Tag: flow

Reflect, Get In The Flow and Endure

In these Creative Work Problems comics, I give you tips on three topics. The first is about reflection and how it helps us get the creative juice out of ourselves. The second is about flow, and how we can use it to work better and even lose track of time. The last comic in this series is about endurance and how we need to train it to become better and stronger artists and designers.

Reflect

Creative Work Problems comic reflect

Even if you can work: Reflecting on the things you are doing in your creative process from time to time is always a good idea! You will see problems that you did not even anticipate.

How you can do it:

  1. Schedule weekly time for reflection
    • Set aside time in your schedule for weekly reflection. This will establish a routine and ensure that you regularly evaluate your creative process and learn from your experiences. I do this every Monday morning for an hour.
  2. Identify challenges
    • Focus on distinguishing between challenges you anticipated and those that caught you off guard. Understanding unexpected issues is important to develop strategies for addressing them in future projects.
  3. Set goals for improvement
    • Based on your reflections, set clear, actionable goals for improvement. These goals should be specific to areas where you have identified challenges or opportunities for improvement.

Get In The Flow

Creative Work Problems comic flow

Flow is my addiction and the reason why I do all this stuff. It’s so nice when you’re in the flow and I’m always very relaxed in the evening after my creative work when I’ve been in the flow all day. Ask the questions in panel three to get better at flow!

To do it you need to answer these questions if you have problems getting in the flow:

  1. Do I know how to succeed in this task? Do I know the goal?
  2. Do I know how to get immediate feedback?
  3. Do I have the right amount of challenge?

If you want to know more about flow I recommend you to read this book.

Endure

Creative Work Problems comic endure

You have to endure something now and then to make it easier later. That’s why it’s often helpful to get out of your comfort zone and do things you need to overcome.

So how do you overcome it? Just do it! Yes, I know. You heard it somewhere already. But this is the key to endurance. There is a time when your emotions are overwhelming you. Don’t stop! Keep going! You will learn to endure it. It is like exercising: It hurts at the moment, but over time you will get better.

Those three comics are the last of the first series of my “Creative Work Problems” comic. You will find the new ones I do on Instagram. The second series is already three comics in! I will post them soon here too. Stay tuned!

Automatic Drawing

Automatic Drawing Start Technique

So What is Automatic Drawing?

Automatic drawing, also known as automatism or psychography, is a form of surrealist art in which the artist allows his or her hand to move freely across the paper or canvas without consciously controlling the movements. The aim is to tap into the unconscious mind and bypass rational thought, allowing spontaneous and unfiltered expression to emerge. Similar methods are free writing, brainstorming, intuitive music, and automatism.

Automatic techniques like automatic drawing often involve entering a meditative or trance-like state, allowing the artist to access deeper, subconscious thoughts and emotions.

The results can vary widely, from abstract shapes and patterns to more figurative and recognizable forms. Artists and designers can choose to interpret and refine the spontaneous marks later or leave them in their raw, unaltered state.

This technique serves as a means of creative exploration. It is an invitation to let go of preconceived notions, embrace uncertainty, and tap into the untapped reservoirs of creativity within your creative mind.

Proko did a YouTube video with Tim Gula about this topic. Check it out with this link.