"The only nice thing about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others" . . . . . . Doug Larson

  

Day 20 already of my 365 challenge . . .

and I must admit that it feels more like 200.

It's going to be slow growth

(but luckily I am enjoying the work!)

 

One of my goals with this project was to improve my inking skills.  My daughter assures me that in the comics world there are the people who draw and the people who ink, and those are two separate skill sets with two different types of artists.  So I feel a little better about my inadequacy in the area.

As any lefty can tell you, ink can present problems because of the smearing as your hand rubs across what you have just done.  And if there's been more than one diet coke in my day, that shows plainly in ink as well.

I have enjoyed creating black and white drawings for years -- if you've ever received a card from me, it probably featured one.

 a tag from a LONG, LONG time ago -- very early black-and-white work

But the originals usually contain much more Pro-White than ink by the time I am finished.  The correction takes me 10 times longer than the drawing.  I figured out years ago that I am only good at creating line by subtracting.  I can cut better than I can draw, I can lay down ink and then go back with white to get the line I actually wanted in the first place.  I'm sure there is a name for that skill (or lack of) -- maybe it has something to do with one's way of seeing.

Anyway, that's why I decided to ink my daily drawings. And for the record, that's how I usually ruin them in some way.  So far I've been much happier with them before the ink goes on, for the most part.  But of course I like the visual pop I get from the ink when I post them on a black background. And after only 20 days my hand is getting a little surer with the inked line.  (There's a no Pro-White rule, btw.  No time for that nonsense.)

Someone asked me if everything I do 

has to be a finished product . . . ?

 

a valid point and food for thought, 

but maybe creating 365 half-baked things 

will be next year's challenge.  We'll see.

(not a bad idea, now that I think of it. . .)

And as the year goes on I'm sure there will be plenty of quick sketches done late at night before turning off the light, or at the cabin, or in the car, or on the back of a grocery list.  You can count on it.  And it will be a good stretch for me to leave them as is, un-inked and telling their imperfect story of a rushed or difficult or crazy or sick or tired or forgetful or uninspired or down or all-of-the-above day.

So, now the obvious question . . . 

is anybody else ready 

to jump on the challenge wagon?

   

Like a ten-speed bike, 

most of us have gears we do not use.

-- Charles Schultz

Come on . . . if I didn't ask, you wouldn't respect me, right?

How about it? 

Isn't it time you spiced up your ride by trying something new?

(It can be something very, very small, because every creative step moves you along the path!)

(Yes, I mean YOU.)