Episode 445 of the CMP, a Creativity Matters Podcast — summer art, summer series, tips for the Index-Card-a-Day Challenge (ICAD), and starter ideas for thinking about doing art in a series.
This episode focuses on the challenge of doing a daily art challenge of x length and the idea of creating work in a series. The Index-Card-a-Day Challenge run by Daisy Yellow happens in June and July. At 61 days, this challenge falls midway between other popular challenges like the 100 Day Project and 30- or 31-day challenges like Inktober.
It feels like just yesterday that I climbed a set of stairs, afraid the wind would knock me down, and first spotted the Ferris wheel in the distance. I don’t know how a year has already passed, how it can possibly be a year since I was debating ordering some lemon curd for my birthday and trying to plan a day that wouldn’t be a massive disappointment after the buildup of the 50 Before 50 year. I am winding down my 2nd year of weekly self-portraits, which has been an interesting process. I just finished my 100 Day Project using dip pen and circles. And I am approaching a week of very consistent #illustrateyourweek prompts and work in my illustrated journal. So, here comes ICAD.
Deciding what to do has me a bit puzzled. But I spent some time looking back at prior years. And then I made a list of things I have been contemplating for a possible series.
And then I made a list of 50 things you might consider for a series, whether for ICAD or any other creative challenge — or just for a personal series. (Not everything you do has to be part of a named challenge!)
In this episode, 10-ish examples from the list of 50 starter ideas for working in a series, and 10 tips for thinking about and doing the annual Index-Card-a-Day Challenge. I’ve listed some of the materials I’ve used for ICAD on this page, too.
I will be sharing more about tracking a challenge like ICAD using Notion, an online database tool. In the interim, I do have a few drawing-focused videos about using Notion. (I am still really new at making videos, but there’s a lot of information here that you might enjoy!)
- Tracking Daily Drawing with Notion
- Make a Gallery of Your Daily Art in Notion
- Viewing Your Creative Work Kanban Style
Randoms
- I am in book 4 of the Realm of the Elderlings books by Robin Hobb, and this book is so much different that I am struggling to really get hooked. I haven’t given up, but I really miss the all-in feeling I had of being so wrapped up in the Farseer Trilogy.
- I am still trying to understand my response to the “feedback” of a nib, which is how people describe 2 of the 3 pens I have been considering.
- Among other things that I have checked out, I am listening to the Midnight Library.
- My two favorite groups to scroll at Facebook right now involve pen and ink and SF/fantasy. The pen and ink group keeps me constantly in awe of how many pens and bottles of ink some people have. I love seeing all the images and ink samples though!
- I finished the 100 Day Project and immediately drew a whole page of circles to fill last week. But this week, a shift happened without any planning, and the portraits are free floating on the page, very unapologetically so!
New to the CMP? Here are a few shows you might try:
- Teapots in a Tree (383)
- Olive Jars (436)
- Love What You Do (244)
- Illustrated Journal (367)
- The Moments within the Moments (197)
- Scroll Your Feed (362)
- View all podcasts
Listen to Episode 445
(This episode is available in many of your favorite podcast players.)
Tools
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook (what I’m using for regular drawing and my illustrated journal)
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook — the REALLY big one — A3 (11.75″ x 16.5″)
- Preppy Fountains Pen 02 – this is one of the best starter/inexpensive fountain pens you can buy!
- Preppy Fountain Pens 03 (multi set)
- Lamy Safari – always a good choice
- TWSBI Eco – my favorite fountain pen in the starter range (although I love my TWSBI Iris Vac even more)
- Dip Pen holder I’ve been using (with maru nibs)
- PILOT Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink (multiple color options)
- Diamine Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Noodler’s Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Monteverde Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Colorverse Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Platinum Carbon Black ink (what’s in my fountain pen)
- Sktchy app for inspiration photos
- Micron 08 (larger nib good for thicker lines or filling in small-medium spaces)
- Micron 01 (favorite for drawing)
- Micron Sampler
- Notes on large format sketchbooks
- ROYGBIV supplies: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
- Uni-Gel Alpha Shaker pencil (mine is listed as “slightly firm” – but it’s super cushy; they do come in other softness/hardness ratings. I really do love this shaker!)
- Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser, Large, White (these things disappear like socks; you can never have too many white erasers lying around)
Show Information:
- Patreon page – support the CMP and get access to some special things
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- Start your shopping at Amazon here
- Amazon wishlist
- Start your shopping at Amazon with a CMP link
- Creativity Matters at YouTube (please follow!)
- Creativity Matters Group at Facebook
- oamyoamy at Instagram
- Creativity Matters Podcast at Instagram
- Try Creative Bug with the Living a More Creative Life: 30 Ways in 30 Days class
- Guitar music: Nicholai Heidlas on SoundCloud
