Limitations led me to doing a computer upgrade recently. The older one used for cartooning began showing it’s age and the limitations became quite noticeable. For about two years I knew an upgrade was needed. Anxiety set in the longer I used the out dated model. Also, I can’t remember the last time I had to figure out what a computer upgrade entailed. What is ram? What kind of graphics card do I need? I’m sorry, who’s motherboard? The previous computer was a gift. I was just glad to have something that would consistently turn on let alone pursue cartooning with. Thoughts about ram, storage and graphics were beyond anything I wanted to deal with.
Retreat!
So I retreated into the old hardware that was familiar and comfortable. It became an excuse to put out fewer cartoons and blogs. To continually kick the can down the road. Month after month the lack of response and slowing performance of the old hardware screamed at me louder to upgrade. New ideas to draw developed that continued to build up in various folders. I kept saying I’ll get to those soon enough. Eventually the limitations were enough to push me into action. But I was scared knowing every page access, password and software I used had to be reinstalled on the new computer. Once I finally did the upgrade, though, and got everything set up I noticed an immediate improvement over the work I could produce. It felt like I was drawing with one hand tied behind my back and now I was free to stretch and grow again.
Inspiration
One big driving force and the inspiration to finally push me toward the upgrade was listening to the podcast Comic Lab. I’ve mentioned them before as a large influence in staying motivated. Thanks to the comic wisdom and humor of Brad Guigar and Dave Kellet I felt comfortable enough to tread into new computer territory. Hearing them explain their drawing process and personal struggles in all aspects of cartooning let me know I’m not alone in these feelings. Back to the limitations, another issue I ran into was not having the same software I had become used to. After much pacing over thoughts of pricy art software I’d have to buy, I came across an open source art program called Krita. Even though it was free, I never look forward to learning new software. But oh, what a life saver Krita has been.
Not so scary
What I’ve learned from this whole ordeal is it can be scary trying new things, going into uncharted territory. Also that it’s necessary if we want to grow and evolve at the things we strive to do. I had limitations on the old computer and I’ve lost some familiar tools I became accustomed to by switching to a newer model. But breaking away from old habits while learning new ones has helped me on the journey that is Dragin. I already see a difference in the comics. Can’t wait to share all the gags I’ve been hoarding.