Want to increase your productivity?
Applying productivity hacks
Hey there,
I’ve been full steam ahead on an exciting new book, I Am Me, with Allen & Unwin, written by Mitch Tambo. As well as working on this incredible project, this month is extra busy—I’m also moving to a new place, juggling other illustration deadlines and training for a half marathon. So I have to be super productive with the time I have to draw.
Last year in my February newsletter, I wrote “My Top Productivity Hacks” (read here). So did I “practice what I preach”?… Absolutely!
Here’s how:
1. I Have Inspiration at My Fingertips
Having a clear idea of what I want to draw saves me from staring at a blank page. For I Am Me, my storyboard is my biggest source of inspiration. I’ve also gathered reference images—especially from Mitch’s social media—to help bring the illustrations to life.
2. I Create a Drawing Schedule
From my days in finance - I still love using Excel! I’ve made a detailed drawing schedule for this project, which I update daily. To stay on track, I stick to it—whether that means staying up late to complete what I planned for the day or squeezing in 30 minutes of drawing in the car while my kids are at sport. You can just do this on a piece of paper or notes.
3. I Minimise Distractions
I often set a timer and avoid checking emails or social media until a designated break. I also recognize when I work best—my most productive hours are when the kids are at school or asleep, so I don’t force work at other times.
4. I Break Down Projects & Set Milestones
For I Am Me, I’ve broken down the illustrations into smaller milestones with deadlines to keep myself accountable. But I also know when to pivot. Recently, I struggled with a spread of Mitch walking in nature. After hours of tweaking (longer than I should have!), I put it aside, completed an easier spread, and came back with fresh eyes. I even reached out to the
for feedback, revisited my reference images, and tackled it again—without wasting time on something that wasn’t working.5. I Optimise My Drawing Tools
A big win: I upgraded my iPad! No more crashes when working on detailed illustrations with many layers.
I’d love to hear from you—what are your best productivity hacks?
Here’s my newsletter from last year…
My Top Productivity Hacks
It's Summer in Australia, and I must confess, I've been soaking up the sun and enjoying those beach hours a little too much. But hey, life is all about balance, right?
Even during crunch times, I make time to sketch daily—it helps me warm up and spark ideas for future work. I can’t wait to share more about I AM ME with you in the coming months. In the meantime, here are some sketches I’ve been working on.
You can see more of my work on my website and stay connected on Instagram.
Thanks for reading!
Xoxo
PS: If you want to hear more on the topic join the ILLOGUILD: Making Time for Creativity - Productivity Strategies for Artists & Illustrators on 18 March
Members of the illoguild meet up live to chat about our collaboration experiences.
My Books
‘Boldilocks’ (out 2025). “Boldilocks is a boy with hair so spectacular and shimmering that everyone looks at him, embarrassing him wherever he goes. But when Pa takes him to the hairdresser to do something about it, something unexpected happens. With a little salon magic and a whole lot of love, much more than hair is transformed. Boldilocks celebrates the power of community and being confident in your skin (and hair), and will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt a little bit embarrassed about how they look.”
‘Our Australian Heart’ is an anthology celebrating Australia, featuring my illustration “New Life at The Great Barrier Reef”. Sale proceeds are to be donated to The Indigenous Literary Foundation.
Mia’s grandma is no ordinary grandmother. She is a very busy grandmother who is curious, fashionable and adventurous. Glamma always has time to share her love of the world with her granddaughter Mia, so is she just like any other grandmother?
Little Shark Lulu is Sleeping Little Shark Lulu is trying very hard to go to sleeeep…
But, all around her, lots of sea life are wide awake and busily hunting, eating or playing. How can Lulu nod off with all that underwater fun and games?