I spent a few weeks in 2024 creating drawings of characters I had envisioned or allowed to emerge naturally during the process.
The results surprised me—I was genuinely impressed with what I could create. But after completing a handful, I stopped.
Why?
Did I feel overwhelmed by the effort? Perhaps I pushed too hard, too soon—trying to add backgrounds or turn them into fully realized paintings before I was ready.
Maybe that pressure drained the joy out of it and left me hesitant to continue.
Looking back, I see now that it’s okay to pause when things feel heavy.
But here’s the thing: those creations were good. They reminded me of what I’m capable of when I let myself explore without judgment.
So, if you’re reading this in 2025, don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Pick up that pencil or brush again. Start small if you need to—just sketch one character or doodle without a plan. The magic is in the process, not perfection.
Let’s step back into this together.
Stuartdraws 