The daily practice I chose for myself was to learn more about the app Procreate, which has become nearly ubiquitous in the ITP/IMA students and among the creative technologists I’ve encountered. The issue with learning was two-fold: I neither have a significant level of art skills, nor did I know how to use the app.
As part of the practice I signed up for an online Domestika course for the beginners. Because of a somewhat unpredictable work schedule over the last week, I did not have a proper ritual surrounding the practice — but more to sneak a half an hour each day to get it done. In retrospect, a ritual would perhaps help me overcome some of the struggles easier.
Because of the nature of my chosen task (I had to actually learn how to use the app first), I found the f
irst days of practice frustrating. Finally I realized that my mistake
was not playing around with the app more. So once I started going “off-script” from the lesson to experiment with shapes and different brushes, I felt that both my learning and enjoyment greatly
increased. I also learned more.
The last experiment to-date was drawing an apple with a gouache brush, and using an image I imported into the app as reference. Although I can say that any of my results are masterpieces, I did derive a sense of satisfactions from learning a new tool — and also doing something unabashedly creative daily.
The practice itself did not have much to do with my next project for the class, but I can see it being useful in the future — as it will allow me to more easily depict ideas in my head. It will also hopefully allow me to increase the scope of my art practice.
As far as meeting with Margaret — I emailed her with my questions (I have a pretty clear idea what I need to do and simply asked for advise on sources/resources). I haven’t yet heard back.