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[Black Spartan]

So I run a crazy life - two matters that are very far apart as probably most of you find yourselves.

By day I am but a simple man, Thato Hermanus, working away in accounting and studying financial management.

By night, I am The Black Spartan - drawern of all things Polonius (wasn't that a Greek hero?)

Now, living this lifestyle it takes a lot to get inspired so I am going to start a thread where I will add on ways to get inspired as I go along. Bare with me and feel free to add onto it if you wish.

PLEASE DO NOT SPAM!!!!!

1) Read comics

How simple is that? We love comics, we draw comics and even watch movies BASED on comics - and yet we take such little time to actually READ comics.

I find that reading comics gets my mind into the psyche of an artist. If I read financial literature (which I love), I do not get inspired. When I read 'The Watchmen' and 'The Dark Knight Returns', I was amped and ready to go.

There's something about reading comics. It puts you in touch with that other side - that other world - from which all of our crazy ideas come from.

2) Art gallery

Take some time to go through some sort of gallery. Whether it's an online one like Deviantart or an ACTUAL gallery in your neck of the woods, just do it. You don't have to be an art expert who can analyse and critic every piece. Just go and enjoy it. Walk around, pointlessly and sample each piece.

Again, this will help that inner artist in you feel like they are welcomed - important. There is nothing worse than being in a neglected relationship. That artist in you needs just as much love and attention as a child would to nuture them to shine.

3) Browse a comic book store

Now this one is a hard one when it's 2 weeks away from pay day and your on your last R100.00 note. It's even harder if you have a credit card and an itchy hand. But just go. Like the art gallery, just walk around, see what's there, see the different art styles and even talk to some of the store attendants (some of them are such geeks they scare ME.)

4) Watch Animax and animated movies and series

I don't have DStv (woe-is-me) but have like 5 seasons of Justice League and am searching for the X-Men and Batman episodes. I also watch The Boondocks, Naruto and my recent favourite anime - Afro-Samurai.

It's both educational AND inspirational. It just gives you a story to work with.

5) Relax and breath easy [Courtesy of Nuts]

It's difficult to get inspired when you are stressed out. I suggest taking the time to relax and you'll be surprised how that clears the mind and inspires creativeness.

Easier said than done haha, so if I want to draw I tend to browse comic book catalogues for ideas.

Ask your local comic book store for free materials (adverts/promos) or old catalogues that you can purchase for cheap or maybe have free. Up to 500 pages of covers and previews in those catalogues.

6) The Artists' Way

This is a book by Julia Cameron that a friend of mine recommended to me. I've started it and started the exercises and I must say, my inspiration and passion has returned.

You can find the book at Exclusive Books so I presume it would also be available at any other established book store.

Check out The Artists Way to learn more about it. It's worth the trouble.

[Nuts]

It's difficult to get inspired when you are stressed out. I suggest taking the time to relax and you'll be surprised how that clears the mind and inspires creativeness.

Easier said than done haha, so if I want to draw I tend to browse comic book catalogues for ideas.

Ask your local comic book store for free materials (adverts/promos) or old catalogues that you can purchase for cheap or maybe have free. Up to 500 pages of covers and previews in those catalogues.

[Black Spartan]

Nuts, do you mind if I add what you said to my original post? That way people won't have to scroll through page after page to see the ideas. I'll give due credit.

[Nuts]

Sure.