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Halfway Through October Already?

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Loni Townsend

October’s been busy for me! At work, we’ve been strengthening our IT relations and that’s include multiple multi-hour meetings. As a programmer, I don’t use many of the systems that the techs or net ops uses, but for the sake of awareness, they want to make sure everybody’s on the same page.

I’m a bit strange with how I absorb information. If I hear it, I can usually retain it. But if I look at it, my brain will usually switch to try to process what my eyes take in and tune out what my ears are getting. So, I draw during the meetings. I’m sure it looks like I’m not paying attention, which probably infuriates the speakers, but the fact is, I am doing my best to get the most out of it.

That leads to my next topic: Inktober.

I heard of it last year and decided to give it a try this year. I tell you, I’m not a fan of ink. It’s unforgiving! I much prefer the texture of pencil, since I don’t know how to shade worth a darn with pen. Plus I can erase pencil. Here’s a selection of a few character sketches I’ve done during the meetings that I haven’t posted elsewhere to social media:

    

Not my best work, I’ll admit. I’m not sure if I enjoy ink enough to do this next year, but I figured I’d stick it out until the end of the month. Plus, I’ve got more meetings to attend. Here’s one more I did, though it’s digitally enhanced with color. It’s a self-portrait: a squirrel just hanging in there.

Oh, and a final note, don’t forget that FULL DARK is still on sale through the end of the month. Be sure to get your copy and tell other people about it too!

Have you tried drawing in ink? What do you do during meetings? Have you told all your friends about FULL DARK yet?

16 thoughts on “Halfway Through October Already?”

  1. ChemistKen says:
    October 17, 2018 at 8:40 AM

    So what do the coworkers sitting next to you think? I’d be so concerned about them looking at what I was doing that I’d never be able to draw anything–that is, assuming I could draw worth a damn in the first place.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      October 17, 2018 at 10:09 AM

      My coworkers are used to me constantly doodling through meetings and have seen the progression of my art over the years. One guy has a real eye for structure (former architect), so I often show him my work to get pointers as to what I need to fix.

      Reply
  2. Christine Rains says:
    October 17, 2018 at 8:41 AM

    Cool drawings! 🙂 Draw in ink? I rarely write out lists in pen! I need to be able to erase things. My brain works much faster than my hands. I can’t believe it’s October already either.

    Reply
  3. Erika Beebe says:
    October 17, 2018 at 10:16 AM

    I loved ink! Back in college I was a architect major. What? Lol. It was good for my creative side and my logic side. I was still drawing but with structure and cross hatching. I did develop a skill for it Andy i bet you will too. October is flying! Good luck with all your goals 🙂

    Reply
  4. Anna says:
    October 17, 2018 at 10:33 AM

    I’m like you. I have to hear it. So I read aloud a lot, to help with that. Love the drawings. You’ve got skills. 🙂

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    Reply
  5. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    October 17, 2018 at 11:10 AM

    I’m usually looking at my iPad or Pro during meetings and yes, I still hear everything that was said as well. I think pen and ink is what I learned on. Unforgiving, but it forces you to do it right the first time.

    Reply
  6. CGCoppola says:
    October 17, 2018 at 4:27 PM

    Work HAS been crazy, right?!? And meetings. Ugg. Hate them so much. But I *have* to pay attention because otherwise I’ll zone out and not remember a word. And whoever is presenting probably doesn’t even notice you doodling. They’re probably focused on their own thing.

    Love the squirrel!!

    Reply
  7. Liz A. says:
    October 17, 2018 at 5:58 PM

    Interesting. I need to see and hear to get the most out of something. Although, if it’s long and boring, I’d wish I had my knitting.
    (Once I had a girl in class knitting. We were reading something–it was an English class–and when it was her turn, she put down her knitting and read. The other kids in the class gave her a hard time for “not paying attention”. I stuck up for her, for I knew just how much easier it is to focus when one’s hands have some “physical white noise”.)

    Reply
    1. Liz A. says:
      October 17, 2018 at 5:59 PM

      Oh, almost forgot… As of yesterday, it was exactly 10 weeks until Christmas…

      Reply
  8. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says:
    October 18, 2018 at 9:33 AM

    I’ve always been a big doodler during meetings. I think it helps me focus better.

    Reply
  9. Elsie says:
    October 18, 2018 at 9:57 AM

    I love that middle picture so much! It’s beautiful. I can barely color in pencil, there’s no way I could draw in ink. I admire your talent.

    Elsie

    Reply
  10. Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine says:
    October 19, 2018 at 9:00 AM

    I can’t draw with a pen either. I make too many mistakes that I have to erase. It’d be a mess if I tried Inktober. LOL

    Reply
  11. Arlee Bird says:
    October 19, 2018 at 10:22 AM

    When I was in middle school I bought and old-fashioned type ink pen and a bottle of ink. I played around with it some and mostly made messes. Ink can have a tendency to get all over the place if one is not careful.

    Middle of October? That means this year is drawing to an end. It’s all gone by so quickly.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Reply
  12. Mary Pax says:
    October 19, 2018 at 11:32 AM

    My job is lame, so we don’t have many meetings. When we do, I smile and pretend to listen. I’m actually thinking about my next fish tank or story. Love your doodles. The squirrel speaks to me…

    Reply
  13. Jeri Walker says:
    October 21, 2018 at 8:11 AM

    When I first started teaching, students who doodled really annoyed me. Then I realized how it actually helps them focus.

    Reply
  14. J.H. Moncrieff says:
    October 24, 2018 at 12:58 AM

    Oh, I love that squirrel! How adorable.

    Thankfully, I no longer have to attend meetings. I’m not sure how I survived all the ones I had to attend. I remember food was usually a big feature of them.

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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