"The Zone", have you been there?

[sketchbooksage]

When you are creating whether it's a drawing,painting,sculpting or writing do you go to a place or reach a state where you don't actively think about what you are creating but simply do without thought or unguided by thought? Some would call this "The Zone", A state where you are intuitively doing without engaging in the mental process of how to do it but just doing it. I usually do everytime I'm drawing. What is your individual experiences with "The Zone"?

[bmacbride]

I guess I know what you mean, sometimes it's like I'm in this mindless trance when I draw, or like I'm on autopilot, especially when I'm drawing things I'm very comfortable drawing, like faces. Or coloring. When I'm just laying down base colors, it's like my brain is off.

I'm also quite unable to multitask at all; more specifically, I can't get my brain to do two things at once, so when I draw with music on, I can't really hear the music. If someone speaks to me, I don't really hear what they're saying. I've tried to draw studies from movies while I watch them, but I can't do both. Sometimes it even feels like my brain kinda shuts off and gives up if there's too much sensory stuff going on lol. I've found that what keeps me on track/focused best is snacking while I draw, or playing with something in my other hand.

[SpavVy]

Yes, I've been in the zone plenty of times when drawing, writing and even cleaning.

[joannekwan]

Don't know if I get into a zone where I'm on autopilot, but I definitely get into a groove when I'm listening to music and I belt out along with the song and everything I'm drawing/painting at the moment comes with ease. It's a great feeling.

[winglesscomic]

Only when I play mindless grind video games. I'm usually pissed off when I'm drawing and my brain is being immolated

[sketchbooksage]

Yeah you got it. It seems it's easier to reach this state with the experience gained from practice.

[raymundnell]

I think almost all of us has been there. XD When I write a story for my drama series, I listen to VERY sad music, then all sad things pops out of my mind. XD and then after I reread what I had written, I do revisions and thought to myself, "am I really this gloomy to write all of this?" XD

[MylCreates]

Yeah this happens alot, both with architecture studio and making comics. It's a little dangerous for me though because I can do this for like 12 hours + without realizing how long time's past.

[SpavVy]

Same here xD one time I did pages for a whole day and before I knew it was 5am...

[Aspie_Gamer]

this usually happens to me around the time I start coloring something!

[Dranif]

I don't think I've been through that before, but I've had times that I let my emotions take over when drawing.

[Cielle]

I've definitely been in The Zone before. I think the strangest thing is when you become aware that you're in the Zone, and then BAM. Awareness of the zone kills the zone. At least for me. When I leave the zone, I'm always shocked by how much time has passed.

[studiomik]

For me it's a good thing. It's the reaseon i draw. To get in the zone and do what i like best. Putting on some music helps mute the surrounding sounds. Emotion is what it's all about i think, getting into character and try to get that feeling across into a drawing. Comic-creators are in a way, actors on paper. And getting out of the zone is like the ending of a good movie.

[masterstylezero]

I get in the zone only at home on my desk with good music.

[jessicasurline]

Oh yes the Zone! Best place to be! I compare it to the Nexus form the Star Trek Generations movie. It completely envelopes you and miracles happen! For me its hard to find this perfect Zone. Im usually mewling through drawing harder or complex stuff or jammin' on some music. When that moment comes though, its like lightning in a bottle! Its amazing to be so completely engrossed in the world beyond the paper. That is usually when I discover new things about characters or figure out how to fix a story kink for a later chapter. I'm always sad when its done, though. I love getting pumped on an art project and feeling the fluidity of the line work. Honestly, it seems more like I can see something on the page and then it draws itself. Its pure magic!

[rc360]

I get in the zone whenever I come up with a story idea. Usually, it's never when I'm around something to write it down, so I keep playing it through my head while doing whatever I happen to be doing. For me, it's like bassist and ex-NBA star, the late Wayman Tisdale, said in his song "In the Zone":

1. Once you're in the zone, you never wanna leave.
2. Feels like anything you do, it's gonna be good.
3. It just doesn't last long enough.

[purrlpankras]

Oh yeaaah ... Sure

When I start foaming at the mouth, I know its time for a break...

[sarahrebecca58]

In my ideal years when I was writing novellas, I would use a timer to stay away from writing boards that specifically were filled with so much vitriol that it literally took me out of the writing zone.

I prefer to not think about what I'm thinking thanks. Not conform to other peoples standards about what I should write about.

That ended up more ranty than I intended.:/

But yea if I could just get into a zone of not thinking about writing/drawing, that would be the greatest.

[jessicasurline]

Here is a fun little TED Talk from Elizabeth Gilbert about our creative genius. She does a great job at describing "the Zone".