Thanks for sharing Helen, it’s so interesting to read how you balance everything. I like to start work early too, I keep weekends clear as long as I’m not closing in on a deadline. I found I felt guilty if I wasn’t pushing myself to work into the evening so I started knitting. It means my hands are busy while I veg out in front of the telly so I don’t feel bad about not drawing, and I have something to show for those hours with my feet up! I call it ‘relaxing productivity’ 🤣
I find it hard to sit doing nothing too. If I’m not careful I will write a newsletter while I watch telly. I have to be strict with myself not to accidentally start doing some other type of work in the evening. ‘Relaxing productivity’ I like that!
Hey Helen, loved this, thanks! it was perfect timing for me, as I am currently trying to carve out a routine while I work on my first ever illustration projects (two books at once, which makes it quite a challenge!) I’m trying to find a way that means I get the work done, but with a semblance of sanity and so I don’t burn out. I also want to enjoy it! Do you have any tips for how to not get overwhelmed by projects? I can find myself looking ahead to all the work I have to do and it feels pretty intimidating. My routine is similar to yours, but I’m more of an owl, so I wake later and work later. Sorry for the long message! Loved reading your routine! Ella xx
Two books at once, you are on fire! I always get an A4 sheet of paper and make thumbnails of each spread, and as I finish each spread I colour that thumbnail in. It gives me a sense of achievement and keeps me crawling forward. It feels like such a mountain at the beginning doesn’t it? Also I talk to myself like a toddler, ‘If you work hard for an hour you are allowed an extra hot chocolate today Helen.’ That works well on me 😆
Hi Helen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have, give or take, the same timetable than you. Getting up very early, doing 20-30 minutes of exercise. I finish around 4pm when my boys come back from school. I share a studio with other 4 artists so it's like going to the office everyday.
I use a bullet journal to organise my time. Nothing fancy and colourful, just a grid with days and hours.
I divide my time in slots of 2 hours with breaks in between. I bring with me homemade food in a flask to keep it warm. I'm now struggling with the post-publication depression but I'll be fine. X
That sounds like my ideal work day. Especially the homemade food in a flask!
Yes dividing your time into two hour slots is a great idea. I do similar. I talk to myself like a toddler, ‘come on Helen, do an hour of hard work now and then you can have a walk with Peggy’ 😂
It's very tempting to work flat out when freelancing. I use to but have stopped now. I burned out and don't want to loose the love for my illustration again.
These days I don't work weekends and often grab a cheeky day off in the week if I'm not near the end of a book project. Otherwise the quality of my work suffers. Its more productive to stop and step back and go out.
Hats off to anyone juggling freelance life and a family. It's not easy and I relied a lot on family to help when my kids were young.
Healthy time away from work desks leaves room in our brains for new ideas to pop into them!
Thanks Helen for sharing your routine..its always interesting to read how other illustrators work.
Couldn’t agree more, overworking is awful, it stops us enjoying what we do, and taking breaks makes the work better. Yes hats off to those with babies and toddlers, it’s not easy juggling everything!
This is what I’m struggling with, our toddler often ends up in our bed in the night so he wakes when I do, no matter how early I try and wake up. Juggling work to pay the bills part time, little man, household drudgery and illustration has left me a bit burnt out and out of love with drawing. I used to be on the go all the time and always scribbling but it’s not easy these days.
Oh blimey that sounds hard. I remember those days when Pie was small too. Hang in there, it won’t last forever. He will be 14 and cooking for you before you know it!
I shouldn’t moan, it took us so long to find him. Just keeping all the plates spinning is tricky! At the rate he is growing up he’ll be 14 and taller than me by next week!
I love hearing about other peoples daily routines, thank you for sharing Helen!
Very impressed with your commitment to JW workouts! If my husband did them with me I may have continued, having a workout buddy can help with motivation. Hot chocolate for breakfast is inspired! Any particular recipe for this? I'm guessing not the cadburys powdered stuff?
I can really relate to your experience of working life before and after children, I used to work every waking hour before having my son (similar age to you, I was 35). A combination of some bad 'burn out' experiences and realising the damage overwork does to our bodies has helped me strike a better work/life balance. I'm into my 40's now and don't want to miss out on family time and precious life moments, proper time off is so important, and makes me a better artist/mum/person!
Hot chocolate recipe: 2 chunks of Hasslacher’s Hot Chocolate, one cup of milk (I like a mix of cows and almond) and one teaspoon of sugar/ agave syrup. DELICIOUS!
Yes, without Gerry pressing play on JW and making me feel obliged, I don’t think I would do it myself 😂
Hi Helen, I love hearing about other people's daily schedules. It's something I never ever feel I get on top of myself and even when I have a 'good schedule' day (start early, tick things off a list, stop for lunch etc) I never manage to maintain it! The other day I tried asking ChatGPT to create a daily schedule for a "self employed illustrator with a dog" and was actually pleasantly surprised with the results - though the bot suggested the dog get walked about 5+ times a day, which my dogs would have protested at :-))) Overall, I'm better at scheduling the closer to a deadline I get, as I just don't have time to faff about then (though I still manage it a bit)
I feel as if I might have painted a false picture that I strictly stick to this schedule, NO! Today the sun is out, so after a wee bit of early morning working, I am in the garden laying paving slabs. Easily distracted!
Oh imagine walking the dog 5 times a day! I would never get anything done, plus Peggy would have to be dragged 😂
It's so exciting to read about other illustrators' schedules! And as you, I started to distinguish between work hours and life hours when my first kid was born. When they are small, you never know when your working hour will come though -- when the baby sleeps her day nap I seem to do things even more intensively than usual. And I have also learned how to tell the clients I have vacation.
Helen! It’s so nice to hear about your schedule- I work all the hours, but realised about 6 months ago that it wasn’t sustainable. I’m still trying to work out what hours are reasonable and how to actually protect my life life from my monstrous work life!!
Sometimes I’m worried I’ll miss out on opportunities or my work won’t improve if I don’t work all hours! Ahhh the life of an independent artist…
It's always interesting to hear other artists' schedules - I'm very similar to you! Always been a morning person, I'm at my best when I get up early and work straight away and I'm finished by mid-afternoon 😊 as soon as I stop for lunch, I know I've only got an hour or two left in me before my mind goes 🤣
I’m a wife, mom, and I teach high school chemistry full time. Art time has to be squeezed in where I can. I get up at 5 am each day before the family and work for an hour. Get ready, start breakfast, wake the teens and head to work. I usually take a sheet book with me to work in during lunch or my planning hour. Then I might stop on the way home and do a bit of sketching. After dinner I try to do a little more sketching. Weekends are when I have big blocks of time.
I love this! I hear you. Although I still have my desk next to my bed 😅 But the juggle isn’t easy. I definitely need to stop watching Netflix late into the night and get up earlier. 👍
I listened to the podcast you shared. I found it amusing and insightful. In 2008, I was on my second trip to Europe from America. Part of that trip was the northern coast of France where we stopped at the American Cemetery for American soldiers. there was a British woman among our traveling bus with all other nationalities, and she was very upset that we were stopping at the American cemetery. I couldn’t understand why she was so upset at the stop. In the years since that trip, I have begin to understand. I did a little bit then because the other nationalities were talking about how the Americans see themselves and I’ve never heard that before. Now, when there is a event in the world, I go to other new news media outside America to get the story. I feel it’s the only way I will get the whole story and not just the American viewpoint. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing - my ability to stick to a schedule at the minute is nonexistent 😩 I think I’m probably a bit burned out. This post has come at a really good time though as I’m currently trying to work out how to carve a life with much more illustration when I leave my current job in the Autumn.
Ah thanks! I really understand what you say about not giving yourself a break and then not being able to work. I definitely have periods of intense work especially around deadlines. Even if I don't work long hours it is exhausting. And afterwards I need some time off, or at least a change of scene for a few days to reboot.
Try the workout, I do it in my pj’s with a bra underneath 😂
Thanks for sharing Helen, it’s so interesting to read how you balance everything. I like to start work early too, I keep weekends clear as long as I’m not closing in on a deadline. I found I felt guilty if I wasn’t pushing myself to work into the evening so I started knitting. It means my hands are busy while I veg out in front of the telly so I don’t feel bad about not drawing, and I have something to show for those hours with my feet up! I call it ‘relaxing productivity’ 🤣
I find it hard to sit doing nothing too. If I’m not careful I will write a newsletter while I watch telly. I have to be strict with myself not to accidentally start doing some other type of work in the evening. ‘Relaxing productivity’ I like that!
Hey Helen, loved this, thanks! it was perfect timing for me, as I am currently trying to carve out a routine while I work on my first ever illustration projects (two books at once, which makes it quite a challenge!) I’m trying to find a way that means I get the work done, but with a semblance of sanity and so I don’t burn out. I also want to enjoy it! Do you have any tips for how to not get overwhelmed by projects? I can find myself looking ahead to all the work I have to do and it feels pretty intimidating. My routine is similar to yours, but I’m more of an owl, so I wake later and work later. Sorry for the long message! Loved reading your routine! Ella xx
Two books at once, you are on fire! I always get an A4 sheet of paper and make thumbnails of each spread, and as I finish each spread I colour that thumbnail in. It gives me a sense of achievement and keeps me crawling forward. It feels like such a mountain at the beginning doesn’t it? Also I talk to myself like a toddler, ‘If you work hard for an hour you are allowed an extra hot chocolate today Helen.’ That works well on me 😆
Ooh, thanks for those tips! I will print out my thumbnails and pin them up!
And I don’t use rewards enough - I like that plan! Thanks Helen 🥰 xx
I like the idea of colouring in each one as you complete them - so much more satisfying than a tick!
Congratulations 🥳
Hi Helen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have, give or take, the same timetable than you. Getting up very early, doing 20-30 minutes of exercise. I finish around 4pm when my boys come back from school. I share a studio with other 4 artists so it's like going to the office everyday.
I use a bullet journal to organise my time. Nothing fancy and colourful, just a grid with days and hours.
I divide my time in slots of 2 hours with breaks in between. I bring with me homemade food in a flask to keep it warm. I'm now struggling with the post-publication depression but I'll be fine. X
That sounds like my ideal work day. Especially the homemade food in a flask!
Yes dividing your time into two hour slots is a great idea. I do similar. I talk to myself like a toddler, ‘come on Helen, do an hour of hard work now and then you can have a walk with Peggy’ 😂
It's very tempting to work flat out when freelancing. I use to but have stopped now. I burned out and don't want to loose the love for my illustration again.
These days I don't work weekends and often grab a cheeky day off in the week if I'm not near the end of a book project. Otherwise the quality of my work suffers. Its more productive to stop and step back and go out.
Hats off to anyone juggling freelance life and a family. It's not easy and I relied a lot on family to help when my kids were young.
Healthy time away from work desks leaves room in our brains for new ideas to pop into them!
Thanks Helen for sharing your routine..its always interesting to read how other illustrators work.
Couldn’t agree more, overworking is awful, it stops us enjoying what we do, and taking breaks makes the work better. Yes hats off to those with babies and toddlers, it’s not easy juggling everything!
This is what I’m struggling with, our toddler often ends up in our bed in the night so he wakes when I do, no matter how early I try and wake up. Juggling work to pay the bills part time, little man, household drudgery and illustration has left me a bit burnt out and out of love with drawing. I used to be on the go all the time and always scribbling but it’s not easy these days.
Oh blimey that sounds hard. I remember those days when Pie was small too. Hang in there, it won’t last forever. He will be 14 and cooking for you before you know it!
I shouldn’t moan, it took us so long to find him. Just keeping all the plates spinning is tricky! At the rate he is growing up he’ll be 14 and taller than me by next week!
I love hearing about other peoples daily routines, thank you for sharing Helen!
Very impressed with your commitment to JW workouts! If my husband did them with me I may have continued, having a workout buddy can help with motivation. Hot chocolate for breakfast is inspired! Any particular recipe for this? I'm guessing not the cadburys powdered stuff?
I can really relate to your experience of working life before and after children, I used to work every waking hour before having my son (similar age to you, I was 35). A combination of some bad 'burn out' experiences and realising the damage overwork does to our bodies has helped me strike a better work/life balance. I'm into my 40's now and don't want to miss out on family time and precious life moments, proper time off is so important, and makes me a better artist/mum/person!
Hot chocolate recipe: 2 chunks of Hasslacher’s Hot Chocolate, one cup of milk (I like a mix of cows and almond) and one teaspoon of sugar/ agave syrup. DELICIOUS!
Yes, without Gerry pressing play on JW and making me feel obliged, I don’t think I would do it myself 😂
Ooh, thanks! Not heard of Hasslacher's Hot Chocolate, will seek it out!
Ahh, well done Gerry! Maybe he should take up a second job as a bootcamp instructor! 😆
Honestly, he’d be good at that! 😂
Hi Helen, I love hearing about other people's daily schedules. It's something I never ever feel I get on top of myself and even when I have a 'good schedule' day (start early, tick things off a list, stop for lunch etc) I never manage to maintain it! The other day I tried asking ChatGPT to create a daily schedule for a "self employed illustrator with a dog" and was actually pleasantly surprised with the results - though the bot suggested the dog get walked about 5+ times a day, which my dogs would have protested at :-))) Overall, I'm better at scheduling the closer to a deadline I get, as I just don't have time to faff about then (though I still manage it a bit)
I feel as if I might have painted a false picture that I strictly stick to this schedule, NO! Today the sun is out, so after a wee bit of early morning working, I am in the garden laying paving slabs. Easily distracted!
Oh imagine walking the dog 5 times a day! I would never get anything done, plus Peggy would have to be dragged 😂
It's so exciting to read about other illustrators' schedules! And as you, I started to distinguish between work hours and life hours when my first kid was born. When they are small, you never know when your working hour will come though -- when the baby sleeps her day nap I seem to do things even more intensively than usual. And I have also learned how to tell the clients I have vacation.
Yes I always hoped to work in nap times too, but I was so exhausted I usually slept myself! I look back now and have no idea how I did anything!
Yes agreed, being clear about your boundaries (holidays) with clients is a game changer!
Helen! It’s so nice to hear about your schedule- I work all the hours, but realised about 6 months ago that it wasn’t sustainable. I’m still trying to work out what hours are reasonable and how to actually protect my life life from my monstrous work life!!
Sometimes I’m worried I’ll miss out on opportunities or my work won’t improve if I don’t work all hours! Ahhh the life of an independent artist…
Oh very relatable, it is so hard to say no isn’t it. Especially when you are starting out or trying to grow your business.
It's always interesting to hear other artists' schedules - I'm very similar to you! Always been a morning person, I'm at my best when I get up early and work straight away and I'm finished by mid-afternoon 😊 as soon as I stop for lunch, I know I've only got an hour or two left in me before my mind goes 🤣
Yes! That’s the same as me. Larks rule!
Dear Helen, I love your posts. I hear them in your voice as I read them and it makes them even better! Thank you
Oh thank you, I am so happy you enjoy them 😚
I’m a wife, mom, and I teach high school chemistry full time. Art time has to be squeezed in where I can. I get up at 5 am each day before the family and work for an hour. Get ready, start breakfast, wake the teens and head to work. I usually take a sheet book with me to work in during lunch or my planning hour. Then I might stop on the way home and do a bit of sketching. After dinner I try to do a little more sketching. Weekends are when I have big blocks of time.
Wow, I am very impressed, you have a busy schedule! Amazing to fit in some sketchbooking time too, you are a power to be reckoned with!
I don’t know that I’m that impressive. I’m just determined to improve my skills and daily creating is the key. Plus it improves my mood. Lol
😍
I love this! I hear you. Although I still have my desk next to my bed 😅 But the juggle isn’t easy. I definitely need to stop watching Netflix late into the night and get up earlier. 👍
Oh but lovely Netflix, it is hypnotising 😵💫
I listened to the podcast you shared. I found it amusing and insightful. In 2008, I was on my second trip to Europe from America. Part of that trip was the northern coast of France where we stopped at the American Cemetery for American soldiers. there was a British woman among our traveling bus with all other nationalities, and she was very upset that we were stopping at the American cemetery. I couldn’t understand why she was so upset at the stop. In the years since that trip, I have begin to understand. I did a little bit then because the other nationalities were talking about how the Americans see themselves and I’ve never heard that before. Now, when there is a event in the world, I go to other new news media outside America to get the story. I feel it’s the only way I will get the whole story and not just the American viewpoint. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing - my ability to stick to a schedule at the minute is nonexistent 😩 I think I’m probably a bit burned out. This post has come at a really good time though as I’m currently trying to work out how to carve a life with much more illustration when I leave my current job in the Autumn.
Ah thanks! I really understand what you say about not giving yourself a break and then not being able to work. I definitely have periods of intense work especially around deadlines. Even if I don't work long hours it is exhausting. And afterwards I need some time off, or at least a change of scene for a few days to reboot.
Try the workout, I do it in my pj’s with a bra underneath 😂
I've been known to do similar but with my bra on top of my pjs 😳
Excellent. I like your style.
Gotta keep things decent 😂