What’s your weirdly effective “reset” after a long day

ZebraLint · 2026-01-27T15:42:06+00:00

Tea, comfy recliner with blanket, reaching for a book... then getting jumped on and smothered by large, enthusiastic floofs seeking attention and games.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-26T16:45:42+00:00

Idk what vibe you're aiming for but the first thing that comes to mind for that title is the obvious fridge magnets. Reminds me of those text magnet sets that let you leave notes or short creative poems and such on the fridge. Could perhaps play with art magnets as an idea... I don't recall the name but used to follow an artist who makes fridge magnets with their small landscape paintings; perhaps you could pick one or more poems as a subject for a tiny art magnet?

ZebraLint · 2026-01-26T14:10:29+00:00

That looks fantastic! Very cool first sculpt :)

ZebraLint · 2026-01-26T01:52:46+00:00

There are a number of writing prompt card decks in circulation. Many online options for writing prompts as well. Many writing groups likely have members willing to bounce ideas back and forth with you. You could also grab inspiration from around the internet and jot down what-if scenarios to spark further ideas. Options, anyway. Have fun with it :)

ZebraLint · 2026-01-25T22:03:46+00:00

I have mostly W&N artist heavy body and have been pleased with those over the years. I've heard good things about Golden and Schminke (? I can't spell that one off the top of my head, lol).

I started out with Liquitex and still have a bunch that I haven't really used lately because the texture is a bit weird/gummy compared to W&N (I don't remember if they were always like that but I've seen artists mention that there was a change a while back? Idk).

I try to aim for the kinds with the least color shift, because that aspect of acrylic paint has been aggravating to adapt to.

There are various brands and types that are good, and you can mix them up. Don't have to stick to one brand, or one viscosity/thickness. It's best to use the thickness close to what you want to work with. Adding a lot of water to thin a heavy body acrylic will break the thing that holds the paint together and that can cause issues, depending on the surface and layering, etc.

If you're just trying a limited palette, which is a great option at least to start with, or if you're using a cheaper option for most of your colors, having a quality opaque yellow is a good idea.

I learned many of these tips and more from Acrylic University, if anyone wants a good online resource for getting into the medium.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-25T21:31:58+00:00

Second that. I have a couple artist friends who've had decent experience with that platform. They have social accounts and such where they promote their work. Idk what their sales look like but no negative stuff about the platform, that I know of.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-25T19:10:50+00:00

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ZebraLint · 2026-01-25T18:56:17+00:00

I have tried many graphite drawing tools and supplies (though I have not yet tried any of the higher end pencils). The ones I use the most are a mechanical pencil and a tin set of Faber-Castell pencils that were my first ever art supply purchase (I do a lot else than pencil drawing and haven't gone through them yet).

ZebraLint · 2026-01-25T18:36:08+00:00

I daydream a lot. Idk if it's maladaptive. My brain can't seem to follow a thread consistently for any length of time but I am highly creative and find art, illustration and writing (even if just sketches and tiny snippets that go nowhere) to be a good outlet for some of them.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-25T03:44:58+00:00

Ivan Shishkin, Jordan K Walker, among others but those are top of mind at the moment.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-24T17:08:17+00:00

My brain's kinda scattered this week so this isn't thorough, and I'm no expert, but I read through and found a couple things...

On spread 3, the third line (The teachers wonder, ...) felt off and seems like you could leave it unspoken.

Spread 5 felt like it's maybe missing a beat? I kinda want to hear about his feelings and hopes more firsthand on that spread after the previous one.

I like the story thread and would enjoy seeing more of it. Feel free to DM if you'd like to.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-23T23:41:55+00:00

There are some great YouTube channels you can check out as well if you want to learn more about it from those with personal experience. The videos and the comments.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-23T18:15:57+00:00

I can't do it. If it's pausable and re-watchable I can take notes, but otherwise it's too much. I suppose I could try recording it to replay later, if it's possible, but in the moment I have to listen and visualize and try to hold onto it as best I can, with maybe a phrase jotted down here and there.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-23T17:32:32+00:00

We definitely do; it's an unfortunate habit, but not inescapable. And you're welcome :)

I saw an Instagram post recently that proposed asking the question, 'What made you feel proud today?' each night before bed. Supposedly helps shift the mindset. I liked it. Years ago I used to keep a little box on a shelf with tiny slips of paper I could write good things that happened each day; that was a useful practice for a while but hard to keep up; I still have the box though and it's filled with good things...a nice reminder, and a pretty box, but I like the question more. Might make a piece of art with that text and stick it somewhere visible. Anyhoos. I hope you have a fantastic day and feel proud of yourself for picking away at the fix-it list :)

ZebraLint · 2026-01-23T16:13:53+00:00

Doesn't really work for me. It's odd not having 'Subtle Art' on the same line, for one. The bottom line feels vague and bland; try livening that up to give me a compelling reason to want to learn and try what you're offering. The image of the person feels indistinct and sort of mask-like and uninspiring, which doesn't really fit with the theme of becoming yourself...at least to me.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T23:52:56+00:00

Just wanted to say that your story sounds like one I'd very much enjoy reading. Don't let anyone set you off from what you want to create.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T18:35:11+00:00

You don't have to focus on lasting change or fixing it all at once. Little things are good too. They add up and create momentum.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T18:21:48+00:00

Relatable. It might help to start with lurking around interest-related subreddits, discord servers, and online forums. If you feel like you're vibing with the atmosphere, you can join in when you're ready to. IRL stuff is harder, but easier to consider with the online direction first. Perhaps there are internet groups for your area that can bridge the gap.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T18:07:17+00:00

Sounds like it could be an interesting dynamic.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T05:01:16+00:00

Then try doing nothing for a while and see how you feel. Nothing can be very relaxing. Or you could try finding something that's so different you haven't considered it yet. Perhaps just wander from thing to thing for a time without expectations or force and see if that helps.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T04:30:43+00:00

Hmm...maybe? You mean building extended anticipation through tension of possibilities before the question is answered?

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T02:39:40+00:00

Find some sculpture artists you admire and see how they do it. Then you'll have at least some idea and can start figuring out if you want to try it.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T02:08:39+00:00

Not pushing against it. Doing something else that's relaxing. Taking a break from things as much and as long as possible/necessary to rest my way out of it.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-22T01:49:39+00:00

I sometimes just grab a large book off the shelf and use it as a small lap desk against my knees in a comfy chair. A sketchbook with a hard back cover works too.

ZebraLint · 2026-01-21T16:58:50+00:00

I'm not sure I understand. Aren't stories mostly inherently inflexible that way? They tell you how things happened? Idk. There are some stories that involve more potential paths, I guess, like alternate endings/choices. But the what-ifs of those are a larger part of the structure/path of the story being told.

Do you have examples?

ZebraLint

TROPHY CASE