Got any old photos tucked away in the back of a drawer? The actual physical kind. The kind that have been bent, creased or cut down to fit a frame?
That’s where the good stuff is.
I’ve noticed that old photos of myself and my family make excellent drawing material, not just as visual reference but as a way to transport myself back to things I might have forgotten.
Like my Darth Vader haircut, my favourite ever plaid trousers, and how much I loved the blanket on my bed (which I named Picker).
Of course looking at old photos brings back memories but drawing them helps bring back feelings and that brilliant oddness of being a child.
Those odd little details are a fun way to bring more life to your characters. Being able to tap into how I felt and thought as a kid is helping me with seeds of stories too.
Do you remember a favourite piece of clothing that you loved so much? What was it? Something sparkly or crazily patterned or so so soft? I would love to hear about it!
And because it’s always interesting to see, here’s some sketchbook testing and rejecting while I figured out these drawings:
Thank you for this wonderful concept! I don’t know why I haven’t dug into my treasure trove of history photos before - of little me!
My favourite clothing was a western style check shirt with snap buttons and jeans with a beaded belt ! I grew up in an era where girls had to wear dresses and skirts and it was pure freedom !
Love this post. I can think of two childhood outfits I wish I still had. One was a blue Alice in Wonderland dress and pinafore my mum made me. The other was a pair of sage green overalls from the brand American Girl (famous for making dolls.)