing and draw for a bit. May be not a good idea (if I was a heart surgeon or a pilot :upset: ), but it does help me calm down enough to be productive again, so that's a good thing.

[cateaic]

Im not saying Im great at making the most out of every day when I get home from work but I think it helps to have the mind set of making art for YOURSELF...I dont know, get selfish with it. I create art all day for someone else so its nice to come home and create whatever I want. I also find it helpful to post on art forums like this and find a group that you can get involved with online whose consistent. Seeing other people post daily can be really motivating.

I think the trouble comes when you want to create something expansive. Having to spend 3 hours here or 2 hours there can really take away from something you want to put all of youre time and passion into. Its not just another daily sketch you can crank out. Thats the hard part...chipping away and having to let it wait till the next day.

[elstabo]

well i haVE THIS PROBLEM EVER SINCE I GOT MARRIDE AND NOW I HAVE A KID ON THE WAY,,SO MY ART TIME HAS GOTTEN LESS AS WELL..BUT SOMETIMES I HAVE TO FIGHT MY WIFE JUST TO SIT DOWN AND PLAY WITH MY ART..ITS A BALANCING ACT..IM STILL TRYIUNG TO FIGURE IT OUT,,,,ALL I CAN SAY IS,,DO WHAT YOUR HEART CONTENTS AND FIND TIME,,CUASE TIME IS SHORT,,REGARDLESS IF YOUR WORKING FULL TIME,SCHOOLING TRAVELING,,KIDS AND WIFE,,ECT,,,IT LIKE I TELL MY FELLOW ARTSIT,,ITS ALL ABOUT THE ART,,BUT DONT TELL MY WIFE THAT,,SHE GETS ANGRY..LOL

[Zord]

Hey Justin, it's just all a balancing act, hardcore. Like Clowns holding elephants holding tea cups holding explosives. The thing is that sometimes there's less stuff to balance than other days. There was a thread similar to this one awhile ago, and someone said that if you're passionate about your art, you'll do it no matter what. I found the statement to be really inspiring, and now I sleep less but draw more. Hope this helps. :)

[seansea]

Very rarely would I draw on my own time because it was only a few hours per day. I've been lurking around CA for years and although tons of artists gave me inspiration I did nothing about it. One of my resolutions this year was to draw daily and I'm happy to say that I've been sticking to it and more importantly sharing it with other artists. The drawback (at least for me) is that the sketchbook thread is like crack.

I get tired, attempt to go to sleep but then the urge hits to look at one more sketchbook. Then I get re-inspired and draw all nigh and go to work with red eyes in the morning. This could be just a creative burst but I'm so scared I'll loose what skill I have if I don't practice. What I'm doing is insane and i wouldn't suggest it to anyone, but I'm getting something worked outta my system.

seansea

[markwagner]

They say you don't "have" time you "make" it. Yeah, good questions. I have found that trusting your art will lead you to many interesting places. Your art has a life of it's own, an energy... when you drop into a piece and you "feel" the power, the power feeds you, helps you show up again cause your charged, your psyched, the world wants and needs us creators.

If you are in crunch mode, which sounds like you are. I suggest cutting out all extra things that don't feed your creative spirit.... like TV, partying with old buds who just hang. Better to meditate and still your mind - very powerful. I also find the weekends can be good time, maybe be in your studio late Friday night, or early Sat. AM, or late Sat. night and cut out this that don't directly support this.

Thing is your at a place, either you keep leaning into your art and get to the next level where your work is your play and it's your art and income - if you want, or find peace with working non art related and do art on the side. Cut back on your work hours - get to 4 days/week or 4 -10 hr days.

Good luck, energy to create is a lot. And don;t make yourself wrong when your not always making art. I now have 2 kids. Make your life your art!

Happy Hunting,
~Mark

3 good books
Art & Fear - Bayles and Orland
The Courage to Create - Rollo May
The Artist's Way- Cameron?

[markwagner]

They say you don't "have" time you "make" it. Yeah, good questions. I have found that trusting your art will lead you to many interesting places. Your art has a life of it's own, an energy... when you drop into a piece and you "feel" the power, the power feeds you, helps you show up again cause your charged, your psyched, the world wants and needs us creators.

If you are in crunch mode, which sounds like you are. I suggest cutting out all extra things that don't feed your creative spirit.... like TV, partying with old buds who just hang. Better to meditate and still your mind - very powerful. I also find the weekends can be good time, maybe be in your studio late Friday night, or early Sat. AM, or late Sat. night and cut out this that don't directly support this.

Thing is your at a place, either you keep leaning into your art and get to the next level where your work is your play and it's your art and income - if you want, or find peace with working non art related and do art on the side. Cut back on your work hours - get to 4 days/week or 4 -10 hr days.

Good luck, energy to create is a lot. And don;t make yourself wrong when your not always making art. I now have 2 kids. Make your life your art!

Happy Hunting,
~Mark

3 good books
Art & Fear - Bayles and Orland
The Courage to Create - Rollo May
The Artist's Way- Cameron?

[squidmonk3j]

it's a weird question, really.

and, i guess the simple answer is: you make time. you make it your priority. if you can't "find the time", you probably don't want it enough. which is fine, really. there's plenty of other things to do - watch television, read a book, hang out with friends, go to a club, get married, raise a child - all are equally meaningful things to do in life.

[DavePalumbo]

I feel this way about excercising. It may be worse in a way because I often don't even want to do it really. I get it done, however, by telling myself that I have to do it and have no choice in the matter. I don't know if that works for everyone, but it mostly works for me.

[Interceptor]

I had a big problem that I've given up recently for the sake of art.
I used to drink too much. WAY too much. 4 - 5 nights a week, and not just a few drinks, mean getting PLASTERED. But.. because of this site, seeing everyone else's sketchbooks I have given it up almost completely, to make more time for art... Forget AA, all you need is CA :)

[Kian]

I recently left a indie project. It was taking so much time, that my uni studies were getting affected. The project has an awesome team, and genuinely does have a chance of making it. I knew there were skills I really needed to focus on and improve. It was a very tough decision. And I chose University. When I re-join the team eventually, I'll have spent enough time drawing that I'll be able to deliver the real goods.
Just yesterday I started drawing at 12 noon, and finished at about 9 in the evening. Now for me, thats the longest time I've ever spent drawing.

You can do it. Its just a question of just how bad dya want it? Something may have to give.

[EVIL]

I had a big problem that I've given up recently for the sake of art.
I used to drink too much. WAY too much. 4 - 5 nights a week, and not just a few drinks, mean getting PLASTERED. But.. because of this site, seeing everyone else's sketchbooks I have given it up almost completely, to make more time for art... Forget AA, all you need is CA :)
Imo, that fucking fantastic, AA+ to you man!

[onionface]

Hey justin

I had the same problem about 2 years ago, I was working full time at an animation studio, I'd get home around 5 or 6pm. I'd straight away make dinner and I'd eat it at my drawing desk. I would draw from 7pm till about 2 or 3am. I had to do it to build my animation portfolio. some times I would get only 1 or two hours of sleep a night, There was this one time I remember I went 2 weeks with out more than 3 hours sleep a night. though you do have to put sunday aside for sleeeeeeeeeeep.
But then I am an insomniac so I find it quite calming to stay up till 5am.

The most important thing I remember about those days was I never ever watched TV. and I had no internet and no games, no Xbox or playstation, no radio, only cd's and tapes. in other words no distractions at all.

[Shamagim]

Coffee :)

[Noë]

I'm very jealous of the people I know who only need 4 or 5 hours sleep at night.. I need at least 9 to not walk around yawning all day long.
I mostly think about drawing for a few minutes, and then ideas will pop into my head of things I want to draw. And then I'll start drawing.
If I don't get any Ideas I'll start browsing CA and see things like DSG and challenge arena etc and get motivated.
It's too bad that sometimes I forget all about drawing and just browse CA for a couple of hours :P So some self-control would help me.

I think that if you really wánt to, you'll find the time.

love,
Marleen

[glikster]

...get married, raise a child - all are equally meaningful things to do in life.
Um.... alternatives?

Dude... being an artist does not mean being a recluse (necessarily). You live in the world and your art is life's mirror (whether the common bathroom variety or funhouse craziness is up to you)...

Yes, those are things that can take up time that you might otherwise be drawing or painting, but they are also worthwhile things that give you a new perspective on life....


So... if you want to be a professional, you make it clear to those close to you, since they love you, they will respect your wishes. If you merely want time to work on your art for yourself (like myself right now), you make what time you have. Evenings as my daughter is going to sleep. Down-time at work. Taking a moleskine with me when I go out to the mall or shopping market... will you get frustrated about not having enough time? - yes.
Will you either do something about it or get over it? - I hope so.

[Jens]

Other than MAKING time, you can also try using time that is otherwise wasted by doing nothing. Take a sketchbook, pocket size and a pen, make life or imagination drawings on times when you're not doing anything usefull. Luchbreak at work? Take it out and sketch, who cares about food stains? :) Do you take the train, bus, public transportation? Sketch the people oon the bus. You gotta sit out the 30 minutes anyway, what else can you do other than staring at the ceiling. Mayby it's possible to switch transportation methods to work, to get some extra drawing time, it's also good for the environment ;)

Or when you're feeling tired and you really want to just sit and watch tv or some social interaction.. draw and watch tv/social interact at the same time, draw your wife/gf/dog/plant/couch, draw the tv, draw some characters. No tv is better of course.

Any useless 5 minutes can be used.

[HiddenSin]

I had a big problem that I've given up recently for the sake of art.
I used to drink too much. WAY too much. 4 - 5 nights a week, and not just a few drinks, mean getting PLASTERED. But.. because of this site, seeing everyone else's sketchbooks I have given it up almost completely, to make more time for art... Forget AA, all you need is CA :)

:heart: Thank god for CA. :)

[Carnifex]

I had a big problem that I've given up recently for the sake of art.
I used to drink too much. WAY too much. 4 - 5 nights a week, and not just a few drinks, mean getting PLASTERED. But.. because of this site, seeing everyone else's sketchbooks I have given it up almost completely, to make more time for art... Forget AA, all you need is CA :)
ohhh damnit,i'm in that phase now...although it's only 3 nights a week,but ohhh damnit...how old where you?

[blacky]

Sometimes I don't feel like drawing more than for 10min a day for a week or so (real lazy times) and sometimes I'd be trying to draw as much as I can. Mostly at work, at scool, in the sub....recently even at a nightclub during times when music sucked.
One thing I'm noticing about art is, that one ought actually spend same much time on reading as on drawing, to make your artworks more sophisticated and more intellectually appealing. Have been neglecting such a muse thing for quite a while. Damn it, tackes up time too.

[liam.c]

it might help you to allways have a pen or pencil wiht ya and maby a litle sketch book every one has times that crop up every day that your standing there or your hands and eyes are free you can squeeze in alot of extra drawign that way .

for me <and this isent for evey one > i jsut got rid of activitys that would hinder being able to draw and stuff .. i dont drink or party really any more <had plenty enough in highschool and first year of college> becase not that drinking is bad really but that i couldnt really focuas and draw and paint when i got home .

the other thing i did tomake time <not for every body agean > was to pare down how much i work for some one else to bare <and i meen bare> essentals so i have muhc more time to sketch and paint

also for sketchig i try to go to a restuarnt and drink coffie and stuff while drawing , that way i wont be distacted by all the fun stuff and not so fun stuff you can do at home .
and you get soem socalizeing in at same time hehe <cant cut off from the world ,,, world is reason for doign the art thing >

just try and allways have the materials with you so if you have even a min you can throw some thign down on paper or if you see some thing that cetches your eye or sparks an idea or some thing to learn from you have the nessary items to do it

art is one of those awsum activitys that provieds more energy then you put into it . it seems to create its own momentum .the more you do it the more u will want to do it and the more time you will find to do it . this is just a natural way of it .

[Interceptor]

I just turned 21 yesterday. So when I turned 18 and I could legally drink, I think i had my fun.. tonight, after my birthday party is like my official becoming an adult.
And thank you, EVIL :)

[Number_6]

Happy Birthday Interceptor!

I usually do all my drawing at night, sometimes in front of the TV (though it is distracting). Night's not necessarily a good time though, I might get cancer (http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4578575). Course, I'm not a girl, but you never know...

[DavePalumbo]

So when I turned 18 and I could legally drink

this confused me a minute. I forget sometimes how the rest of the world is more laid back about a great many things.

I have to say that most people I know who don't draw and paint as much as they say they'd like to tend to also party it up pretty regularly...

[JustinBeckett]

Thank you everyone! Really great suggestions/personal stories.

Anyways, i managed to talk my boss into giving me part time, so now im workin about 2 days less, so there is my spare time for art :D As well as squeezing some in at night.

I hope it all works out better now, i will keep all your suggestions in mind for when i do go back to work full time in the future. Till then, let my journey continue.

Justin.

[onionface]

18?

I grew up in South Africa, I was buying booze over the counter at 16.
I'd like to say that I had my fun and now I'm all grown up but it's not true.

I went on a 6 week bender round Oz, it was great. every night I got drunk. not just happy or tipsy. wasted. by the end of the trip I was shaking unless I had a beer by 5pm. ah good times. had to stop cold turkey when I got home, I had the shakes for about 2 days then I felt fine. I'm currently saving up for my next bender. I'm gong to try 12 weeks next time.

Beer gives me great Ideas, and lots of inspiration. it's just that I forget it all by morning.

[InkChick31]

I have an extremely busy schedule as well and my professor was commenting on the time to find drawing today. He gave some advice that seemed rather harsh and unspeakable but he's right....where there is a will there is a way. If your goal in life is to be an artist(no matter what industry) than you need to prioritized and start cutting out the extra fat so that you can accomplish your goal. if that is really want you want and your job is getting in the way...maybe u need to find a new one...The only way to get what u want is to go after it!