What do you usually do when you’re drawing for a long period of time?

[Chocolate]

I never drew for more than an hour. I usually just stares at random picture, eat some snacks, and then cry to animes.

[BoomerZ]

I regularly draw for 8+ hours a day. It's my job. The key is little breaks and walk around, take lunch and walk around, and don't get distracted.

[RedLenai]

Well, if I've been drawing for several hours then that means I either was inking, or coloring, since those things are what takes most of my time.

Then I take small breaks, either to have have breakfast, lunch, bathroom or do some cleaning.
I check social media from time to time, mostly when my files are loading or being updated in the cloud since it takes a bit of time. I use alarms and timers for these things

[feuersichel]

When I'm in the drawing mode, it got me. I have to force myself to make breaks so my back doesn't start hurting. Usually I have that, when I'm in a good mood with lots of inspiration. The biggest motivation is, "I really want to get that chapter finished". But I also have phases, where I don't touch a pencil for weeks.

[KSlinger]

When I'm actually drawing it's for six hours or more and I always have my headphones on with one song on repeat (yup). Usually have two drinks, coffee and water. I get up every 30mins or so to get a lil food and 'refresh' my mind so I forget what I'm working on and can see the problem areas when I get back. My husband bothers me A LOT bc my office is en route to the kitchen. 🥲

[Legendofgenii]

I usually play a song on repeat too. It helps me to focus.

I will draw solidly unless I’m interrupted, or have other things that need doing. Lol.

[PoquitoBird]

I think its all about time management for working on anything. Here are some of the things that I do during an art session:

• Set timers on my phone so I'm not staying up all night drawing

• Changing up types of things I draw so I don't lose interest (from panel sketching/digital/background painting, etc)

• Stretch (back, arms, hands, fingers, everything) and drink water

• Switch back and forth between sitting and standing desk

• Listen to some good tunes or comic playlist I made for that scene

• Go for a walk and take a break!

[VibrantFox]

the amount of time i spend drawing usually ends up being a matter of headspace, energy and level of motivation so i can have days where i really wanna draw but nothing comes or i'm finally able to draw but i'm too tired to get things started or finished

what's helped during recent bouts is just getting sketches out, doesn't matter for what but just something to get back into a rhythm and to remember the feel of drawing and then finding focused subject to work on after that, like roughs for comics, character drawings, etc

another thing i've learned recently is how i've likely been tackling warm up wrong or at the least wasn't fully informed of how to go over them and this tumblr post happened to be really useful in elaborating

in a world of pure imagination

i also second any advice on stretching between and during your sessions as well as properly hydrating but when it comes to setting a mood or building an environment to encourage creativity consider what things help put you at ease and help you feel productive and if you can't find another person to be your motivator find things you can reward yourself with like food or watching an episode of your favorite show. Beyond that is just building that space whether it's opening a window to let in fresh air or more light, putting on music that inspires your imagination or clearing out a space so you can 100% focus on just art without other distractions (even i've had to hide games or my phone from myself)

Plus like the little bird said there's always just stepping away and taking a breather, after all you can't always force creativity and in some cases can definitely do more harm than good

[ThunderChicken]

I generally crank some 80’s hair metal and get into the zone. Once I’m in the zone I tend to stay there for hours, whether it’s writing or drawing. Then, quite suddenly, I will see a squirrel (or some other distraction), fall out of the zone, and then all is lost: God himself will not get me back into it.

[HiMothie]

usually i find a video essay and just let youtube auto play while i zone in. I like to do my pages in batches so ill routinely bust out 6 at a time. Kinda fall into a trance?? I always wind up getting startled when my SO comes in to check on me. and then i go stretch and eat

[HiMothie]

if its not youtube, its themed spotify playlists XD

[thepenmonster]

Assuming my day goes according to plan. And it hasn't recently;

12:00 to 2:30- Pop CBD. Research, loosening up, drawing

2:30 to 3:30- Walking, getting fresh air, touching grass

3:30 to 5:00- Drawing

5:00 to 6:30/ 7:00- Meal time. Goofing off time.

6:30/ 7:00 to 9:00- Finish up what I'm working on. Nine is a strict cut off. I'll go past if I'm close to being done but if not, it's tomorrow's problem.

I either trust Spotify with a play list of I just set the Liked list to random. Chat windows are open so I'm not always gripping a stylus all day.

[GothickangelStudios]

Pre TBI (brain injury others caused) and epilepsy. I drew in 3 hour intervals throughout the day then would take breaks of like playing some solitare or chores around the house. Cleaning relaxes my mind and organizes it. I worked from home then.

Now I use a timer and do 1 hour at a time to rest my eye/brain motion issues then repeat for 2 more hours. Or else it triggers a siezure. I watch streaming or my fav cable tv channel inbetween or do some physio at home.

[ButterflyEmpress]

Normally I'd just watch videos or listen to music. But I'd be careful 'cause some things can be a huge distraction especially anime or anything that requires a lot of attention OR even just finding something to watch. I'd say the least distracting thing to listen to is video game OSTs or anything without lyrics. But somedays my brain is stubborn and wants to listen to something else.

[SpookyLocker]

Put on my music to jam out too, while a video is on in the background, then a 30 minute video game break rinse repeat sleep work blah blah blah