Sometimes things work out exactly how you’re expecting…and sometimes they don’t. I wanted to try out the gel plate with some sticker paper that I’ve got; and it just was not working the way I wanted to—so I needed to pivot a bit to make today’s page.
I’ll figure out the sticker paper stuff another day—this one was definitely too glossy and didn’t have any tooth in it to pick up the paint on the page. I also think it was a mistake to use the sharpie creative markers on the gel plate first, since they dry super quickly.
Next time I’ll try different paper, and I’ll skip the sharpie markers on the plate—I can always use them on the paper after I’ve finished pulling off the print from the gel plate.
You live and you learn.
Technique of the Day
I needed to pivot; so I grabbed some vellum paper that I’ve got on my desk and went to grab some kind of stencil that I could play with. I used the paint I already had on my desk, and just got something down real quick.
This is what Daily Pages is all about—trying stuff out, and getting some experience in pivoting when things don’t exactly work out as planned.
It’s one reason why I like to give myself a little bit of buffer time in my creative routine. Even though I give myself a good half hour to get into it, make something, and tidy up—I don’t ever want to be trying to make something that takes 30 minutes of full focus time; because I just don’t have that. Those 30 minutes are not full focus time; so I need to be realistic with myself and the time constraints that I do have.
This way, when I realize 10-15 minutes into the session that things aren’t going to work out; I’ve still got enough time to change it up and make something else. This is also why it’s super important that your minimum acceptable level of success is low; so that when things don’t go to plan—you can make something else and not feel like you messed up the whole day.
Supply List
Stencil — DIY
Paint: Blick
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Tips & Creative Wisdom
Minimum Viable Success = Sustainability
When your bar is “put something on the page,” it’s easy to feel accomplished—even if the plan changes midway. That’s what builds a long-term creative habit.
Pro Tip: Define your “good enough” ahead of time. That way, if everything goes sideways, you still end with a win.
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