Making time for NaMoPaiMo

Even without NaMoPaiMo, this would be a busy month. I'm doing well on the admin on blogging parts of the event, but when I think about making time for my own model... Well, it just feels impossible.

But is it really?

In today's guest post, Kirsten Eidsmoe discusses her strategies for painting when you're really busy. Thank you, Kirsten, I'm definitely moving my pony from the photo table downstairs to the shelf next to my computer!

Making Time For NaMoPaiMo

by Kirsten Eidsmoe

I'm happy and a little amazed to say I've made a good amount of progress on my fjord! I always think I need big blocks of free time in order to paint, but it's really just mental. If I've already been *thinking* about painting for a while, then I'm already in the zone. I can grab a few minutes here and there and get a lot done.

This morning before work, I took a few minutes to enhance some details and add another layer of shading. During a lunch break, I did a bit more. At this point, I already know what I need to do the next time I have a few minutes. But if I do get stuck, I'll put my model somewhere where I'll see him a lot - by my computer, or on a shelf above the piano. It's not really multi-tasking, but as I'm working on other things, I'll see my horse, notice what I like and don't like, and think through my options.

The last time I painted a model this size, it took me at least six months to finish, and I certainly don't have more time to paint this month than normal. But NaMoPaiMo keeps my mind focused on this project, and that makes all the difference.