The Struggles and Rewards of Learning to Thumbnail Artwork

My First Watercolor Sketchbook Tour !

Feb 07, 2025

Whats up everyone!

When I stepped into the digital art world, I discovered something new: thumbnailing.

Now, I’m not talking about YouTube or Netflix thumbnails. I mean the kind you use to brainstorm ideas for new artwork. Small, rough sketches that help plan compositions, colors, and layouts.

I knew why thumbnailing was useful, to organize ideas, experiment, and avoid frustration later. But honestly? I didn’t see the point back then. Why spend time thumbnailing when I could just dive straight into the actual artwork?

That’s who I’ve always been, one idea in my head, and I run with it. No plan B. If it didn’t work out? Cue frustration and self-doubt.

But recently, I’ve started thumbnailing more. And let me tell you, it’s not easy. I have this one major problem: getting the ideas from my head onto paper.

You see, I often have these perfect, vivid images in my head. And I mean perfect. It feels like that image must look flawless, whether it’s a sketch, a thumbnail, or a finished illustration. Anything less just doesn’t feel right.

Another struggle? Letting go of that perfect image to explore other ideas. I’ve recently learned this is called hyperphantasia, when you have an intense and detailed imagination. It’s fascinating to read about, but it’s also a huge mental block for me as an artist.

Still, I think I’ve found a solution: just do the damn thumbnails! They don’t have to be perfect. That’s the point, right? Letting go of perfection might be exactly what I need to unlock new possibilities in my art.

Here’s another thing I’ve realized: I struggle with creating compositions and original ideas. That image in my head and my perfectionism, stops me in my tracks. But references help. Starting with something tangible and thumbnailing from there might be my key to breaking free.

Thumbnails don’t even need color. I can explore everything in grayscale. Sure, color can be helpful, but it’s not a must. Heck, even the final artwork doesn’t have to be in color!

The downside? Thumbnailing, exploring ideas, and planning take more time and energy. With ADHD and ASD, it’s hard to commit to something unless we see the point of it. But once we do see the purpose? Game over. We’re unstoppable.

Oh, and there’s one more thing about thumbnails, they’re small. And I love working small. Small feels manageable, and it just looks better to me. So why am I not doing this more? Ugh, my brain is a mystery.

Now, about digital vs. traditional thumbnailing. I’m leaning toward traditional. Why? Because with traditional, I can’t abuse the undo button. There’s no Command + Z. Mistakes stay on the page, and I just have to work with them. Digital? Oh, I’m married to that undo shortcut. And honestly, it holds me back sometimes.

Thumbnailing might just be my way forward. It’s time to embrace it, imperfections and all.