Totally resonate with the "last 5%", and I wonder if it's particularly true of visual art or wether it extends to song writing/producing or writing fiction too!
I made a piece for a competition recently that I thought was such pants till the very very end...those last few tweaks were just an experiment but they suddenly brought it all together in a way I couldn't have forseen. It was no masterpiece but a few good details made it 'make sense' as an image. I think every time we push on the last 5% that transform something, the more confident we become at knowing it's coming....?
Hey Lotte! Yes, it’s amazing how much you can bring something together right at the end, right!? I’d love to see that piece.
I think you’re totally right - I reckon it’s really helped me feel more confident each time it’s happened while I make these books. In fact, I think that realisation has helped a lot! Now I try not to judge until the ‘end’, whatever that is!
My writer friend says it’s similar with writing too (in the comments) - makes me think about giving writing a go, maaaybe... xx
Very interesting post, I've often felt this. Making books is so bloody hard. I've been listening to a very good and honest podcast about the reality- the slog and absolute time consuming effort needed for PB illustration and surviving in this industry. Thanks for writing this..it kept me engaged till the end!
That’s so nice to hear, thanks! I’d love to know what podcast that is! Yes, you put it so well: time consuming effort! It is super intense, more so than I imagined I think! 😱 I’m hoping it gets easier! Xx
Ah I completely resonate with this! One of my first picture book commissions had an insanely short deadline (under two months from sketch to final) and I had to hand it in when it was at the ‘messy- middle’ stage.
I learnt so much from that experience (namely that there is often some wiggle room with deadlines!) but I always think of it when something isn’t going to plan, remembering what some more work and editing can do. Great post :)
Wow Claire! That is a short deadline! Well done for getting it done. Yes, those lessons can be pretty tough, eh?! But I bet you learned an absolute ton, and we’re better for it afterwards! And thanks, glad you enjoyed it! X
So beautifully articulated Ella. And so inspiring.
Ahhh, thanks so much, Ruby! X
Totally resonate with the "last 5%", and I wonder if it's particularly true of visual art or wether it extends to song writing/producing or writing fiction too!
I made a piece for a competition recently that I thought was such pants till the very very end...those last few tweaks were just an experiment but they suddenly brought it all together in a way I couldn't have forseen. It was no masterpiece but a few good details made it 'make sense' as an image. I think every time we push on the last 5% that transform something, the more confident we become at knowing it's coming....?
Hey Lotte! Yes, it’s amazing how much you can bring something together right at the end, right!? I’d love to see that piece.
I think you’re totally right - I reckon it’s really helped me feel more confident each time it’s happened while I make these books. In fact, I think that realisation has helped a lot! Now I try not to judge until the ‘end’, whatever that is!
My writer friend says it’s similar with writing too (in the comments) - makes me think about giving writing a go, maaaybe... xx
Love this Ella, and much of what you say applies to writing too! 😍
Ahh yes, I bet it does! X
Very interesting post, I've often felt this. Making books is so bloody hard. I've been listening to a very good and honest podcast about the reality- the slog and absolute time consuming effort needed for PB illustration and surviving in this industry. Thanks for writing this..it kept me engaged till the end!
That’s so nice to hear, thanks! I’d love to know what podcast that is! Yes, you put it so well: time consuming effort! It is super intense, more so than I imagined I think! 😱 I’m hoping it gets easier! Xx
Ah I completely resonate with this! One of my first picture book commissions had an insanely short deadline (under two months from sketch to final) and I had to hand it in when it was at the ‘messy- middle’ stage.
I learnt so much from that experience (namely that there is often some wiggle room with deadlines!) but I always think of it when something isn’t going to plan, remembering what some more work and editing can do. Great post :)
Wow Claire! That is a short deadline! Well done for getting it done. Yes, those lessons can be pretty tough, eh?! But I bet you learned an absolute ton, and we’re better for it afterwards! And thanks, glad you enjoyed it! X