Blog Post January 2018 by Wendy Dobing

Posted on January 08, 2018 at 3.17 PM

 New Year challenges

I prefer to set myself challenges for the new year instead of the usual clichéd resolutions: diets, the gym, no alcohol. They're some of the most common resolutions that people make for the new year and don't normally last beyond the middle of February.

For me the new year is about looking forwards, to use time over the year ahead as my friend and ally. I decided to use my time on a couple of areas: drawing and social media. They're both areas of my personal skillset that I think are currently weak.

So with regard to the drawing, I find myself admiring all different kinds of illustration, particularly via social media. My drawing and illustration skills feel awkward and need practice. I'd like to be able to enjoy developing them and then, in time, revealing a skill.

With social media I was spending too much time on Facebook and not enough time on Twitter and Instagram, both of which I enjoy a lot more. You can use social media in all different ways. I got more enjoyment using it like a magpie - I love looking at all the shiny imagery! It's a great way to keep up with different styles, thoughts and ideas and a good way to feel inspired. Not only that, Twitter and Instagram are much more global. Facebook is more of a personal and private platform anyway.

With this in mind I set myself a project about The Year Of The Dog. Draw it, tweet it on Twitter, post it on Instagram. No specific instructions, just stick to that theme and see what happens!

Whilst I'm doing this I'm also going to be tweeting and posting more of my photography. I aim to post something, be it illustration or photo, every day.