Social media can be demoralizing if you let it. Raissa gave examples of not getting Likes for a piece you've worked hard at, or being intimidated by amazing art created by other artists etc.
However, social media can help illustrators get noticed. Partly because of Raissa's participation in the #MerMay challenge on social media, she was asked to illustrate Oona, written by Kelly DiPucchio.
Raissa showed some time-lapse videos of her digital art process. I loved how she starts with what looks like random colors or textures but then picks out shapes and turning them into people and things. She strongly recommends digital artists to try traditional/non-digital art - not having an "un-do" forces you to focus on problem solving.
Digital art can become a handicap, she warns.
Fascinating to see what Raissa calls "watercolor fails," which seem to be stream-of-consciousness experiments that Raissa will then sometimes turn into more developed illustrations. She says that Brian Wildsmith is an influence, and loves his work.
Raissa likes starting with one of these "fails" experimental pieces in non-digital format, then adding characters and other elements digitally. She says she photographs the non-digital piece on her iPhone and then Airdrops it to her iPad.
For creating the initial "fails," Raissa experiments with different media and tools. Raissa even did a live demo of how she creates one of her initial inspiration pieces! You can see her using a feather to create interesting textures:
She also used just her FINGERS as a brush as well!
Such an inspiring session.
Raissa's Tips on Avoiding Burn-out and Looking After Your Mental Health
Take some time away from social media.
Go outside.
Pet a cat.
Listen to music.
Do something that your inner child has not done in a while.
Humor. Raissa follows comedian podcasts.
Paint for yourself, not for social media.
