The Creative Journey, Step One!

Beyond technique questions and equipment questions, the most common question/comment I see in the creative learning social media world has to do with “beginners”. If you frequent those areas, then you’ve seen it too.

“I thought this was for beginners! Everyone here is clearly not a beginner!”

It comes in many forms, but it’s usually followed by the poster saying they’re leaving the group. What these beginning creatives see is something that intimidates them, that reinforces the negative voice inside their own head that says they can’t do this. While there are people with the dogged determination to slog through on their way to whatever level of mastery may await them, my bet is that most of us understand the poster’s feeling. We’ve hit that time when we look or listen or whatever to what we’ve created and think:

“Why am I wasting my time on this?”

At that moment, we all need something or someone who gives us the boost we need to keep going. I believe that, at least occasionally, we need to see that we’re not the only ones who haven’t got it perfect on the first try. It means that we need to share our less than perfect, not quite right, yeah, that didn’t work out the way I’d hoped pieces along with our good stuff.

For the last four years, I’ve been fiddling around with watercolor paints. I do nothing on a regular basis, which is why my progress has been slow. Sometimes so slow I’m actually moving in reverse, lol! But it’s something I want to learn to do. That means finding a routine and sticking to it. Less doom-scrolling and more creative time.

Here’s the plan (and the part I need you to play in it):

• I’m trying to follow along with Andrea Nelson. She’s a content creator I enjoy, and she has a great catchphrase: “It’s gonna be fine”. Andrea is the perfect lead-in for me on my project because she shares her goofs. There is a sketchbook series where there are simple exercises to both play with the paints and learn how watercolor works. So, I will do a sketchbook using both her exercises and anything else that attracts my interest. And, good, bad or indifferent, I’ll be sharing them here with you.
• I will also share stuff from my other creative outlets. I write, I’m a photographer, I mess around with music, and I love doing audio projects. In reality, I tend to set my goals too high (once got that in a job review!), but it’s who I am. I will share my creative efforts, and I hope they will inspire you to keep on trying.
• What I am asking you to do-look, comment and share. I already know that some of the early stuff I’ve done didn’t work out. I’m sharing them anyway. If you are struggling with watercolor or any OTHER CREATIVE ENDEAVOR, I want you to know you’re not alone, and I want you to keep trying. Just like me. Plus, I’d LOVE it if you would share what you’re working on. And I don’t care what it is. Painting, music, wood carving, knitting, arts and crafts, a really cool doodle you made (doodles are creative!). I’d love to see them.

When I come across a creator that I enjoy, I’ll share that too. Please keep living your life creative!

So here’s the start of the watercolor sharing. Andrea has you create a cover page for your sketchbook, and this is mine. I’ll be honest and admit that I thought the exercise was silly at first. But I’m really happy with the way it turned out. It’s watercolor paints (IYKYK) and waterproof pen. I used two different diameter pens for different effects. It’s been weeks since I started, and I still like it. The second one is a fun exercise that also gives you a color palette of your colors. You can see some places where I didn’t get the wash technique perfect, but the effect was one I like a great deal. Again, watercolor and pen. I hope you’ll continue along with my journey, and begin and/or share your own.

Peace,

Jay