Mar 2015
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carloswebcomic
Mar '15

I don't know about you guys, but I don't run on inspiration or eureka moments. Nope. To get anything done, I need to sit down and think really, really hard about new jokes and strips.
Unfortunately, the only time I have available to get any writing done is when I'm on the train going to work, and It is in that environment that I must form my creative space.
I don't have much to work with, so the best thing I found is to shut myself off from the noise around me, hence I use music.
The thing is, the type of music I listen to has a massive effect on my ability to get creative.
After going through ska, punk, metal, hillbilly, soul and just plain rock, I've settled on a mix of modern classical by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Ludovico Einaudi.
Armed with the right music, a tablet and a one hour train journey, I've been able to transform a crowded train carriage into a creative space.

What's your creative space like?
Any tips?

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    Mar '15

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    Mar '15
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Doubtcent
Mar '15

At first I had a nice desk to work at, but then we had to move the old TV there for the new one. However, now I'm getting rid of the desk so I really don't have anywhere flat to work on until I buy a new desk. Maybe the bar table could work? I need a decent workplace.

carloswebcomic
Mar '15

Oh, man! You do need a desk! Although when I started drawing I used the couch with a round, wooden flat thing to draw on. Mind you, I used to draw like crap back then, so maybe it had something to do with it...

Iron
Mar '15

I don't see anything weird in trains as a creative space. For me it's a perfect environment to think about what to do with my comics (partially because I get dizzy if I read on a train, so I can't do that)
Also no desk at home, but a wooden board (highly recommend due to its multipurpose nature)

artsylee
Mar '15

A train would be an awesome space for working! I love being able to move (sort of) and work at the same time. Long car rides are the best.

For me, as long as I can change location once in a while I can work just about anywhere there's a surface with a reasonable height. My room, a coffee shop, the school library, even a park pcinic table when the weather is right. The occassional change of scenery definitely helps to refresh the engine.

I usually have to employ my noise-canceling head phones, though. I have something called misophonia and some noises can get more than distracting.

I think it's really about setting up your own environment no matter what environment you're actaully in. Some people don't need a lot, others need more, and it's all good.

Eligor191
Mar '15

My creative is space. Hmmm i believe as long i am listening to music or motivation speech, and when i am taking a shower. Taking shower is the best creative space as a writer XD.

Spinester
Mar '15

My creative space has to be portable so I carry earbuds with me at all times. I usually do my best writing when I go on walks.

AnnaLandin
Mar '15

My comics get made at my desk, with my trusty old Cintiq 21UX, a stack of storyboards on A4 paper and a huge (and by huge I mean 1 liter) mug of tea. I get my headphones on and cram my ears full of podcasts and work, work, work.

I find podcasts work better for me than music, since podcasts tend to come in 20-30 minute long episodes, which make me focus for the duration of them. With music, you get 2-5 minutes of music, and then a little pause before the next song begins, and so on - all those little moments of silence give my brain the chance to go running off somewhere and my attention wanders away from my work, and nothing gets done.

My current podcast-picks are Welcome to Night Vale, The British History Podcast, Mike Duncan's Revolutions, The History of Byzantium and The History of Philosophy.

I run on tea and history nerdery.

jessiepolfliet
Mar '15

Most of the time I watch something, like a movie, series a tutorial video. Sometimes even a word can give me inspiration. I also use music, kinds of music. And I often see something and start making connections and then start drawing. Sorry I know this is sorta al over the place but I get inspiration from a lot of things.

ArtistHan
Mar '15

I wouldn't be able to work on a train T^T I get motion sickness too easily T^T

When I write, I need quiet. I don't listen to music and try to go to a cafe and stay there for a certain amount of time just writing. It forces me to write something and to write copiously. When I do my roughs, inking, and shading, I need music on and I like to draw at my table at home where all of my supplies are in easy reach~ Sometimes I turn on a movie but I usually get sucked into the movie lol When I get stuck on a drawing because I find something not working, I need quiet again so I can think of the scenario and future plot points/images.

I get inspiration and ideas throughout the day. I write my comic-related ones in my sketchbook. Most of my other scenario ideas go onto my tumblr lol

jonsaintamant
Mar '15

My dad and I spent about a year on weekends converting an old tool shed in my backyard into my current studio. It's really small, but it keeps me apart from the distractions in our house. There's no internet nor television, just a radio, some lighting, and all the supplies I need. I work there after my kids are in bed, and turn on classical music. There's a video tour of it here3

Raven_C
Mar '15

I often get ideas during my commute, too. On the train, I usually pick a spot where they have tables, so I can just sit down and sketch as I look outside the window. Haha. I also spend some time at the library and brainstorm there (if I'm not doing schoolwork). Other than that, I do have a drafting table at home which I can easily fold and put away, since my room is super small. I hope to set up some inspiring artwork on my wall if I have the time to serve as motivation when I draw.

SpavVy
Mar '15
ArtistHan

Oh God same here >m<' I get motion sickness just from trying to write in a moving vehicle. Can't play games either...or read, it sucks. I won't even dare try drawing while in any kind of vehicle...

Dranif
Mar '15

My creative space is a big corner table in the living room where my computers are (a desktop and a laptop that has to have a monitor plugged in otherwise its unusable), and its cluttered. I need to clean it soon, but most of the clutter is school stuff.

SpavVy
Mar '15

For me when I draw digitally I sit on the bed with a folded pillow on my lap so that I'm comfy when using the Bamboo Tablet and a hard surface for my laptop but when I draw the comic traditionally I use a desk...well more like a really short coffee table given more height by a sturdy computer monitor stand, but to me it's a desk xD I'm vary organized when it comes to my art supplies or else I'll go nuts and I can't draw when the room is a mess either, If I think the room is a mess and I want to draw I go all psycho clean.

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jjfresh
Mar '15

Redundant much? Hah, I actually agree with you. Lotsa times, I have to think about it. But I suppose I am also a middle man in this. I have moments where certain scenes or situsations suddenly "hit" me, and the rest takes silent contemplation when I'm in my focused, creative mood.

We all have different ways of working our stuff. For me, I usually need completes silence and lack of any sort of sensual stimulation in order to focus on my thoughts. You mentioned music. When I'm doing my artwork, if I don't put music on in the beginning, I'm in complete silence for the whole time (unless there are annoying sounds around me or I take a break). I will admit that some music gives me ideas but it's usually my own thoughts or inspiration from things I find on Google Images.

If you want to take Creative Space literally, then it's a mess. That's it.

My comic Beautiful Lies was not out of nowhere concept. The very first webcomic I made was scrapped and I spent several months contemplating a new story (because i had schoolwork at same time). Beautiful Lies was one of several and I thought it would be best to go with it.

jayorten
Mar '15

For me, my creative space would probably be the shower. If I try to sit down at my computer desk and come up with ideas, I just get distracted, and start waisting time on the internet (I have a serious internet addiction!). Walks are also a good way for me to get the creative juices flowing. It's always best to clear out your mind before you begin brainstorming, so you have a nice clean slate to work with.

ippotsk
Mar '15

I get eureka moments almost anywhere, from my work desk to a stroll down the university complex, but once I get to putting them into drawing form, it all goes away like a blown candle. So a different problem on my end. _(:D