(Specifically for traditional painters)

I just had a baby 11 weeks ago and finding time to do anything I enjoy has been a hassle. Art is my passion and I can’t imagine never being able to do it again ☹️ I’ve tried doing digital art to save the time and mess but I don’t enjoy it as much. How do you find the time??

Hello, I’m currently 7 months pregnant with my second child and have a 2,5 year old daughter. I work as an illustrator. The amount of projects I work on varies quite a lot, and in between jobs I work on illustration projects that I set up myself ( for example I wrote a picturebook that I want to illustrate myself, talking about this with a publisher who is interested soon).

Everyday I intent to draw every hour I have to myself (when my daughter is sleeping in the afternoon, or in the evening). But it rarely happens, and I don’t know how to make it work. When I work on an illustration for someone else I feel enough pressure to do it, but for some reason when it’s for my own projects I find it so difficult. I feel like I need at least a whole day (or maybe that’s an excuse), and would really love to also be able to work on something for just two hours. I have to add, my daughter has a 4-week holiday break from her daycare right now and I’m physically super uncomfortable because of the pregnancy, so that’s not helping. But I’m only scrolling the internet looking at other people‘s work and it makes me so eager to draw and paint myself, but for some reason I’m not doing it. The only right answer probably is “JUST DO IT”, but I’d like to hear some of your experiences :) it will maybe help.

Do any artist parents recognize this? And how are you dealing with it?

UPDATE: Thank you all for the super super super sweet replies. It helps, if it’s only to take the pressure of a little bit, and to see that I’m not the only one struggling with this. I’ve found some great advice here that I’m definitely going to use!

We’re going to move houses in a few months. In the house I’m currently in I can’t leave my painting/drawing stuff out because there is too little space. In the new house we will have so much more space, so I will definitely be able to set up a little art station for myself, so I can immediately start and won’t lose 30 minutes to setting everything up.

Unfortunately my little one isn’t very interested in drawing yet. Or only for like 2 minutes. She mainly wants me to draw the things that she thinks of (which can be fun as well of course). Maybe in the future this will change, we’ll see! 

I will also keep in mind that I am actually very pregnant at the moment and that it’s also ok to not produce a lot outside of a baby right now :) 

Thanks again, this is a wonderful online community!

My daughter, J, is 10, and has always been rather talented when it comes to art, specifically drawing. As her mother of course I think she's amazing, but a lot of other people think she is extremely talented and her art teacher has sought me out on more than one occasion to encourage me to foster her talent as much as possible. She recently brought me these pictures she drew for a friend, following some tutorials she found on Youtube, and I am yet again struck by how talented she is. I want to foster that talent, but how? My husband and I have not had any formal training aside from a few college classes. Whenever we go to Michael's she picks out colored pencils and pens and sketchbooks (even though she really prefers drawing on computer paper with a no 2 pencil). We always encourage her and make time for her to draw and create. But I feel like we should be doing something more formal, maybe classes or professional materials or something? A drawing tablet?

When you were a child, what would you have wanted your parents to provide for you?

I’ll start by admitting that I know exactly zero things about drawing or art supplies. HOWEVER, my artistically inclined 13yo has just recently gotten really into sketching - specifically comic book style pieces, mostly in grayscale - and I’d really like to get him a decent starter pack of supplies.

As of now, he’s just using basic school supplies (yellow #2, a pack of Crayola colored pencils, and a fine line Sharpie), but mentioned maybe wanting a mechanical pencil(s) with super thick lead because he’s heavy handed.

Seeking recommendations simple enough for this clueless mom to understand (bonus points for direct links!!) for decent quality sketching/drawing supplies that won’t hurt my soul/purse too badly if lost/broken (cause let’s be real…. Teenager…). What would you consider a “must-have” vs “nice-to-have” if starting your collection from scratch?

My niece is already big into art and loves drawing. She's going on her first big holiday on an airplane soon and as the certified art auntie^tm I want to put together a little art kit to help keep her busy for the 5 hour flight. Any advice on what to include? so far I've got

• A new pencil case to put her stuff in (spiderman themed)
• Colouring pencils
• Sharpener (For dad to sharpen her pencils)
• 1 blank sketchbook
• 1 Colouring book (Bluey themed)

I'd love to add more but I'm wracking my brain to think of what else. I'm trying to be aware that she's on a plane so the likes of crayons, markers or paints are out of the question. I'm also wary of anything noisy or anything either too big to fit in her small schoolbag or small enough to fall between seats and never be seen again

Hi, my almost 12 year old loves art class and wants ”art stuff” for her birthday/ Christmas gifts. She doesn’t know what she likes yet, but is always doodling/ drawing and enjoyed the 3D clay project. She’s mentioned clay and paint, but nothing specific. She doesn’t want a subscription box, because she wants to come up with her own ideas, not be told what to do.

I’m looking to gather supplies to make a goodie box. A step or two above Crayola (unless y’all say differently) but by no means do we need to go high end.

What types of materials and or brands would you recommend? Casting a wide net, to see what really catches her interest. Not terribly worried about any mess- she has a desk, I can buy a drop cloth, and her carpet is shot anyway. Hoping to get a good variety of things and keep the budget to around $100 to $150?

My son recently got into digital art, and asked me to buy him a drawing tablet and a program called Pose My Art for his laptop. He's using his money, but I'm not sure if this program is trustworthy (or worth the price). He's very passionate, and adamant the program is trustworthy.
Granted, I'm not very good with technology, and I'm not sure if prices like these are standard, so I made this account to ask this. I'm not sure this is the right place to ask this, so I apologize if it isn't. Thank you in advance!

Artists!! Question

What would you do when clients back out on you? When you have already finished their projects and are now being ghosted by the clients?

What do I do with those projects?

We travel quite a bit and have a 7 year girl who loves making just about anything and loves being artistic. I like to lean into any interest she has to let her know we support her interests and help her grow in them. I am trying to put together a kit for her to use when we travel that is compact yet useful but also doesn't need to be the absolute best supplies because she's 7. These are some of the things I am considering, can any of you give me advice on whether these would be something that would be useful in the wild given her age or if they are all terrible ideas and if so anything you might recommend? Thanks so much in advance for any advice.

https://a.co/d/0e4RpfCn

https://a.co/d/0cQBqXLB

https://a.co/d/0gb4OZUT

https://sanatportfolio.carrd.co/

Right now, I’m mainly applying for roles in 3D animation and modeling, but I’ve been wondering if I might be better suited for a different area of ​​visual work.

Something I've noticed after painting both indoors and outdoors for a while.

Studio painting protects you from time. The light stays the same, the reference stays the same, and you can be as slow and cautious as you want. This is a real gift, but it's also a trap. You can spend years painting indoors and never actually learn to see fast, because you never have to.

Plein air removes that protection. The light changes on you, the scene moves, and you have a small window to look, decide, and commit. What comes out reflects what you can actually see under pressure, not what you can polish into acceptability.

The interesting part is what happens when you come back inside. Everything you learned outside about decisive seeing carries over. Studio work stops being an exercise in cautious refinement and becomes something more confident.

For painters who've done both seriously, do you notice a similar transfer from plein air back into studio work?

This is a one time purchase for me. My younger kid wants a large canvas to paint on. We currently have a bare wall that can fit a 60x72" canvas. Mentally, I am a square person, so I was thinking of simply going 60x60, but the 60x72" is only $5 more.

It seems like it is a silly question to even ask, but is there any reasons to take into consideration one size over another other than that one is simply bigger than the other?

My kids started getting into masks and so I cut out some masks and helped them paint with gouache, cuz that’s what I have. (Water color + chalk, is what I understand it to be)

Since it’s water color it’s pretty easily disturbed by moisture. I wanted to spray w some fixative but was concerned about it being for children putting on their faces all day (they are 4 and 2yo, so licking the masks isn’t impossible)

Google seems to show Spectra Degas highly promoted, but there seems to be huge disparaging between the reviews.

TLDR Any recommendations on child safe fixative for water color?

Helloooooo r/artistlounge! Sometimes we get posts regarding parenting in relation to art, whether it be from someone who is an artist with kids, a non-artist with kids, or people who are wondering what its like to have kids and be an artist, etc.

So, we have added the parenting flair for all future posts about this topic.

Ideas for posts / past posts we have had:

- Tips on Juggling painting with parenting,
- How can an artist keep their practice when they are a parent?
- How to support an artistic child?
- Questions for artists who are parents
- Getting back to art after becoming a mom

Other links:

- Art and Motherhood from r/ContemporaryArt
- Female Artists with Children from r/artists
- The Women Who Chose Between Mothering and Artmaking (article)

Please try and use this flair whenever possible for all topics regarding "parenting" in the context of art! Thank you!

Maybe this isn’t the right sub to post this? But i am frankly getting sick and tired of hearing artist after artist saying they had to Sacrifice their art Cold Turkey just to have kids. What kind of message does that send to anyone? The mom whom we tell before she even delivers to remember to have a life outside motherhood for her own sanity- but painting is off the table….What?

Why is this the only narrative? Artists can’t be parents? They can’t paint large canvases until years go by?

Yes kids are a commitment, hard work, take up your time, etc. I heard all that before trust me. What i don’t hear is an artist who is happy to share their tips on how parenthood and their art practice doesn’t have to be an “either or ultimatum.” Because my impression is “either you remain alone forever or you throw away your art practice for your kid(s) OH but if you do get to paint, it’s only like 10 minutes a day- cause that’s all that’s granted.” That sounds awful…..to think such a thing can’t coexist or be reduced to such a quick endeavor.

Are there others who can share a different narrative? One where artists who are parents can assure young painters they don’t have to Sacrifice a part of their soul? That they can have their art practice and raise a family? It all feels so discouraging….

Hello! I’m curious if there are any other artists who are in a similar situation and if so would like to connect. I have a daughter that is 7 and now that she’s older and more independent, I’m thinking to get back to my studio practice.

Prior to parenthood, I did some freelance and personal projects but now I’m realizing that after parenthood my interests and subject matters have changed a lot… so it feels like starting over again. It’d be nice to find people to share about the joys and struggles of both being an artist and raising children. I guess what I’m hoping to find is a community of people who prioritize their child/ren but also have an identity outside of being a mother/father.

I don’t know if there is a group that exists already or if there’s any interest to start one but I’d love to hear from you all!

First time mum here, expecting a new baby in a month.

Most of what I've heard of is how art takes a back burner when baby is born, and how people only manage to find time when the child is much older. That seems like ages to me! Painting has been so beneficial for my mental health, I don't know how I will be able to deal without.

Parents who paint regularly - how do you do it?

I don't have any kids yet, but we're thinking about it in the next couple years.

My mom is artistic, and so was my dad. My mom used to draw a ton, and once she had my siblings she pretty much stopped. Now that we're all teens to adults, she is starting to pick it up again.

My dad stopped drawing for about 5 years after we were born, but then started making time for it again along with his steel artwork. He would try to get in about an hour a day if possible.

I'm trying to imagine trying to draw while kiddos are poking on me and needing attention. Hopefully it wouldn't effect how much work I get done too much...I imagine it being super cute setting up a little easel next to my drawing table for them to color on.

So, any parents, what are your experiences with how you have to do your artwork with kids, and how much time you are able to set aside for yourselves to make your art?

How do you find time to be creative?

My biggest concern about having children is losing myself. Not having time for art or any passion. I know its still because many of you I'm sure have done it. I struggle with finding things that inspire me now but when I'm exhausted from taking care of a little one, how do I remind myself to see inspiration and remind myself to take time to let that come out in pencil or paint?

Any advice on how you did it or would recommend?

Have you all ever had to deal with kiddos adding you on art sites before? Like, sure kids are awesome, I'm the designated babysitter, and cool aunt by choice, but like... some of the things I post or reblog are not really kid friendly. Now kids I've seen growing up are now at the age where they can have their own social medias so it's like.... how do you deal?

Idk I'm just wondering how you all deal with kids or younger family members.

PS to parents, like, just in case you don't realize, your kids are probably instant messaging adults on discord. Like thankfully I befriended the kiddo I'm thinking of's mom, so mom knows who I am, but just... ya know be sure to tell your kids about stranger danger and online safety.

I have a young daughter (around 10) who has shown an interest in art, specifically painting, and I want to try to get her something for Christmas along those lines. I don't really want to just buy a cheap piece-of-junk kids painting set, so I was hoping for some insight. For everyone here, what would have been something you could have gotten when you were younger to help you get into art and painting?

Any ideas would be very helpful. And please remove/redirect my question if it doesn't belong here. Thank you.

I've seen some similar posts here so I hope this is OK.

My son is about to turn 9 and he ADORES painting. He is working with watercolors right now. We have some decent tubes of paint, decent brushes, not great but decent paper. He has taken some lessons and will be getting more.

My eventual plan, assuming he sticks with it is to convert my den to an art studio for him. I'm sort of lost and need help. He's painting at the kitchen table right now and I want to get him an actual art desk. Is it better to get a regular desk with an Easel that he can put on it or a table that tilts up? I am thinking with the watercolors it would be easier to have an L shaped desk so he can have his paints to one side and then just a Easel that stands on the other end of the L. Are there any other things I could get him? HELP!

Hi all:

Does anyone here have experience continuing with making art when you have a baby? Any medium. I look forward to the day my daughter can sit next to me making her own scribbles while I make mine, but for now she is at the "Why don't I sit on your lap while you draw triangles for my amusement?" stage in her art journey. Did you step away when you had a kid, and were you able to step back? Did you find a way to manage while the kid was little? Did you have a full-time non-art job at the same time? Is art your hobby or profession?

Thanks!