I also strugged through january, and discovered Marcel the Shell - gorgeous film! I hope February and beyond is lighter. I really want to try and make time to keep a visual diary... How long do you spend each day on it, roughly?
Isn't Marcel just lovely - so life-affirming and just what I needed at the time. Things are much better now I am happy to say but I still love Marcel. With my diary I often catch up on a few days at a time but I do find it's best to do it on the day if possible - probably a bout 20 mins for a day unless it was a very BIG day. Good luck with yours :)
I always look forward to these newsletters Jane. There is something so cosy and calming about the way you write and all your tactile making! I would love to see a video of your diaries. Have you had any phases where you struggled to keep doing these? Even though I loved doing a comic diary I can’t seem to keep my diary consistently and find it hard to start again.
That's so nice to hear, thankyou Leticia! And I am definitely going to make that video about the diaries (probably for the April newsletter as time is ticking by...). And yes, I have had phases where I have struggled to keep up - the first year I was doing it I stopped for three months and thought that was it. But then something happened that I thought was so funny (I call it Comic Diary Gold!) that I just had to get started again. My main advice is, if you stop for a bit don't sweat about trying to catch up with what you have missed, just start afresh with a new day and keep going as best you can. Good luck!
Jane, your post is packed with so much thought and insight. Keeping a diary for a decade? That's such a huge accomplishment! Bravo! Hoping both our February's get better day by day. I know sharing your book Be Bold Bob with the children must have boost your spirits immensly. Hugs of healing to you!
Thankyou so much dear Maggie! And yes working with children lifts my spirits every single time! February is already proving much better than January was. XX
Jane, that’s so good to hear! I find giving back always does lift one’s spirits. I just ordered an A4 sketchbook that I’m going to dedicate to my daily diary. I have others, but I don’t want this one to be too precious. Yet. I’m going to push myself to see what happens with it since its a bigger format, and I am use to working digitally. I’ll miss that undo button! I think my first large diary will be hit or miss the first go around, until I find a rhythm.
I’m curious, how much time do you spend daily on your sketchbook diary? Do you always create a two page spread per day? Also, do you just start on a page, or map out the panels first, then resketch? I think for me, mapping it out in small thumbnails first may be the way to go. Going analogue again every day is challenging isn't it? I tend to want my work to be "just so' but want to loosen up more and just let it be, without refining it to the 'nth.' I'd love to see more of your diaries. I've enjoyed your past two videos more than once and feel I haven't peeked into them enough! :)
Oh good luck with your diary! Yes, not being too precious is really important - keep going and if you miss a bit, don't worry and just pick it up again as soon as you can. You'll definitely find a rhythm but it takes a little while. I don't have a fixed pattern for doing mine and will often catch up on a few days at once - but it's always better to do it as soon as you can. And if you can't, just make a few little notes so you don't forget things. I'd say I spend no more than 20 mins on a page unless it's something like a gigantic crowd scene (eg doing on a demo!). I never map it out, I just start - but it's all in pencil so I do use the eraser sometimes. Glad you enjoyed the videos and I am definitely going to make another!
I'm so sorry to hear January was such a tough month for you, and very much hope February is already lighter. Well done on a decade of diary keeping- I would love to see a video of it all!
Thankyou Martina - February is looking much better already! And I’m definitely going to make that video, but it’s going to take a while to decide what to put in it… I’m enjoying your diaries!
Sorry Jan was such a struggle! I have felt that too - and coming to comic class always makes me feel like I’ve unscrewed my thinking brain for a bit and done some playing! It is so wonderful!
Ahh, Jane. I'm so very sorry to hear you've had such a tough month. Your diaries are beautiful! Harris Tweed! Cyanotype Printed Fabric! 😍
I laughed that your diary examples discussed what happened in MOONSTRUCK--I only finally just watched that, not long ago. I loved the melodrama! I have been meaning--forever it seems!--to see MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON--and your reminder is perfectly timed!
Good luck with your delightful-sounding upcoming events, and may February bring you much more blue sky! (Also, loved your "drawn together" elephants! So charming!!)
Ooh you are in for such a treat with Marcel - I honestly cannot stop thinking about him! Thankyou Elayne for your kind comments - February is looking much more promising I am glad to say. XX
Oh Jane, really hoping things are going to be easier as February gets going. Marcel is the perfect tonic (I want to watch it again now!) Thanks for mentioning the Brian Wildsmith tip off, I'm so chuffed you got to experience it too! (Lovely elephants, I still need to master the two handed Lion Girl drawing!) See you soon to celebrate wonderful Be Bold Bob! : ) x
Thanks so much Fiona, February has started well! I still can't stop thinking about Marcel... looking forward to seeing you very soon, we can sing 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' together!
Sorry to hear January was a tough one Jane! And yet you smile cheerfully through all your comics classes and manage always to be so kind and inspiring! I hope February is easier. And by the way when can we see your hourly comics?
Thankyou Ingrid - it's easy to smile through comics class because I love it so much! I'll share my hourly comics on the Padlet - but have to confess I haven't started yet, it's been a busy day... but I have made some notes to catch up tomorrow. See you weds! X
I'm sorry to hear January was tough for you but I'm glad to hear comic journaling was healing. I would love to see the highlights of your 10-year comic journals (when you feel up for sharing them). And I'm looking forward to celebrating Bob with you this month!
p.s. I'm still gutted to miss the Brian Wildsmith exhibition. What a great quote by the way! Hear hear!
What a treat to read with my morning coffee Jane! If it's any consolation January was also a slog, (and it seems for many others) so I hope our February is kinder. Yes to soaking up blue skies and thanks for the info and links about AI. X
Thankyou so much Sam! And YES if I could go to the Brian Wildsmith exhibition again I would - they did suggest there was a chance it might tour so I really hope that happens...
Thankyou Ella, that's so kind. Yes, all the diaries are comic diaries! I'm going to make that video this month so you can have a peep inside... and here's to spring sunshine! XX
I also strugged through january, and discovered Marcel the Shell - gorgeous film! I hope February and beyond is lighter. I really want to try and make time to keep a visual diary... How long do you spend each day on it, roughly?
Isn't Marcel just lovely - so life-affirming and just what I needed at the time. Things are much better now I am happy to say but I still love Marcel. With my diary I often catch up on a few days at a time but I do find it's best to do it on the day if possible - probably a bout 20 mins for a day unless it was a very BIG day. Good luck with yours :)
I always look forward to these newsletters Jane. There is something so cosy and calming about the way you write and all your tactile making! I would love to see a video of your diaries. Have you had any phases where you struggled to keep doing these? Even though I loved doing a comic diary I can’t seem to keep my diary consistently and find it hard to start again.
That's so nice to hear, thankyou Leticia! And I am definitely going to make that video about the diaries (probably for the April newsletter as time is ticking by...). And yes, I have had phases where I have struggled to keep up - the first year I was doing it I stopped for three months and thought that was it. But then something happened that I thought was so funny (I call it Comic Diary Gold!) that I just had to get started again. My main advice is, if you stop for a bit don't sweat about trying to catch up with what you have missed, just start afresh with a new day and keep going as best you can. Good luck!
Jane, your post is packed with so much thought and insight. Keeping a diary for a decade? That's such a huge accomplishment! Bravo! Hoping both our February's get better day by day. I know sharing your book Be Bold Bob with the children must have boost your spirits immensly. Hugs of healing to you!
Thankyou so much dear Maggie! And yes working with children lifts my spirits every single time! February is already proving much better than January was. XX
Jane, that’s so good to hear! I find giving back always does lift one’s spirits. I just ordered an A4 sketchbook that I’m going to dedicate to my daily diary. I have others, but I don’t want this one to be too precious. Yet. I’m going to push myself to see what happens with it since its a bigger format, and I am use to working digitally. I’ll miss that undo button! I think my first large diary will be hit or miss the first go around, until I find a rhythm.
I’m curious, how much time do you spend daily on your sketchbook diary? Do you always create a two page spread per day? Also, do you just start on a page, or map out the panels first, then resketch? I think for me, mapping it out in small thumbnails first may be the way to go. Going analogue again every day is challenging isn't it? I tend to want my work to be "just so' but want to loosen up more and just let it be, without refining it to the 'nth.' I'd love to see more of your diaries. I've enjoyed your past two videos more than once and feel I haven't peeked into them enough! :)
Im still rethinking that part :)
Oh good luck with your diary! Yes, not being too precious is really important - keep going and if you miss a bit, don't worry and just pick it up again as soon as you can. You'll definitely find a rhythm but it takes a little while. I don't have a fixed pattern for doing mine and will often catch up on a few days at once - but it's always better to do it as soon as you can. And if you can't, just make a few little notes so you don't forget things. I'd say I spend no more than 20 mins on a page unless it's something like a gigantic crowd scene (eg doing on a demo!). I never map it out, I just start - but it's all in pencil so I do use the eraser sometimes. Glad you enjoyed the videos and I am definitely going to make another!
Thanks so much for the tips. I do take notes but think I’ll keep them in another small journal.
I just keep them on a loose scrap of paper and throw it in the recyling once I've caught up with the drawings!
Another great idea! I have a habit of yellow sticky notes piling up! I need to throw them away! 😄
I'm so sorry to hear January was such a tough month for you, and very much hope February is already lighter. Well done on a decade of diary keeping- I would love to see a video of it all!
Thankyou Martina - February is looking much better already! And I’m definitely going to make that video, but it’s going to take a while to decide what to put in it… I’m enjoying your diaries!
Sorry Jan was such a struggle! I have felt that too - and coming to comic class always makes me feel like I’ve unscrewed my thinking brain for a bit and done some playing! It is so wonderful!
Ahh, Jane. I'm so very sorry to hear you've had such a tough month. Your diaries are beautiful! Harris Tweed! Cyanotype Printed Fabric! 😍
I laughed that your diary examples discussed what happened in MOONSTRUCK--I only finally just watched that, not long ago. I loved the melodrama! I have been meaning--forever it seems!--to see MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON--and your reminder is perfectly timed!
Good luck with your delightful-sounding upcoming events, and may February bring you much more blue sky! (Also, loved your "drawn together" elephants! So charming!!)
Ooh you are in for such a treat with Marcel - I honestly cannot stop thinking about him! Thankyou Elayne for your kind comments - February is looking much more promising I am glad to say. XX
Oh Jane, really hoping things are going to be easier as February gets going. Marcel is the perfect tonic (I want to watch it again now!) Thanks for mentioning the Brian Wildsmith tip off, I'm so chuffed you got to experience it too! (Lovely elephants, I still need to master the two handed Lion Girl drawing!) See you soon to celebrate wonderful Be Bold Bob! : ) x
Thanks so much Fiona, February has started well! I still can't stop thinking about Marcel... looking forward to seeing you very soon, we can sing 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' together!
PS would also love to see inside the decade of diaries!!
Sorry to hear January was a tough one Jane! And yet you smile cheerfully through all your comics classes and manage always to be so kind and inspiring! I hope February is easier. And by the way when can we see your hourly comics?
Thankyou Ingrid - it's easy to smile through comics class because I love it so much! I'll share my hourly comics on the Padlet - but have to confess I haven't started yet, it's been a busy day... but I have made some notes to catch up tomorrow. See you weds! X
I look forward to seeing them !
I'm sorry to hear January was tough for you but I'm glad to hear comic journaling was healing. I would love to see the highlights of your 10-year comic journals (when you feel up for sharing them). And I'm looking forward to celebrating Bob with you this month!
p.s. I'm still gutted to miss the Brian Wildsmith exhibition. What a great quote by the way! Hear hear!
What a treat to read with my morning coffee Jane! If it's any consolation January was also a slog, (and it seems for many others) so I hope our February is kinder. Yes to soaking up blue skies and thanks for the info and links about AI. X
Hope February is easier x
Always love your newsletter, sorry things have been tough. Life is always such a roller coaster. Around for coffee if you need one. Xx
Always such a great read Jane, sorry you had a rough January glad you got to see the Brian Wildsmith exhibition- it was fantastic wasn’t it!
Thankyou so much Sam! And YES if I could go to the Brian Wildsmith exhibition again I would - they did suggest there was a chance it might tour so I really hope that happens...
Oh what a lovely thing to say, thankyou Bonnie! I am soo glad comics class makes you feel that way :)
Thankyou Ella, that's so kind. Yes, all the diaries are comic diaries! I'm going to make that video this month so you can have a peep inside... and here's to spring sunshine! XX