Lessons Learned While Coloring

Trying to do too much at once is often painful. But a little bit here and a little bit there, and you arrive at the same result with less hardship.

There are ways to save energy (that in your hands before they get tired), time, and resources (colored pencils). You just have to look for them. When the tip of the pencil gets blunt while coloring small areas, start to fill in larger spaces where a fine tip isn't needed, then sharpen when you can no longer use the pencil in its current state. This can be applied to more than drawing.

Every shape has negative space. Which is a constant reminder of this passage from the Tao Te Ching:
"Thirty spokes join together in the hub.
It is because of what is not there that the cart is useful.
Clay is formed into a vessel.
It is because of its emptiness that the vessel is useful.
Cut doors and windows to make a room.
It is because of its emptiness that the room is useful."

How the light and the dark give rise to each other.

Goal setting. You make a goal and get to see not only the process, but the result as well.

Unity of pieces. Of the small and the big. Of every color, working together in a beautiful scene.

Lines be damned. Sometimes straying from the lines makes for something even more interesting.

There are many interpretations of what colors could go where. Many color palettes to choose from. Many combinations. Oh, the math...

Light colors first, dark colors second. Sunrise, sunset. The order of things.

The best art takes time. (Opinion, but probably true).

The smallest mistake doesn't stand out in a crowd.

Pencils, they sharpen and dull, just like us, until their work is done and there is nothing left, but the colors on the page for others to enjoy and ponder over.