How Do You Prep Yourself For A Drawing Session?

[Nivardy]

I thought this might be fun to do.

So imagine you're getting ready to try to produce a page for your comic.

What do you do to ensure your process goes smoothly?
(Or at least as smooth as possible.)

For me, I like to make a cup of coffee, or get some other energizing, health-debilitating drink.
Then, before I open up Clip Art Studio, I play any podcast from "This Week In Chiptune". (I might do it while listening to the Game Grumps, or some other youtuber, if not too distracting.)

That's just me.

What about you?

How do you prep yourself for some good ole' comickeering?
(Any part of your process is fine.)

-Nivardy

[joannekwan]

I just plug in mah tablet, open up photoshop, then itunes or spotify, and go.

[Chronitis]

I eat a cookie and then all of a sudden I really want to get to work

[Jessisheron]

I always make sure I'm dressed like I'm going to work. This puts me in the "work mode" mind set. I try to have a biiig glass of water too. When I'm in the art zone i sort of forget to take care of my body so I try to remember to drink water.

I like podcasts too! my favorites right now are "the adventure zone" "my brother my brother and me" and "last podcast on the left" (WARNING last one is SPOOKY but also hilarious)

[ISNEKO]

I open a beer. Consume nicotine. Dump out my pencil bag onto a drawing pad. Question why I draw.

Don't live like me.

[SketchbookKid]

Usually I just grab a drink(water or juice mostly) grab my ipod and phone for music and youtube(lets plays, or music i don't have on the pod). Open up Clip Studio and start. Oh and hand stretches before as well.

[punkarsenic]

put on some good music, typically a playlist, or a nice fantasy podcast. the once and future nerd and friends at the table are my faves for drawing to.

if im feeling kinda confident, i can wander straight into drawing with maybe a small warmup sketch, or nothing if im feeling cocky. sometimes, it takes more, and i do a halfhour figure drawing practice, or at least some gesture sketches in my sketchbook.

id already have sai open, bc whenever i close it i seem to lose my palette and even some brush settings... so i just. get started.

[anitacomics]

I clean the house. It might seem crazy, considering I have a small studio room where I can draw in peace, but I not only clean that room. I really, really cannot relax if I know there's a pile of dishes to wash in the other room, or if the floor feels dusty, or there's the bed to make. And I truly need to relax before drawing, so my morning routine goes -> toilet -> breakfast -> cleaning -> drawing
And of course, coffee and a good tv show in the background.

[Vanesalisa]

hmm plug wacom and put in music then draw

[Rhombik]

I have a kind of check list but only for pen and paper drawing. I can just sit down at the computer and go.

• Cup of tea (no coffee because it makes my hand shake)

• Full stomach

• Pillow as back rest

• Clear desk

• Blinds open

• Mechanical pencils

[Ironscarf]

It's usually 2am and I just want to sleep, so ongoing cups of strong tea are a must. I clear away everything other family family members have left piled aroung the desktop, plug in my old Intuos 3 and try to set my chair to a comfortable position. Not too comfortable though, or the intuos will soon turn into a cosy pillow.

[NiLukka]

Depends on my mood, sometimes I want to put on some makeup and do my hair to feel "prepared" and "professional", sometimes I don't even change from my pajamas.

But what I always do is 1) make sure my stomach is full, 2) fill my water bottle (hydration is IMPORTANT), 3) throw the pile of clothes on my chair onto my bed, 4) put on my headphones. Usually I listen to music or watch Youtube or Netflix or something while I draw, but sometimes I notice I've just been drawing with the headphones on for 2 hours and never pressed play. Concentration ftw!

Stretching would be so good, I'll have to stick a note on my monitor to remind me..!

[NiLukka]

Yeah, full stomach is a must, I can't start anything if I'm hungry. When I get into a flow, I can draw for 7 hours without eating but starting - nope!

[XzynderVexymous]

I make sure there's nothiñ to do, put on my playlist of music and just start drawing. I have a set time for drawing. 8:00pm is the time that I am least bothered so I take advantage of it.

[DMBrigman]

• I give the dog a chew toy to keep him occupied
• Open up Netflix and pick a series to play in the background
• Settle on the couch
• Start up the Wacom tablet
• Start working

[shaylafarley5]

First I shut off the Wi-Fi to my computer.
2. Play a movie or listen to music that code wi th the mood of the pages
3. Make sure nothing is on the stove cooking.
4. Have food to eat because I will sit there for hours and say I'll eat after this part and never do!

[Mocha]

1. I make sure I'm dressed, because if I'm still in my pyjamas there is no way I'm getting anything done.
2. I put on a lo-fi hip hop playlist because it helps me focus and get in the artsy mood.
3. I get a cup of tea.
4. Pull out whatever materials and references I need and/or just plug in my tablet to my laptop.
5. Perform a ritual sacrifice to appease the powerful art gods.
6. Slap myself in the face and beat myself up until I finally manage to force myself to draw something.

[scarlet_wings_kaili]

1) Make sure I have all my supplies because getting up from my chair kills my vibe
2) find the right music for my mood
3) set a timer for non-stop art (just to get me started and focusing)
4) magic

[rmdooley]

Wake up.

Sit down.

Start.

[jordanthelass]

I usually just sit down at my desk, unlock my iPad, grab my apple pencil and start doodling until I come up with a funny idea.

Sometimes you just have to do it without thinking--which is what I usually do.