Go with the Flow, by Mike Ciccotello

A couple weeks ago I spoke with an artist friend about why I work digitally. The short answer is, it’s practical. But there’s more to it.

I used to have a studio with three easels, a drafting table, a flat work area, and large desk with my computer. Technically I still have all of that, but it’s got a lot of boxes and stuff in front of it right now. Almost three years ago, our twins were born. I had to make a decision about my art, but I had some options. A: Was I going to stop making art all together? B: Was I going to sequester myself in my basement studio away from my family? C: Was I going to change the way I work so I could be present for my family, but also satisfy my passion to create.

I chose C. I decided to move a small table into our family room to hold my computer, and looked into a tablet that could serve as a digital studio. Coincidently, about 6 months after the boys were born, Apple came out with the iPad Pro. I researched it and purchased one. I haven’t looked back. 

Do I still use a sketchpad? Yes, but I haven’t done a full piece in paint or colored pencils in almost three years. Will I switch back at some point? I don't know. What I'm doing right now is working, so I don't have the need to change.

This isn’t the only time I changed the way I create. I used to commute on a long train ride, twice a day, for 14 years. I needed to make use of that time. I decided I could sleep, read, or sketch during that time. I learned how to draw on bumpy trains and created a bunch of work during those years. I read and slept as well, but in hindsight, I'd say, the bulk of the trips were spent drawing.

Many people run into this problem. None of this was a flip of the switch solution. It started off as a problem and over time, I figured out a solution that worked best for me. I’m not suggesting you switch to digital or start drawing in your car while driving. Definitely don’t draw and drive. I am suggesting, if your life has changed, giving you a new set of priorities, then go with the flow and change the way you work. The important thing is to satisfy your passion to create.

My Sketchpad and My iPad Pro

Represented by Rachel Orr

For more info contact 

rko(a)prospectagency.com

Prospect Agency Portfolio

Facebook:  The Art of Mike Ciccotello 

Twitter: @ciccotello 

Instagram: @ciccotello 

Time Managed - by Mike Ciccotello

I get asked this a lot, so I'm gonna' tell you how I complete my children's illustration, social media, website, coffee cup doodles, and freelance work; while having a family, and working a full time job. 

Drawing with the boys - Photo credit to my wonderful wife, Anne-Marie 

I own a time-turner, well not really, but I wish I did. I would totally go back to sixth grade and not trip over those chairs during my student council speech. True story.

Really though, I practice the art of time management. I'm not sure this will work for you, but I'll tell you what works for me. Maybe you'll find a little nugget of useful information and it will help your day-to-day workflow. If not, well, I'm just wasting your time.

Make a Schedule or To Do list

• Write out your schedule. Identify the things in your life that are constant. Family time, Job, etc.
• List your projects and goals. Manuscript, portfolio, book dummy, social media promotion, etc. 
• Break down your projects into time needed to complete by small, medium, and large
• Place your projects where they fit

For example: 

• I have 20 minutes every morning. I do my social media posts for the day.
• I have evenings free after the kids are in bed. I work on my medium and large projects, sometimes I work late into the night.

Website and Social Media

Keep in mind that your schedule may change at any point. Everyone's schedule is different and every creator is different. Some need large blocks of time, some can work in small pockets of time. The key is to identify who you are and work with it. 

Get the easy stuff out of the way. You will have small feelings of accomplishment, and those items won't be hanging over your head. It will also get you into a good habit of getting the small stuff done quickly.

Working on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil in the Procreate App

I have changed my workflow to be almost completely digital since our twin boys were born. It was a bit of a learning curve, but I can be much more productive with a digital studio that fits in my bag.

I am a creator that can do things in small chunks of time, but would prefer large blocks of time. My working process is constantly evolving. You have to go with the flow and be willing to work within the pockets of time that are available. What type of creator are you?

Transferring digital images from Procreate App to Photoshop on my desktop computer

Website:  Ciccotello.com

Facebook:  The Art of Mike Ciccotello

Twitter: @ciccotello
Instagram: @ciccotello