AI’s big banner and tagline is to “democratize art”, to challenge elitism, to “remove” expensive materials and gatekeepers.
Well, let me tell you a secret.
I’ve drawn since before I could speak. I’d ask for “olors” because I wouldn’t know how to say “Colors”. I’ve been in love with the action of creating since I have a memory and while I’ve been seduced by expensive materials, papers, and even digital tablets, drawing is one of the cheapest artforms you can practice.
The drawing on this entry was made on a recycled PVC pad. In my day-to-day I work at my design firm and sometimes we do print signages or stuff for clients. And sometimes printers fuck up or give you drafts or extras. Those things are trash.
To me, they’re canvases, or things that can be reused and painted on. I have 2 cardboard sheets I took from a vacuuming robot packaging that are perfect for this purpose too.
So let me ask you how much is the Midjourney subscription?
My creativity is zero.
This recycled PVC pad is zero.
The pencils I used costed like 30 bucks, and they will last me years. They won’t go obsolete, and its a one time purchase.
Oh yes and I have a video of the sketching of this one here:
Creating art is totally mine and I don’t need to use any tools to democratize it. I have learned everything I know from analyzing other artists and most recently followed Marc’s Brunet’s artschool program… but that’s like 35 years of free art creating with no expenses.. I mean, maybe a little because once you start buying paints or papers you get addicted but that’s a different story hahaha..
Do you feel you need tech bros to tell you you can do something? Because I don’t.
Maybe you’re an author searching to hire the perfect illustrator, maybe you’re a visual artist or designer… or maybe you’re just curious about how some scenes are selected to be represented in a book. Why are some scenes more likely to leave an impression on the audience? Who decides what to draw? In an amazing book, how to choose the best scenes?
Please know that I am sharing my process so different people might have a different way. However, I believe that choosing strong, impactful scenes to portray is somewhat a universal need for a successful representation of a book and trained illustrators can work closely with the author following these tips.
I recently wanted to illustrate a scene from Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. I chose the Prancing Pony scene where Frodo is singing before he trips and the ring accidentally lands on his finger. I picked this scene because I felt an illustration could be a great companion to the song in the book.
What’s the role of artwork in a book?
Illustrations are not only going to make the book pretty, they offer so much more:
Combining illustrations and words will help create a memorable narrative experience
Illustrations not just follow the author’s words, they will also portray their personality and vision for the story
An illustration should augment the words, not duplicate them, providing the reader a new emotion, take, or frame of what they’re reading
Illustrations act like a bridge between the text and the reader, conveying emotions and feelings
Marketing assets
How to choose the best scene from a book to illustrate?
Of course being absolute on what “best” means can be troublesome, and as usual, it depends on the purpose of the illustration (clarify, foreshadow, deepen emotion, orient in space, etc.)
But the best scene to illustrate is a moment that is pivotal in the story, visually clear, and emotionally charged enough that an image can carry it without the surrounding paragraphs. Let’s emphasize that “pivotal” does not always mean the big twist; it can be a quiet turning point, first reveal of a setting, or a character choice that changes everything.
Before choosing the best scene(s), map the whole story. Authors can work with the illustrator and list key beats: inciting incident, turning points, climax, resolution, plus any especially vivid descriptions.
From that list, mark which beats actually need visual help (complex setting, abstract idea, large cast, or emotional nuance hard to explain in words alone).
Look for big turning points, emotional highs/lows, and important character introductions. In children’s books in particular, scenes that establish setting, mood, or recurring motifs make strong illustration anchors across the book.
Avoid cool but empty images
Prioritize scenes that move the story forward, reveal character, or set up/follow through on conflict, not just random action for spectacle. Of course, sometimes a scene can be so emotionally charged or set the mood and theme. These are great scenes for a visual worldbuilding.
Strong scenes often serve multiple purposes: plot beat + character development + setting details or symbolism packed into one moment.
Use illustrations to establish mood and theme
We can also think beyond what’s written and think about abstract concepts, symbols, and embrace creativity. Pick scenes that capture the essence of the book’s tone (whimsical, funny, intimate, etc) so the illustration reinforces a theme.
Mood can be expressed visually through color, lighting, and composition choices (e.g., warm vs cold palettes, crowded vs empty spaces).
Thinking beyond literal illustration encourages visual storytelling that complements and enriches the written narrative by creatively expressing ideas, feelings, and themes in ways that resonate uniquely with the viewer.
I wanted to show a warm and cozy scene before things turn pretty dark. They were having fun, felt hopeful, and in a way they didn’t understand the seriousness of the task they were part of.
Illustrations for subtext
Borrowed from children’s book practice, in-between moments create a dynamic between words and images, known as word–image synergy. Instead of duplicating the text, these illustrations add subtext and emotional layers, inviting the reader to engage more deeply by interpreting what’s suggested but not explicitly shown. This could be a subtle facial expression, a symbolic object, or the atmosphere surrounding the action that hints at the unspoken feelings or future events.
This technique helps transform a book from straightforward narration to a visually engaging, interpretive work where the pictures and text work together to tell a richer story.
Final Thoughts
Choosing scenes is less about “which parts look coolest” and more about co‑authoring the reading experience: deciding where an image will most powerfully shift how the reader feels, imagines, or understands the story.
I am extremely happy with this one. BUT if I were to illustrate the whole book, I would need to do a list of scenes that are key beats or commit to a lot of illustrations. That’s not something I’m willingly embarking into at this time LOL!
We all aspire to greatness. Some more than others–and it often leads to dissatisfaction, frustration, and burnout. Less pressure works better than pushing to your limits at all times.
I’ve always been a tryharder and often, I felt proud of it. My approach to everything was just to try harder. I made a mistake? Try harder. My client wasn’t as happy? Try harder. My drawing wasn’t perfect? Yes, you guessed it: Try harder.
We love to think that life is simple like that, that we can have a formula for success and follow it to get the results we want every time, but growing up means realizing that isn’t true. Life sometimes gets nasty, and even when we “do everything right”, results can lead to failure. It is ok to try hard but not for everything, at all moments.
I published a video about how the flow has been my friend lately:
Maybe the answer is to not push ourselves all the time. I know that there are moments in life where there’s no way around it, but unlearning the “tryhardiness” has been one of the most difficult tasks of my 30’s.
Final Thoughts
Be nice to yourself and allow yourself to be OK. Not perfect. Sometimes we can’t control the outcome even if we push ourselves to the limit, so let go of that expectation to be better all the time. You’re a human being that is human just for being. To be or not to be….amiright?
Do you know who George Miller is? He wrote the movies Mad Max and Babe. Do you think those two movies are part of the same “collection”? Let that sink in.
You might identify as an artist, or wanna be artist, or just someone who enjoys creating. If you want to do this professionally, they say, you should find a style and stick to it. Really? I mean I get it. People see things and say “oh I want one just like this one”. And if we’re applying to a certain job or gig, maybe we can create a tailored portfolio for that (we’re supposed to do that anyway, no?). But why limit yourself to marrying a style or theme?
So here I am once more yelling at the void.
Even the greatest artists needed some freedom. You probably have heard of Picasso. And this is what you think of when they mention his name:
But did you know this is also his? (And to put us all to shame, he painted it when he was 14 years old!)
Even his later work was pretty different than his early cubism days but since he was pretty famous (and still is) nobody cares much. He was/is allowed to be free. To talk about freedom is a little bit deeper than this but at the end of the day, when you have a certain status, you’re allowed to make more choices and execute them. Most people probably won’t have this same privilege, but in retrospect, I am no one. Nobody expects anything from me (perhaps just mom and dad) so why should I limit myself to a certain style or theme? Being a nobody, and having no current prospects for my art or clients, why shouldn’t I just enjoy creating?
Yup. I think even if I had prospects… I can tailor my portfolio, right? I’ve read and seen in many videos of well-established artists mentoring young aspiring artists that they must create the work they want to be hired for. For example, do you want to be hired for children’s books? Do passion projects for yourself, do children’s books. Then put that in a pretty portfolio and get out there. Yell to the void. Someone will listen eventually. Or not. It is very much luck anyway but let’s get free of this idea of style and pressure when there’s really no actual value on that.
So here are some images because I want to show how different things can be when you’re having fun. I had a lot of fun with each of these, and they all are special to me. I don’t think people will necessarily map them together to say those were painted by me, but does that matter? We add our little signatures, or social media, or whatever. It is there.
This short stands out in the Animatrix collection because there’s something about it that is so innocent and pure. Like the children playing. I guess it doesn’t quite start that way, but once our protagonist meets the cool kids (I named this tribute “When I met the cool kids”), things turn very bright and magical.
I think I paint whimsical things because the world isn’t always a happy place. And this short is that little light in that dense Matrix universe of cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, doomed world.
Anyway– here’s a short video essay on the duality of feeling this depression/doom and creating feelgood, whimsical things. Oh yes, and the timelapse of the digital painting.
Disclaimer: I noticed my audio is a little low- I am sorry I had no script so I am not going to rerecord it! But now I know, for the next one…
We’ve all been there: stressed out, broken, ready to scream into the void. Sometimes, you just need a break. So here’s the deal: today, we’re going full-on Druid mode. Or at least pretending to. Because, honestly, the world sucks, and sometimes you need a bit of magic and nature to just breathe.
Here’s how to do it.
How I came to this idea
A few weeks ago I was drawing a druid in my old sketchbook. Prompted by Paintable’s one week character (although I was doing it months later),It was just a small silly sketch and I liked it, but didn’t really feel the need/urge to finish it or do more with it. It remains an unfinished idea in my notebook… Until today. I thought what would it be to be a “modern druid“? I take this back and edit my post because I am sick of pretending everything is alright. The world is too much and let’s just pretend to be Druids, ok?
I also made this sketch available for free use without copyright at Wikimedia Commons. Maybe one day I will scan it and make it available properly. Bare with me, I can barely exist.
Disclosure: I am mostly thinking about the D&D druid class, and not the Celtic religious leader kind.
Treats and snacks
Teas and infusions: Most days, a hot drink helps me feel better about life. If your thing is iced drinks, just change it… I’m not your mom to tell you what to do.
Pies and cakes: Pastries filled with berries and nuts help with the chill vibe (maybe something like a hobbit meal?), but sometimes we just need sweets. Anything that you can snack on and feel comfort.
Nut cookies: Earthy and nutty treats align with the woodland Druid stuff– but maybe your thing is chips and savory. Go for it.
Honey: The perfect addition to your tea or cookie. We can then imagine opening some doors for druids, hobbits, and elves to join our party.
Of course I couldn’t resist sharing some of my artwork about the foody-goodies!
Activities
Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku): I felt blissful and joyful when I discovered hikes on the hardest year of my life. Spending mindful time in nature, absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest (or beach??) is very soul-healing. Don’t ignore it!
Eco-crafting: Creating tools, clothes or objects from natural materials sounds like fun.
En plein air: Painting outdoors to really stop time for a while. I don’t know about you but painting and drawing really makes it all better.
Wildlife photography: Take your camera or smartphone and go for a hike. Look for birds, squirrels, or any wildlife and take photos! As a modern (make-believe) druid you might not be able to connect with wildlife, so this is the best we can do.
Sharing some nature adventures I’ve had. I loved that kitty hat!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, remember that this isn’t about “fixing” your problems. It’s about having a break for a while. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers…it’s just about existing in the moment, without all the pressure. So when you’re done, don’t overthink it. Just feel whatever it is you’re feeling, and know that’s enough.
Summertime is great. This year I am enjoying the 38ºC more than usual, spending most of my sketching time drawing birds.
Last year I was out of my hometown and when summer arrived in Massachusetts, life begun. You see, I arrived in fall and it was great to see the orange and red everywhere. I felt like in the movies and it was wonderful.
After a few weeks, everything died. Of course, being in a place where scenery changed so much was a novel experience and I loved it. Then the snow and winter was lovely but after weeks and months of being cold (spring was freezing too!) you kind of get used to it. I wasn’t missing much of my home, or that’s what I thought.
Crow with treasure, 2023. I always loved crows but never drew or painted one. I guess Mass inspired me?
Then comes June and July. Massachusetts became a completely different place. People were happy (and outside) everywhere. Festivals, park events, families running and playing on the yards, music, laughter. Warm days not only made them happier, I was also so full of energy, I felt purpose, motivation to do exercise, days were longer, etc.
Summertime in Boston, 2022Sunset at the lagoon, January 2024. Welcome back home, Cynthia!
Embracing Today
Summer is a luxury, something to look for to. At least for people with less fortunate coordinates. Now I get why people would say I lived in paradise when they found out I live in Cancun. LOL people would ask me where we came from and I’d say “Cancun, Mexico”. They would be like “Why? Why did you come here!?” I guess snow is pretty and all that, but it can be very boring and cold after years of being isolated home? I don’t know hah I love being isolated home, but weather for sure plays a role in our happiness.
I embrace my luxury. In Cancun, every day is summer. Even in winter, temperatures don’t go below 15ºC ever. And this is probably as low as it will ever go. I don’t need to put boots and a full set of clothes to walk my dogs at 7am. I can go in my pajamas and flip flops, no prep or anything. People are always outside, enjoying weather. I sigh contently (and sweaty).
Nature is a Gift
I know this sounds extremely cliche and cheesy, but it is! While I miss my cold hikes in Mass and the ever changing scenery, I can see so many colorful birds here. There are many yellow birds, but we have so many different ones in all shades and shapes. I need to pay more attention and take more photos. On one hand I love that I often enjoy the moment and don’t waste it in my phone or camera, but on the other hand, I could take more photos and contemplate the world around me with artsy eyes, as it is super fun!
Lately I am focusing on drawing a lot of birds as I am working on my first picture book. Who had the brilliant idea of writing a story about birds without knowing how to draw birds? Of course, LOL.
Quick bird studies
Final Thoughts
Enjoy what’s available to you. Sometimes we feel the grass is greener on the other side, but you might be standing on treasure, wasting time dreaming of being somewhere else. Breathe in nature and your surroundings–breathe out art.
I invite you to draw birds this summer. Or if drawing is not your cup of tea, try taking photos, writing a short story, imitate their song. Anything goes!
Many artists are committed to the search for meaning or purpose. They explore what it means to be alive, or if they (or artwork) will have an impact in the world. But does art really need purpose or meaning? In this article, I want to share a few thoughts on this interesting topic and continue with my hunt for freedom in my practice, more than anything.
Why Searching for Meaning
Maybe artists are very “sensitive” and feel this drive for purpose or meaning (we are a little bit self-centered); or art has always been a companion in human history, documenting our social contexts; or art is an expression of our true selves; or art can translate feelings and abstract concepts into the physical world to leave a mark on history. While these reasons for searching for meaning can be true, art can also be just fun. For the artist, for the viewer– something that we enjoy doing, and the “purpose” for art can be different for every one of us but—what if art was meant to be enjoyed, and that’s it? Refer to Richard Collison’s post to dive deeper.
In the main image for this article, you will see some quick drawings I did one morning. I wasn’t thinking about deep purpose or meaning. It was just a task to draw shapes in perspective and add some lights and shadows and these were the things in front of me. I guess we can say that the purpose of those was to practice drawing, but other than that… can we assign value, purpose, or meaning to the depiction of headphones and a coffee mug? Eh– it is up to you. You can say “Of course! It means hygge!”. The reality is that art will always represent this subjectivity, but I want to make a case for enjoying the moment, either for the creator or the spectator without assigning value to everything!!
Using Art to Connect with Your Inner Child
While I am trying to find meaning in life, I am pushing myself to be better in art to find myself. When I was a kid, I didn’t really care much if my art was good or bad, or if I would be good enough to sell artworks. Adults often asked me “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and I would reply “A painter”. Then some of them would reply “You will starve” or “But that doesn’t pay off”. Of course, I wouldn’t quite understand, because when we’re little kids we want to be happy and have fun; that’s all we want. We don’t understand money, or jobs, or any of this crap adults have to deal with. Right now, I’m using art to find my artistic self again and find happiness in the process, not the outcome.
Outcome is Inevitable
So I’m saying over and over that I’m enjoying the process and trying to not bind myself to the end product, or what I will do with the artwork, or if people will like it or not. However, I have been drawing and painting every day for 31 days (for the second time in my adult life) without interruption and I am starting to see great things as outcomes:
I feel happier and more connected with my inner child
My creative juices flow more quickly
My drawing and painting skills are improving (even without trying that hard!)
I am not afraid or ashamed to ask my friends to support my work (liking, sharing, commenting, etc)
My social media is ramping up, thanks to exposure from friends and family
I’m gaining confidence
Final Thoughts
I’m learning to take myself less seriously, including my art practice. The funny thing is that I’m doing a lot of art studies and improving while I don’t care. Hah! Things always work out at the end, they say. Maybe I will be able to be very masterful one day, but let’s not worry or care about that right now! Let’s embrace meaningful and deep artworks while also enjoying things just for the sake of enjoying them. I guess art is just like life. What if the meaning of it all was to let go, enjoy the ride, and live for the sake of living?
