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A few months ago I put a call out for questions, and I plan to answer all of them over time! Here’s one from Tata Roldan:
Q: What about: color? shape? size? surface to paint on? time to paint? time to dedicate to painting? creating? blogging? family? HOW CAN YOU MANAGE EVERYTHING!?!?!??
A: I’ll take the questions in groups:
Color?
I have a “dull” color palette; bright colors scare me! But I tend to like aged or worn fabrics better than new ones, and dried up flowers after they’ve died at least as much as when they are in full bloom. I don’t really wear bright clothes… I just try to paint in colors I like!
Shape? Size? Surface to paint on?
I tend to work small. Most drawings or watercolors are about 5″x7″. I like working in the square format as well and always have a 5.5″x5.5″ hand•book sketchbook in my purse for pencil and ink work, mostly. For watercoloring, collage, etc., my go-to paper is Fabriano Artistico #140 hot press, traditional white.
Time to Paint? Time to dedicate to painting?
This is always an issue, and one I don’t really do very well! I do have my office configured so that I can paint a little, spin around and compute a little, then paint a little more after the first layer is dry. For example, I just added the white ink to this just now:
Then, at the end of the day, when I’m “done” with computer-y things, I might take a half hour or so to finish what I started during the day.
If I want to work larger, I need to dedicate an afternoon to it, and that usually happens on odd weekends here and there.
Creating? Blogging?
When I first started blogging in 2006, it was difficult to post regularly; I just didn’t know what to say! After about six months or so, though, it became a habit and something I “need” to do if I have missed more than a few days.
I think creating is like that also; it’s almost a habit. When I’ve gone a few days without making something new or solving some creative problem, I start to feel “itchy.”
Family?
I love my family! Besides work (which includes drawing and painting), I spend most of the rest of my time with family. My youngest son is 17 and graduating from high school this year, and my oldest son, his wife, and young son live nearby as well, so I spend as much time there as I can (Liam, 16 months, is SO CUTE!).
HOW CAN YOU MANAGE EVERYTHING!?!?!??
Barely! Since I spend most of my time at work or with family, lots of things don’t get done very well — paperwork, housework, reading — these things suffer a lot. For example, the trash only gets put out to the curb an average of 2 out of 4 times a month!
So the answer is, I don’t really! But it’s okay.
😀
thanks for your honest answers carla :0)
Dear Carla, Your blogging is always a joy and inspiring to read. I always read your writings. Debbie Smith
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I will sound daft here but I’ve never seen white ink. I like it! I’ll have to check it out.
Jane, I added some links to the post so you know what kind of ink I like to use!
Carla
Thanks!!!
Hi! A new follower of your blog and a HUGE fan of your work! You are so inspiring. I have been drawing a few imaginary animals lately. Thank you. 🙂 Kim
Thanks for sharing your routine and for the honest answers!:)
Hi Carla,I recently purchased some copic sketch markers at the urging of a friend and they are wonderful,I noticed that you sometimes use copics in your work and was wondering if there was any coloring tips you might be able to share?
Hi Grace!
I like to use very light colored Copics (light gray, pink, blue, or yellow) and layer them on top of each other and in combination with colored pencils.
I don’t have a lot of experience using the darker colors, though!
Dear Carla,
I love to read your small letters – you are so warm and honest and modest!
My question is: why do your animals have human eyes? Sometimes, I feel it´s a bit scary…but I like them very much, nevertheless.
Hi Dagmar!
Ha… I don’t really think of them as “human” eyes, but I guess they kind of are!
So sorry they scare you sometimes! 😀
Oh Carla! thank you very much for taking time to answer my question the way you did (you can ALSO do that…see???….AMAZING!). Now I won´t be so hard with myself thinking “I should be…but after I´ve finished…” every single day.
an yes, you grandson is so cute!
Thanks for the helpful response about the copics.I to like to use the lighter colors,also I will try using/layering them with pencil crayons;)
It’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one who doesn’t really “manage everything” (and that it’s okay)! I appreciate your honesty more than you can imagine…
xo
Kristin