I find that projects are hardest at the start and get steadily easier as I approach the 50% mark. I love that period after I’m halfway through a project where it feels like I finally have the hang of it. But then it always seems to become hard again as I approach the finish line, with a little uptick at the end.
I repeat this graph during each phase of the graphic novel: pencilling, inking and coloring. When I get overwhelmed by how hard it feels at the beginning of a phase, I remind myself that I’ve been here before, and that seems to reassure me.
Progress: I finished inking!
I’m so excited to be finished with inking my 240-page middle grade graphic novel! Inking is historically one of the things I struggle with most, so this feels like a huge accomplishment, especially as you can see from my above chart that reaching the end always feels really hard.
Every time I finish a chapter, I put a rock into my letter press tray to signify the accomplishment of getting a chapter done. I put 14 rocks in for the 14 chapters of my penciled art. And now 14 rocks for the same 14 chapters inked. And then I’m onto coloring—my favorite part!
Book Recommendation: Breath by James Nestor
It turns out we’ve been breathing wrong. Breath by James Nestor kinda blew my mind and has me way more focused than ever on my breath.