Shelfies

Sketchbook project and Micro-lesson on environment design.

Hi I’m Adam Ming this is the free Ten Minute Artist newsletter, where every week I give you a sketchbook project.

The projects are designed to be done over the week as a series of 10 minute sessions. At Ten Minute Artist we believe that a personal practice of sketching for 10 minutes a day, has a profound impact to your growth as an artist at every level.

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Before that, allow me to share a book I illustrated that got published this week:

This is the second instalment in a series, the first being: Does a Monkey Get Grumpy

Learn all about the incredible daily routines of animals in this bright, fact-packed sequel to Does a Monkey Get Grumpy?

Did you know that some crabs get dressed? Or that young meerkats have to go to 'school'? Or that sloths have very particular pooping habits?

From brave plover birds who clean crocodile teeth, to orangutans who make cosy treetop beds, animals have the most fascinating routines - just like us! Whether they're keeping clean or using tools to catch their dinner, explore the daily habitats of 15 animals across the planet - including sloths, meerkats, alpacas, wolves, foxes, crabs and more.

With bouncy rhythmic text and fascinating facts, this book will help children identify daily activities, while teaching them how very similar the lives of humans and animals really are.

If you’re looking for a way to support my work, consider picking up a copy for a kid in your life, your school or your library!

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And now on to this week’s sketchbook project.

The theme for the week is Shelfies, that is sketches of your shelves or parts of your house, shelves are collections and arrangement of your things, sometimes carefully crafted, other times accidentally revealing.

Throughout the week, draw a section of a shelf in your space and write a short caption. (It’s also okay to arrange different objects onto the same shelf throughout the week.

Her’s some inspirations from “Nina: a story of Nina Simone | Traci N. Todd & Christian Robinson”

Maybe this will inspire you to re organize your space, or pick up a new indoor plant. You can share your sketches in this week’s Gallery.

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Inspiration an Microlesson

The inspiration for this week’s project came from me removing my desk form the studio.

That’s right, I no longer have a desk in my studio, instead I use various nooks in a book shelf I have to write and illustrate. Either standing or sitting on an ikea stool.

It’s impossible to get comfortable for long so I move a lot.

And that is largely the point. Instead of being a brain attached to a desk, I sit and stand and interchange my position as I work. The vibe I get from working, is similar to what you might get from working in a cafe or an airport. But it also feels like working on a large canvas or sculpture.

My whole 6x8 foot shelf works as a large canvas.

You’ve heard of standing desk? I give you vertical desk.

I place my shelf in front of a window, which allows me to look out at the greenery which includes views of a tree where a family of eagles live.

I’ll tell you more with sketches throughout the week. See you in the gallery?

For years I’ve watched architecture and interior design videos, and the ideas have inspired me to be creative with my small studio space.

I also have a counter on wheels that I used when I’m recording videos or working with my hands on larger pieces with paint ink and collage.

I guess the lesson is that shaping your environment can have a huge impact on your work and habits. I would suggest that out actions are more influenced than our environment than any other factor, and we have the power to shape that.

You can start small, by shaping a shelf.

Have a great week!

PS:

This week I sent out my illustration dispatch about maintaining a portfolio. After talking to my agent, I’ve added additional notes at the bottom that might help you if you are looking to update your portfolio based on current demand.