A few months ago, I treated myself to an iPad Pro. I’d been wanting one for a couple of years because I really thought that the Pro, plus the Procreate app would really boost my creative options. Needless to say, I can’t believe I waited as long as I did to buy one. I’ve literally spent most of my spare time experimenting with all of its potential since I bought it. And now I’m already considering an upgrade to a bigger and more powerful unit!
Initially, I figured it would be extremely helpful with the development of my Oracle deck, which it is, but as previously mentioned, the possibilities are endless and I can see so much more that I can create. The background images that I was struggling with for the cards is now something I can create and merge into my original designs with ease. I've almost finished transferring my designs into Procreate and have decided to release my deck as a small, and very much "handmade" and limited release. Designs for a more elaborate deck have already begun, but when I started this original mandala deck a few years ago, I had no idea what to do. And I'm STILL figuring out what to do! But this journey has been incredible all the same. I've had so many road blocks, but now everything seems to be falling into place.
I've also been messing around with apps such as Amaziograph and iOrnament as well, and then editing things back in Procreate. It's incredible how I'm constantly inspired by learning so many new things and what potential my creativity has now. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy sketching in my art books, and nothing will ever replace the enjoyment of physically drawing with pen and paper, but it's amazing that I can now transfer my physical drawings into Procreate and digitally edit them in there.
Ok, so I know I sound crazy. I can hear you all screaming through your screens that Photoshop and Illustrator have been around for years. And yes, I've played around with them, but have never really grasped how to use them very well. I always just seem to learn what I need to know to get the job done, and not had the time to learn how to do the rest. Procreate seems to be a much easier interface for me to grasp and now I might actually be more inclined to learn a bit more Photoshop, now that I understand some of the terminology a little better.
So, when I SHOULD be focusing more on getting my Oracle deck actually completed, I find myself wanting to learn more and more techniques and trying new experiments. But by doing so, I see it all as new and exciting techniques to incorporate into my Oracle deck.
It's actually become a lot clearer over the last few months, that my creativity is the path I need to be focusing a lot more on. Aside from the Oracle deck, I have so many other creative plans and I'm actually really excited to get started on all of them. Currently, I have just listed a Wheel of the Year colouring page in my Etsy store. This is a page that you can add to your Book of Shadows or grimoire, or just print out as a super fun activity. I have created both Southern and Northern Hemisphere versions too! You can grab a colouring page here:
I'll leave you now with my last and most recent little Procreate experiment. It's my character from Animal crossing New Horizons. She took me a few nights to complete, but so much fun to create!
Isn't she cute?