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Great video!

I've gone through the artists way a while ago, and i'm thinking about doing it again because of you! You're managing this so well - i personally really struggled with week 4 and the reading deprivation, you are doing great! Lots of love!

It's amazing you're able to find so many good takeaways, it's quite the skill. I'd be too busy rolling my eyes at some of this...

Ok...Louise, you have just had a mega, mega creative week. Congratulations!!! No, I am not being sarcastic. I am telling it how it is!!! And btw, this is not 'just for you', but for every single person who thinks that they are not creative / only being creative when creating art. There are a lot of those folk around here on ArtTube - hearing the artist, reading the comments is heart-breaking at times! So here we go - and this list is not complete! 1: You have cleaned your house. You have *created* a fresh, clean, safe environment for you and your family. 2: You have decluttered your family's clothes. You have *created* easily accessible storage for you all, leading to *creating* more time and created less stress for you and your husband, as you can grab the things you need without searching. 3: You have put way the ironing: You have *created* easily accessible clothes for you all, leading to *creating* more time and *created* less stress for you and your husband, as you can find the things you need without searching. 4: You have done some sewing: You have *created* a pretty, new top. 5: You have repainted a white table, *creating* a much more practical, and kinder-to-the-eyes work surface. 6: You have read your book because you have *created* more time by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.. 7: You have *created* an interesting commentary video on week four of the Artist's Way. 8: You have recognised the problems of internet distractions and managed a week without it. You have *created* more time, more physical and mental space, less eye strain, less stress. 9: You have told us how 7 has worked for you, and so have *created* in some of us a greater realisation of just how much more we could get done if only we could just switch of and walk away from that computer / tablet / mobile phone in our hands. 10: Every day, you are *creating* meals for your family. 11 When you do the shopping, you are *creating* a supply of the things you need for feeding the family, keeping the house clean, etc, etc etc. 12: Each time you do the washing up, clean up after cooking, you are *creating* a clean, safe space, where you can easily work, *creating* more time and pleasure because everything is where you need to when you need it. 13: By decluttering, putting things away, you are *creating* a safe environment for you and your family, 14: By making this (incomplete) list, hopefully I’ve *created* something which encourages you / us, realise that *everything* you / we do is creative in some way, and that it’s not just about making marks on a piece of paper! Yes, I mean 'me, too'! I keep thinking that I should do a time management study (I’ve done them in the past, with good results!) but keep putting it off, partly because in itself it takes time, but also, putting it in writing is scary, in a way it hasn’t been before! Yes, I mean 'me, too'! Apart from my small FB group, I don't do social media, but scrolling through my YT home page to get rid of all the rubbish they recommend me in order to find the things that interest me takes ages. Google searches to find answers to the questions that pop up in my mind isn't exactly time wasting, but it is time consuming when I ought to be doing something else... I'm a reading addict, too - have been all my life, and with Kindle, with its almost 200 books in my library on mobile phone and tablet, reading anywhere and everywhere just got very, very easy .... (I'm not mentioning the 1000 or so on my bookshelves) So yes, ‘me, too’, and millions like me, like you… Be encouraged, my creative friend! You’re doing ok! 🤗🫂

Would you happen to know how that Art Fundamentals book compares to Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain?

I do like this, thanks for sharing your hard work

Richard Pryor once did a comedy act which he portrayed god, he came to earth and asked “what did you do to my son?” He was here for you to love you save you..” And there’s more to the sketch they replied “we killed him” god replied “you’re on your own” it’s not meant to be funny, but it shows the behavior of some, (I’m not religious but it’s a illustrative point) - I very much support your view of this book by the way

What you went through was terrible. It’s extremely brave to be open about it and I agree with you about the book 100%. Being preached to is not being listened to, and sets a person into a defensive stance automatically

Thank you Louise for this video of great value!

Hi Louise. What a brilliant video! I was absolutely stunned to realise I was the person who bought the W&N watercolour sticks 😂 I purchased them to send to a TH-camr and more importantly, my friend in America for her to review, demonstrate and basically hoard! I have recently been on a second hand art supply buy on eBay. Watching you, it suddenly occurred to me that I will never use ANY of it as I have enough supplies to last several lifetimes. And so…I intend to take a leaf out of your book and resell the majority or gift. Second hand supplies are an excellent way of getting your hands on professional supplies for a fraction of the price new. I am a very new subscriber, and so it truly did make me do the whole laugh out loud, discovering that you were my way to try W&N sticks before passing them on as I previously said. Great video, and I absolutely promise myself to deal with my seemingly ever growing art supply addiction. 🤷‍♀️🎨👩🏻‍🎨🖌️

Hi, Louise. <Gentle, caring, loving hug.> Huge respect for you!!! I just have to say it again, what huge respect I have that you are going on with an author whose views are .... <looks for a word> .... muddling? even to someone with a lifetime experience of Christian teaching and living. There seemed to be a lot of 'preachment' but little to equate that to the actual art we make.... EG anger: Preaching, or suggesting that we get out our pastels / paints / markers and let loose on a big sheet of paper in big sweeps / scribbbles of colour? I encourage the pastel / paint / marker option! Especially as it's fascinating to realise just how much tension's been let out, to step back and look at the marks we made, colours we used. and so often, amazement and wonder end up being the feelings taken away. Same with any emotion - sadness, grief, joy, celebration. It is liberating, cleansing, and yeah - helpful... Next, a huge _Thankyou!!!!_ for yet again making me think about my own beliefs and actions and how relevant they are, to me, those around me, and those I meet. And finally, another gentle, caring, loving hug, because there are no words....

Hey, I completed the same book "You can draw in 30 days" I understand being your worst critic but honestly your 1st sketch book looks way better then mine. I couldn't even do a cube before doing the work book. I learned to love the journey. Your beginner art looks really good!!!

Hi love, we spoke before (well messaged but that just sounded weird) about my having a Molar Pregnancy many years ago, so what you said here really resonated with me. I greatly admire you for sticking with this book I would have lasted half a chapter! The Buddhist Bible (for want of a better word lol) is about 47 volumes long, Christians have it easy. But my favourite guy is the Dali llama he puts everything in perspective, all the crap bits this author was preaching about I just remember him saying "Hey, Shit happens". BTW The Astrophysicsist in me loved the way you explained the scientific method, I thought you go girl. Anyway as always love and hugs take care xxx

First of all, I am deeply sorry for your loss and am sending you all my support <3 I can only imagine how hard it is, and I really am sending you my warmest wishes of healing and recovery <3 I actually agree with your analysis of the 3rd week which was HARD to read. I'm currently finishing the 4th week and will start the 5th tomorrow, and I had the same feeling about the 3rd week and especially all what she wrote about coincidences. The synchronicity theory (that feel a bit more new age than purely Christian, to be fair, the word “synchronicity” at least is a very New Age word, even if the idea exists in fact in a lot of religions or spiritualities) was also a bit of a bummer for me too. I honestly was tempted to skip a lot of this chapter! It was not something that resonated with me, and also, all her discourses on emotions were a bit annoying too : I loved her opening chapter on anger, but I was like "wtf?" about a lot of things next (the prison metaphora also was hard on me). I agree with you, synchronicities can be super dangerous : I was a big adept of theses for most of my childhood to early adult life and I took so many rash decisions based on theses (and even my whole carreer, which I DEEPLY am regretting now) ! And I also was guilt trapped a lot by this way of thinking where I faced difficult events in my life : if some awful thing was happening to me, was it that I had manifested the death of my father? Or my grandparents? Or when I was attacked, had I attracted that too ? I also hate that idea that “if you change your mindset / if you work hard enough it’ll happen” I love that you reminded us that, yes, luck is, most of the time, a big factor too ! For example, I was born in France in a very poor family held by a spiritual movement : I would never have been able to afford studies if not for the French public schools and universities that are basically tuition free; and had I not got this, I probably still would be in that movement because it's several teachers and uni professors that helped me to build some critical thinking and choose the kind of adult i wanted to become for myself. To learn about maths and the randomness of life was SO liberating for me too <3 I totally resonated with your video, thank you for this <3 Now, I feel a lot more settle in my life to be able to weight the pro and cons a bit more rationality and to work towards a change of career… toward becoming a therapist, actually =3 I’m doing my degree while working as a teacher to pay for my studies ^^ The 4th week is honestly less preachy, but well… the week three, I just took the prompts, thought a bit about them, and did the morning exercises (I took your idea of a morning showing up to the page) and the artist date. I probably will be a small minority, but I really loved this video and the thoughts you had about this chapter. And your art piece was really both heartbreaking and heart-warming at the same time. Sending you all my support again <3

I’m obsessed with the mount vision dark earth set!! Amazing for landscapes and still life’s.. I also love the Ludwig eggplant and Rembrandt darks.. Richeson has some really wonderful dark options as well!

Louise don’t stop your videos! These are so very helpful I found you yesterday and been binge watching your channel! I’d been down so many you tube rabbit holes which are fascinating but not helping me move forward really love your content makes me feel I have a buddy who gets where I am and the support I need - you’re a star!!!!

Amazing video! 🩷

❤ wow what a truly helpful & informative video thank you so much!

Well done for sticking with it, Louise, and for adapting it so that it suits you better. Are you also still going on with 'The Artists' Way'? It's interesting to read the comments of the others on Drawabox. I admit to having been tempted at first, but I'm glad I didn't.

i've attempted drawabox multiple times, but i just couldn't get into it. the drills are very boring and tedious and there were a lot to do for even the first lesson? for me what i've found that suits my learning is having projects that focus on improving different fundimentals or topics that i struggle with.

Draw a box is a mixed experience for me 😅 i did enjoy some exercises and lesson, but the drills are really tedious and i remember this mouthwash like yesterday 😂 (i totally freehanded it , i must admit !) I think you can confidently make a bit of twists and modifications in the various exercises to make it funnier for you ❤

Drawabox just took the enjoyment out of art for me so I ditched it and now I'm having fun and producing more art than I did before. But if it works for you love more power to ya elbow (it's Black Country, we have weird sayings here lol) xx

i keep frayed/damages brushes for this reason, can create really neat foliage/tree effects 😀

every time someone goes through this book i think about reading it, but then i hear some of the really cheesy phrases and think, nah i'm good 😝(and my crazy maker is def my mom, hence why i dont talk to her, went NC)

Sweet

Finally someone who gets me, I’m sick of people using the term sketchbook tour in their videos when they know damn right it’s an art book. They are completely different things

Love this! So helpful. Taken some notes on things that apply to me and then looking at those resources. Thanks!

Is this good for trying to be a self-taught chibi artist

Just so everyone knows, the plastic inserts are made EXACTLY THE SAME WAY as they were made for the original, and the original models are still in use TO THIS DAY so dont worry about them not lasting because they surely should last for you if proparly taken care of !

Omg ❤ the textures are so cool with this brush ! It looks so fun to paint with ! Love the yellowish green one!

Thank you for this video series ! I'm happy to tag along with your journeys and videos ! They put a different light on this book that has been a bit of a nemesis for me since 2010 😂 (i had just left a cult and started my education, so the book was both enticing and triggering at that time) i took the time to re-read the first week today, and i saw a couple of things that look interesting to try : and i'm also really happy that the reading experience has not been triggering ! I guess it means that i worked well with my therapist ❤ i've been ridiculously proud of that ! Thank you! You gave me the impulse with your video and i'm actually very excited to try things and starting drawing and creating again ❤ I was very moved also by your story of post partum. I don't have children but i live something very similar after my phd defense for almost a year ! I guess that when a life changing thing happens, even if purely positive and happiness-bringing, our brain might need a bit of time to adapt 😅 Starting tomorrow the first week ! ❤ thanks again!

So insanely helpful, thank you. I've looked everywhere for a more detailed explanation on how to use these types of books instead of just the generic "just draw" advice.

Hi, Louise! Thankyou for your open, honest evaluations of this book so far - you have no idea how much it helps! I'm not sure if I can explain, but I'll try. Why? I saw another video, just before yours came up on my home page, which left me curious enough to look it up. It's a bit pricey for me - but more than that. I'd need to buy the physical book, for several reasons, one being the amount of time that work keeps me in front of a screen. So when your last video came up, I was even more interested. Why is it so helpful? More to the point, _you_ are really helpful!!! A bit of background, not to try to 'convert' you, because I respect you - but to try and explain why you help me so much with this evaluation. I have had a strong, independant view of God since childhood. I love him, and know his love and help for me. In everyday parlance, the tag, "Christian' is the easiest choice, but I mean it in the terms as in the New Testament. Eg Jesus' commandments, which cover all the rest put together: "You shall love the Lord your God with all [of you]. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” That's Matthew 26, verse 36 - 40. Acts chapter 11 seems a good way to explain what I mean, too... You are a breath of fresh air, honest about being an atheist, honest about your feelings about the book, and it's those reactions that mean so much to me, showing me yet again, some of the many reasons that 'Christianity' as it is today, with its rules and its jargon, can put folk off God... Well-meaning, genuinely caring people, with honest beliefs... But Jesus said, "By *this* all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (That's John 13 v 35) Not what we say, but what we do, who we really are... As honest and open as you are... and for sure, it isn't easy! But after all, the church is full of ordinary people who make mistakes and messes, who've realised God's love and forgiveness, not perfected saints!!!! I'm so rich, Louise, with my very simple faith, but it is what it is largely because I've spent my life working with children, sharing the God I love with them, and constanty needing to keep it simple, in everyday language, while acknowledging our world outside of church, the 24/7 one, seven days a week world. This is a big reason why listening to you is being so helpful to me. Another reason that I have a deep appreciation is because of your willingness not to give up on the book, but are willing to adapt the 'God Stuff' and other difficulties to something which is better suited to your own beliefs and daily life. Eg morning pages for folk who have to be out of the house for a long commute to work or an early start, who have to help children and teens to get to school in time, etc is just crazy, and would have been just as crazy when she wrote the book in the 90's. From what's been said in your video and the other one I saw, I think a lot of people would have slung the book on a shelf and left it there. Frankly, if I did get the book (and I still think I might at some point), I think I might have to do quite a bit of creative 'work-arounds', too. Having said that, as you've shown us, there's some deeply relevant stuff there for folks who've never had help with their mental health, and who have typical 2020's lifestyles... And that's another reason I wish more folk were watching your channel, and this evaluation, to give pointers, things to think about, to help those who know they're on a seemingly inescapable, ever-demanding treadmill... We know that there are very long waiting lists for psychologists / trained people who listen and understand, and allow people to 'just tell it how it is' without judgementalism or preaching.... Too many self-help videos with seemingly impossibe advice, books sitting languishing on bookshelves, bedside tables.... And here's Louise, a busy mum, two under-fives, personal knowledge of tragedy and pain, happiness and at peace with herself as she is just now, imparting her experience of a book and how she's making it work for her, being real, being genuinely helpful. A complete change of topic, if you've made it this far (I didn't realise I was going to type so much!!! ( I have tried to edit it...). You've probably thought of this already... It's about cutting and changing your hair. Are you doing it gradually? If you do it all at once, the children may not recognise you (new hair style - big changes to the seen face structure, and so on... ), be really upset, and take a long time to get over it.- it does happen! Maybe even do the colour change at home, so they see the process, and then have it done professionally later on? It's a similar situation to when small children see Mummy all dressed up, hair and make-up, and all that, when they are used to every-day Mummy, and scream because there's a strange lady ... I really should shut up and let you get on with things. It's almost midnight, the battery on my tablet's running low, I've 'talked' far too much and need my bed (church in the morning!!! 😄) Sleep well, Louise, and many, many thanls for these videos, and for reading even half of this. Thank you!!!

I love these indepth recaps Louise 🥳🥳🥳

No way! Make your own ceramic palets... in a beginner-guide to watercolour painting! 🤣🤬🤐

Thank you so much for this video and for sharing your history with therapy, mental struggles and atheism. I am also so sorry you had to endure so much in your early life, and i'm sending all my support and wishes of happiness and well being ❤. When i first read this book, i really had the same impressions than you about morning pages and the spiritual aspects of the book, so i never made it to the first week, but you make me want to try to follow along your videos ^^ and the art you did for the artist date is really cool! I love how you played with all these textures ❤

Hi, thank you for this video! I, too, wants to learn urban sketching and watercolor so I'm really excited to learn together with you.

Your old enemies....terrible - snot.. urgh ( i feel angry for you) I think they call it pants by the way. Hearing you talk about the kid choking gives me anxiety! I love a boot sale- that graphic novel is a find! Thanks for sharing your process & personal experiences. I have done the artist way too for the 2nd time which i'll be making a video about soon x look forward to heseing how you do in the next few weeks it's not easy with kids. But look forward to hear how you get along!

Thank you so much for sharing this video. It was a lot of personal information that I totally related too. I had a light read of that book years ago, but I don't remember how much I really worked through. I will have to have a look again. I think it is important to look at your creative past. It help explain where that nasty little voice in your head gets it's words. Then by thinking about it you can add in the nice words to balance it out. I have to say that I am so relieved you didn't say that you woke up and hour early, made a nice coffee and relaxed with your morning pages before anyone else was up. lol, that is just not happening. Also I loved your collage.

Graphite and fantasy animals

This was a very interesting video! How do you choose which topics to put into each unit when there are so many topics to choose from?

Just came across this video and have subscribed. This will help me a lot. Thank you.❤

Thanks it was really helpful! Just bought the first one :)

man Im so bad at reading nowadays i need to have someone show me how to do the art

Great advice for adding practicality and utility to the more conceptual books. I'm actually trying this with a gesture drawing book I have now, just to condense everything for quick reference

Loved this one! Can use these tips to master anything in art.