What to help with drawing

[Existimatio]

Hey to all you artists on the site, what puts you in the mood for drawing? I mean drawing like, breast expansion/body expansion etc. of course. Is it music? Are you in a certain mood? Because there are countless times when I'd like to draw something along those lines but I can't seem to get in or - more importantly - stay in the mood to draw it. Thoughts?

[Muhznit]

My personal tip: Don't fap while drawing.

[jacques00]

For me, drawing goes in two ways: draw because you want to, or draw because you have to. The former relates to drawing because of self-interests. If you love the subject matter and you really want to do draw it, then draw it! The latter relates to drawing out of necessity, such as earning money or giving back for some kind of trade. If your priorities are set right, these are the kind of drawings you do because it's a part of the business.

Of course, these two can overlap, and when they both agree, I can say that personally my production level raises dramatically--meaning I'll keep interests a lot longer and I'll more than likely get the job done a lot faster. So it always helps if you are doing something you like and you know you'll get something extra in return.

As for what get's me going? Usually if I see something that really inspires me--like a piece of animation, another artist's work, or just a random idea after reading a story. These things give me motivation to get started on something, but depending on the level of ambition, it can either take me forever or never to finish. Usually though, the quickest drawings are done for the reason of "I just felt like it" without a lot of outside input--so personal reasons have a lot to do with how motivated you are.

With exception to drawing for others because of necessity, if you are drawing for yourself, the best mood to be in is to draw and not care about what anyone else thinks. Should you really care if it's been done a million times before, or if it's unique and original, or even if it's something totally radical that you lose your audience completely? Should you even share it anyway? All these put external stress on what you want to do and becomes a de-motivator for personal work. If it requires that you need to listen to music, jog a lap or two prior, or drink a glass of milk, then by all means--Just get yourself in the zone!

Honestly though, in addition to what I mentioned above, I find that I am the most productive when I have no music, no Internet (or limited Internet use), and when I'm not near anyone who would likely interrupt me when I draw, regardless if what I am drawing is for personal of business use.

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy reply and if any of this makes any sense, I hope it helps!

[Existimatio]

Originally Posted by jacques00

For me, drawing goes in two ways: draw because you want to, or draw because you have to. The former relates to drawing because of self-interests. If you love the subject matter and you really want to do draw it, then draw it! The latter relates to drawing out of necessity, such as earning money or giving back for some kind of trade. If your priorities are set right, these are the kind of drawings you do because it's a part of the business.

Of course, these two can overlap, and when they both agree, I can say that personally my production level raises dramatically--meaning I'll keep interests a lot longer and I'll more than likely get the job done a lot faster. So it always helps if you are doing something you like and you know you'll get something extra in return.

As for what get's me going? Usually if I see something that really inspires me--like a piece of animation, another artist's work, or just a random idea after reading a story. These things give me motivation to get started on something, but depending on the level of ambition, it can either take me forever or never to finish. Usually though, the quickest drawings are done for the reason of "I just felt like it" without a lot of outside input--so personal reasons have a lot to do with how motivated you are.

With exception to drawing for others because of necessity, if you are drawing for yourself, the best mood to be in is to draw and not care about what anyone else thinks. Should you really care if it's been done a million times before, or if it's unique and original, or even if it's something totally radical that you lose your audience completely? Should you even share it anyway? All these put external stress on what you want to do and becomes a de-motivator for personal work. If it requires that you need to listen to music, jog a lap or two prior, or drink a glass of milk, then by all means--Just get yourself in the zone!

Honestly though, in addition to what I mentioned above, I find that I am the most productive when I have no music, no Internet (or limited Internet use), and when I'm not near anyone who would likely interrupt me when I draw, regardless if what I am drawing is for personal of business use.

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy reply and if any of this makes any sense, I hope it helps!

Hey I appreciate it haha yeah I tried drawing for someone else a long time ago and it seemed that I just can't work under pressure. So I should enjoy the subject matter eh...thanks, these are all really great tips

And @Muhznit: yeah....that seems to kill my creativity

[ReturnofKooh]

Always keep in mind that if you don't draw, you'll descend into mediocrity.

[CK01]

Being relaxed. Stress kills it for me whether its just for me or owed work.

[Kojiro Highwind]

Some effin music RAWR! Put on some DJ Okawari or some Iosys and let the sounds weave the scenes in my head.

BTW did't we like just get a new forum section for this kind of stuff ^^;? Like a kind of artist hub :P where people can discuss how to get inspiration and ideas and stuffs?

[Existimatio]

AH well I haven't really checked much besides the Breast Expansion forum for the longest time -_- but thanks for letting me know Kojiro hahaha. But yeah I agree with all of you guys. Good music, being relaxed and enjoying what I'm drawing.

Now, to get into that state, I shall meditate. Ommmmmmmm....

[mr--clean]

The best time to draw is when you shouldnt be drawing. Like say during math class or when doing your taxes.

[resiz3d]

Looking at another talented artists work always gets me in the mood to draw. When I see stuff by an artist whose work I admire I look for techniques to steal :P Whether it's proportion, the way they draw clothing or shade the skin, whatever.. it motivates me to bust out the wacom pad and try to draw it myself.

On the audio side - Lately it's been Tron:Legacy, Devo's Something for Everybody or Queen albums (Flash Gordon & Highlander Soundtracks, Platinum Collection) Oh, love me some ELO. Also podcasts - Webcomics Weekly and Writing Excuses in particular.

Other times I'll throw all the AMV Hells and Minis in a playlist and just let those roll through on the 2nd monitor. At first they're distracting cuz they're so awesome but after a few dozen playthroughs (not exaggerating) it's become the perfect background noise for me. A constant slideshow of various visual and animation styles also probably helps. (Oh look how they draw eyes in X and look at the character proportions in Y! I can totally try that!)