I have the inexplicable urge to start painting again

“The worst thing to do is put your whole life into one drawing.”

— Dave McKean

Dave McKean is a legend. Illustrator, photographer, filmmaker, musician, and artist.

He’s also responsible for the album art for a suspiciously large number of bands that I loved as a teen.

Here’s a handful of quotes from him that lived in my notebook for many years. That’s it. That’s the post.

He doesn’t believe in talent so much as hand-eye coordination, hard work, and showing up.

He worked nights in the middle of nowhere. He put off buying a computer for years because he liked getting his hands dirty.

His advice is practical: Make an image every day. Carry a sketchbook. Go to art school. Work your ass off. Get better.

That’s better advice than the content of most online courses.

This episode is brought to you by:

Nobody.

Links:

Original: Dave McKean on his Creative Process

Substack: jamesgarside.substack.com

Medium: medium.com/@jamesgarside_

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@jamesgarside

Web: jamesgarside.net

Chapter 23 by James Garside. A regular series of irregular thoughts. Could be anything. Mostly rants. Warning: May contain traces of sarcasm. Chapter 23 is a multimedia project by James Garside. Journalist, Author, Writer. Part-time vagabond, full-time grumpy arse. Would you care for a cup of tea? I write about everything from art, culture, and politics to tech, travel, and the occult. Sometimes in ways that get me into trouble. I’m also funny — I probably should’ve led with that. I help writers and artists to do their best work. Let’s be part of each other’s stories. More at: jamesgarside.net

Get full access to Chapter 23 by James Garside at jamesgarside.substack.com/subscribe