Thank you for this Ella.. so inspiring and so many things here that I can identify with... that faffing is OK (I'm a professional faffer too) and that 60%.. I remember when I was just getting started on my illustration journey and a friend gave me that very sage advice .. he literally told me to write 80% in big numbers on a piece of paper and pin it to my wall .. and then said that's where you've got to get to.. no more than 80% happy with what you've done because chances are you'll kill the piece off if you try and get to 100%.
I replied to your reshare (thank you!!) but posting my reply here too!
I LOVE this Verity! Thank you!! Such a brilliant thought… that last percent you aim for will most likely kill all the good stuff we like in art! I’m a big believer in happy accidents, and slightly discordant art (in music as well!). Probably more important than ever in the face of AI development! Thanks so much for sharing this! X
Ah thanks Ella! I’m also a great believer in happy accidents… the first piece of design work I ever sold while I was still a student was the result of a process that went wrong. That was over 30 years ago… and weirdly I never tried doing it again… now I might!
Loved reading this one. What an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and tips. As a fellow faffer I feel like I now have a permission slip to faff away all I like before getting stuck in. I've always felt so guilty about it!
I have an itch to make things perfect and at this stage I find it so important to just do stuff consistently. I'd rather create imperfect art than not make it at all.
You have your permission slip now - I hope it helps! And I think imperfect art is just as important as so called “perfect” art! So glad this resonated! xx
Excellent post Ella! Thank you for sharing those ideas. The 60% rule is such a good idea, I’ll have to have a think about my number, weirdly it’s pencil stage that I find most “emotionally difficult” so I might set a different percentage for that! Guilt is with me all the damn time, so it was really good to read how you made your peace with it! xx
Oh, "what do I think I should do?" That's a really good way to articulate the nudge I often need to give myself when I wander into that vaguely anxious state halfway through a drawing. Thank you! I've put it on a post-it above my desk, for emergencies.
This was such a joy to read! Really interesting to learn more about your creative journey. I'm only a newbie compared to you, but a lot of what you've written resonates with me deeply.
These are all so true Ella! I particularly like the idea of letting feeling 60% okay with something as success! I find it so hard to feel good about my work, so I'm going to try this. xxx
For me right now it’s a case of managing my own expectations. So I just promise myself that every time I get the chance to open a sketchbook I will put pencil to paper, even if just for 2 mins! Everything you say about perfectionism definitely rings true for me too
I totally agree with perfectionism being a weakness. It can stop a lot of wonderful work from becoming a reality! I love the 60% rule. That’s a lovely way to overcome it!
It’s so true! 😄I always try too hard over my illustrations but more recently I realised my favourite pieces or picture books are the ones that I had the most fun with. 🖌️
Love that 60% rule! I'm more of an 80-90% person, too, but I like the idea of having a "good enough for other people" standard to guide me.
Hey Jennifer!! Glad I’m not alone! And that I’ve given you an extra helpful measurement too! 🙌
I found this really helpful, thank you!
So glad! 🥰
Thank you for this Ella.. so inspiring and so many things here that I can identify with... that faffing is OK (I'm a professional faffer too) and that 60%.. I remember when I was just getting started on my illustration journey and a friend gave me that very sage advice .. he literally told me to write 80% in big numbers on a piece of paper and pin it to my wall .. and then said that's where you've got to get to.. no more than 80% happy with what you've done because chances are you'll kill the piece off if you try and get to 100%.
I replied to your reshare (thank you!!) but posting my reply here too!
I LOVE this Verity! Thank you!! Such a brilliant thought… that last percent you aim for will most likely kill all the good stuff we like in art! I’m a big believer in happy accidents, and slightly discordant art (in music as well!). Probably more important than ever in the face of AI development! Thanks so much for sharing this! X
Ah thanks Ella! I’m also a great believer in happy accidents… the first piece of design work I ever sold while I was still a student was the result of a process that went wrong. That was over 30 years ago… and weirdly I never tried doing it again… now I might!
Ooh! Good idea! Hope it goes well/badly 😉
Thanks Ella a wonderful read! Yes a faffer here too!✔️
Hey fellow faffer! So happy you enjoyed and I hope you see this as permission for some extra faffing! X
Loved reading this one. What an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and tips. As a fellow faffer I feel like I now have a permission slip to faff away all I like before getting stuck in. I've always felt so guilty about it!
I have an itch to make things perfect and at this stage I find it so important to just do stuff consistently. I'd rather create imperfect art than not make it at all.
You have your permission slip now - I hope it helps! And I think imperfect art is just as important as so called “perfect” art! So glad this resonated! xx
Love this Ella. Thanks so much for sharing! I’m glad you decided to be you ❤️
Ahhh!! That’s so lovely - thanks Carys! X
Excellent post Ella! Thank you for sharing those ideas. The 60% rule is such a good idea, I’ll have to have a think about my number, weirdly it’s pencil stage that I find most “emotionally difficult” so I might set a different percentage for that! Guilt is with me all the damn time, so it was really good to read how you made your peace with it! xx
Oh yes!! I find pencils really hard too!! Although it can be such a nice stage too. I’d love to know what number you come up with! X
A lovely read Els, and the 60% idea is great! Xx
😘
Great read Ella, as a faffer too it resonated. X
Fellow faffers unite! 💫
Oh, "what do I think I should do?" That's a really good way to articulate the nudge I often need to give myself when I wander into that vaguely anxious state halfway through a drawing. Thank you! I've put it on a post-it above my desk, for emergencies.
Brill!! I have post-it’s all over my wall and computer - so glad it was helpful! X
This was such a joy to read! Really interesting to learn more about your creative journey. I'm only a newbie compared to you, but a lot of what you've written resonates with me deeply.
Thank you so much Ella!
Hey Tara! I’m so glad it resonated with you! Such a pleasure! Xx
Some (most?) of this works for writing too. Thanks Ella!
Oh yes! Hope they inspire some helpful ideas for you too! X
These are all so true Ella! I particularly like the idea of letting feeling 60% okay with something as success! I find it so hard to feel good about my work, so I'm going to try this. xxx
Ooh! I hope it works, lovely Anna! X
This is so interesting, thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you found it interesting Jo! What helps with you, do you think? X
For me right now it’s a case of managing my own expectations. So I just promise myself that every time I get the chance to open a sketchbook I will put pencil to paper, even if just for 2 mins! Everything you say about perfectionism definitely rings true for me too
That’s another brill tip! I think making, even for 2 mins, makes a difference! And it often leads to more than 2 mins! X
Totally! X
I totally agree with perfectionism being a weakness. It can stop a lot of wonderful work from becoming a reality! I love the 60% rule. That’s a lovely way to overcome it!
It’s so true! 😄I always try too hard over my illustrations but more recently I realised my favourite pieces or picture books are the ones that I had the most fun with. 🖌️