I think the main activity of being an artist is deciding things. The problem then becomes a question of what do you like? Or more precisely, which do you like more of two similar things?
Or maybe it can just be further refined down to the quesiton: WHO are you? lol!
None of these are easily answered questions, so the artist is left with indecision. This is especially the case when they're starting a new project and wondering what might be different this time.
I think all artists go through this phase, where they have to try a zillion different papers, pens, brushes, etc. This complex process if made easier with the advent of photoshop, of course. But that also can just add to the zillion & 1 choices.
For instance the attached graphic shows some versions of a new book I'm starting on... my last book ever? Anyhow, the details that I argue with myself are the following:
paint: real paint vs. digital paint
color: bright vs. subdued
characters: simple vs. complex
line: brown vs. black vs. no-line
design: complexity vs. simplicity
eyes: dotty eyes vs. drawn round eyes
Add in topics of perspective, texture and overall effect... and it takes an artist to decide it all. As you see, I've spent days trying different approaches... each with it's own merit.
One reason I like digital is that I'm finicky and completely undecided about everything a lot of the time. I have too many ideas and can't keep them sorted.
And I like changing my mind halfway into things. In other words, I'm nuts.
Now, if only I had decided to become an insurance agent instead of an artist, I might just be struggling to decide where to go on my next 2 week vacation.
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