Comments | wabwakshi: Drawing and Distractions

wabwakshi

Drawing and Distractions

Jan 09, 2010 02:08

I got a rather late start on the things I really wanted to do, today. I had an errand to run (read: an appointment) down in Kalamazoo this morning, and didn't get back home until after 2:00 pm. I began working on finishing the color for my first real Trangst strip, but it seemed like I couldn't focus at all ( Read more... )

distractions, art, music, comics

Comments 8

todief0r January 9 2010, 08:16:54 UTC

If you're willing to drop a solid $50 or so, http://www.skullcandy.com has a lot of really great-quality headphones, the higher-scale ones aimed at DJ's and music producers and the like.

I know you requested over-the-ear phones, but I just got a badass set of V-Moda earbuds that I actually use as earplugs sometimes when I'm trying to sleep and the heater is too noisy. They've got badass bass boost without blowing out your eardrums, probably the best earbuds I've ever used.

God, I sound like an infomercial.

ACT NOW AND WE'LL THROW IN A FREE SLAPCHOP WITH P&H

wabwakshi January 9 2010, 15:10:23 UTC

I was looking at the skullcandy line. The price isn't that huge of an issue, since I won't be buying them right away, but probably after I go to Ohayocon (ideally, I'll have a wee bit o' profit with which to make such a purchase.

I wish I could use earbuds. Every pair I've ever used has hurt my ears quite a bit (I have very tiny ears with very narrow ear canals). Even the basic iPod earbuds feel like I'm cramming boulders into my ears.

Thanks for the advice, I'll take a closer look at the skullcandy options. I wish I could try them on to see how comfortable they are :-p

todief0r January 9 2010, 19:13:19 UTC

Ugh, iPod earbuds are terrrrible, they hurt my ears, too...The V-Moda ones are really comfortable, though, I was very impressed ;q

admiralzeka January 9 2010, 16:42:48 UTC

I do that too, have either music or the TV on in the background while working on stuff. Like 95% of what I work on is on my computer, either writing or classwork, so avoiding online distractions is something I can only avoid by being focused enough. I'd suggest doing your drawing no where near your computer if that's possible, might help remove some of the distraction. Maybe go to a library or something. I used to do that when I needed to focus on homework or studying. Something about being out of the place I live helps remind me that I'm there to work I think.

wabwakshi January 9 2010, 16:51:45 UTC

Unfortunately, I can't really take my large format drawings anywhere other than my studio downstairs, but for smaller format drawings, I can take them pretty much anywhere.

The other problem with that is my comics are 100% digital, so the roughs, lineart, and coloring are all done on the computer with a Wacom Intuos3 tablet in Photoshop. That makes avoiding internet distractions even more difficult, unfortunately @_@.

ejjury January 9 2010, 23:30:55 UTC

You could always create a profile for the computer that has all the links to using these distracting programs removed. I did that when I was at CMU and getting distracted by Facebook.

wabwakshi January 10 2010, 06:17:14 UTC

Hmm. That's actually not such a bad idea. I am, admittedly, quite bad about that. It's why I took the instant messengers off my iMac... and run my laptop next to it with the instant messengers running on that, instead...

aisaku February 1 2010, 23:14:43 UTC

I hear you. What works for me when I find it really hard to concentrate is having some sort of video playing on the background, something I've already seen several times like my favorite shows, futurama, doctor who, house. With instant messaging I try to make good use of my status. I outright tell people when I'm busy and cannot respond immediately, or just away when I know I won't be able to respond in a long time. That way I tell my contacts and myself what I shall be doing at the time.