I’m back! How’s everyone doing? I hope well 🙂

So, Young Writer asked me to write another article on how I get inspiration to write. It took me a while to think of it to be honest. How else do I get inspiration besides music (currently listening to Heathens by Twenty One Pilots)? But then I realized, it’s my art.

Nearly all of my artwork is concept art for my stories. Sometimes when I get an idea, I just need to draw it. It helps me visualize it, but most importantly, to remember it. Remembering my ideas is not a strong point of mine. I usually have to tether it to something, like drawing or painting, and even with a song.

This drawing was an image that came to mind one day while doing schoolwork of all things, and I had to draw it. I did this a few years ago, so its not very pretty, but this has become a scene in one of my few major stories I’m currently working on now.

The above picture was done entirely in pencil, using a Bic 0.7mm HB #2 mechanical pencil. I love these pencils for sketching because the point is always sharp, however in hindsight, I can say I wouldn’t recommend it for coloring in a picture like this. 😉

I try to expand my knowledge of art mediums best I can so I can find new ways to get whats in my brain on paper (which is difficult). My favorite types are:

1. Pencil (def #1)
2. Alcohol-based art markers (newbie at this!)
3. Watercolors (I’m okay at it?)
4. Acrylics (not too skilled in this one)
5. Colored pencil (a go-to for quick color)
6. Pen (for on-the-go sketches)

If any of you are saying, “But KD17, I can’t draw or paint!”, don’t worry! Even just attempting to visualize something can help you remember. Here is an (obviously) unfinished drawing I’ve done. This is very, very vague. But when I was looking for drawings I could put into this post, I came across this, and the story idea that was behind it came rushing back. I had completely forgotten about this concept until I saw this drawing. But because I remembered what I wanted to accomplish in this drawing (two people facing each other through a glass separator), the story idea came with it.

So bust out those pencils and paper and get sketching! Don’t worry about how it looks, all that counts is that you started. 🙂

God bless,

KD17