I sooo relate to that, Trevy. I resisted digital artmaking for a LONG time for those same reasons (I get enough screen time in the rest of my life). But I was glad when I found a way to make it look more analogue, and it's really practical for Substack purposes.
Thanks, Bonnie! The newsletter is totally free. But some folks have signed on as paid, so I want to send an occasional bonus gift. :) Hope you're enjoying Substack!
I'm happy to see so many talented people monetizing their work here. I'm not at that place yet. I signed up a year ago, posted stuff then slipped away. I'm finding Substack a whirlwind of information, but fun. I've been reading others for awhile without participating. Now, I'm participating. Sort of my life story, ha. Anyway, I'm sketching something this morning to go with a story I'm writing - as soon as I stop scrolling through Substack. Have a great weekend and thanks for responding.
I totally get that. I have found Substack overwhelming and not very intuitive in many ways. But I'm frustrated with other social media platforms and appreciating the slightly more organic connections I'm able to find here. The monetizing is low on the priority list for m. I only started accepting paid subscribers last month after several folks pledged money. Glad you're drawing and writing! The best combo!
I'm figuring it, I posted a new episode for a story I'm writing this afternoon. Just finished doing all the various social media postings that go with it. Getting used to it. (Not one with a sketch, stuck my face on it instead.) I like that this is a place for creatives and most people are supportive. Nice to meet you here. THANKS.
I understand all too well how labour intensive it is. The Taking Note posts I've been doing are painted by hand, but then of course I have to take photos of the work, send them to my computer, make a million corrections and clean-ups on Photoshop, change the size and save them as jpegs, and then upload them on Substack. All to achieve that "immediate" look 😅. Anyhoo, I love your posts, as I've said many times. They are inspiring!
Aww, thanks, B.A.! I've been thinking more lately about how LONG it takes me, and it's a LOT. After I had the post cued up and did the voiceover, I spent another 45 minutes editing each panel for transitions. And still left so many messy moments (the "immediate" look 😂).
I love that idea: that revealing something adds to the mystery! I feel more like the wizard of Oz being exposed as the fumbling guy behind the curtain! 😂
Whereas we would love to know more about this lovely fumbling with words and art as and when you feel like sharing. I especially would love to know if you have anything to say to writers who pine for drawing even if they don’t have the skills for it… ♥️
I have a LOT to say about that! I'm working on it for an upcoming post. The short answer is: START DRAWING! You'll develop the skills as you go. Your "voice" (the wonky lines and imperfections) is what matters. I have my non-artist students draw and create visual stories all the time, and I adore their drawings--and handwriting. So much personality!
I love The Keeper and your newsletter. I’m digging into Procreate, and hope to finally illustrate a couple of my picture book manuscripts. Your clever and playful process and outcome are so fun and inspiring. Thank you!
“C.” Is ok, Kelcey! I cross my fingers that you will soon announce the academy opening!! And a thousand congrats for the feature on Substack, that post was epic 🥳🥳🥳
I appreciate the enthusiasm! And would welcome ideas. But the actual academy (my university job) begins again next month, so I’ll have to turn my attention there.
Thanks SO much for sharing your process and the Timelapse videos, Kelsey. It really made me realize how using something like this, particularly your first video where you kept revising your narrative, would be incredibly helpful for showing the writing process to my students. They so often think that composition is a one step process, and since most students aren't drafting/revising/editing with a pencil anymore, it's hard to convey how much back and forth is necessary. Your video really demonstrates that thinking process necessary to compose thoughts into words.
I will also check out your resources for Procreate classes and brushes. I am in need of dire Procreate help right now. Thank you! --Kat
Thanks, Kat! And YES. I think the technical Procreate info is what many are curious about, but I totally agree that the time-lapse really highlights the WRITING process. I didn't realize how many different starts I'd made until rewatching the video! I just knew that I had to get to the first beat--"the deck guy is coming"--in my first panel. There was so much other writing process work across panels too, not to mention the 8 cut panels with additional content. Maybe I'll share this with my students too :)
Thanks so much, Christine! 🥰
I love seeing the process :)
Thanks, Jenna! Glad to hear it!
Congrats again and thank you for the sneak peek! So cool! 😊
Thanks so much, Jamal! ❤️
This is terrific! I’m inspired! So cool.
Thanks, Amy!
Really wonderful. I'm still not sure I like the idea of having art turn into one more thing I do electronically but this looks kind of interesting!
I sooo relate to that, Trevy. I resisted digital artmaking for a LONG time for those same reasons (I get enough screen time in the rest of my life). But I was glad when I found a way to make it look more analogue, and it's really practical for Substack purposes.
Good to know. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you so much for sharing so much detail that is so helpful!!
Thanks, Connie! Glad it's helpful! I wasn't sure how much detail to get into!
I am so excited! Looking forward to reading it! 🙂
p.s. the book goes out in tomorrow's mail!
Really interesting, thanks for sharing. I’m new and non paying, at the moment. I appreciate the free stuff while I discover this Substack world.
Thanks, Bonnie! The newsletter is totally free. But some folks have signed on as paid, so I want to send an occasional bonus gift. :) Hope you're enjoying Substack!
I'm happy to see so many talented people monetizing their work here. I'm not at that place yet. I signed up a year ago, posted stuff then slipped away. I'm finding Substack a whirlwind of information, but fun. I've been reading others for awhile without participating. Now, I'm participating. Sort of my life story, ha. Anyway, I'm sketching something this morning to go with a story I'm writing - as soon as I stop scrolling through Substack. Have a great weekend and thanks for responding.
I totally get that. I have found Substack overwhelming and not very intuitive in many ways. But I'm frustrated with other social media platforms and appreciating the slightly more organic connections I'm able to find here. The monetizing is low on the priority list for m. I only started accepting paid subscribers last month after several folks pledged money. Glad you're drawing and writing! The best combo!
I'm figuring it, I posted a new episode for a story I'm writing this afternoon. Just finished doing all the various social media postings that go with it. Getting used to it. (Not one with a sketch, stuck my face on it instead.) I like that this is a place for creatives and most people are supportive. Nice to meet you here. THANKS.
❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your process! There is so much I want to learn about both Procreate and Substack and this was so helpful!
Thanks, Patti! I'm still learning about Procreate (and Substack!) myself, but enjoying the possibilities!
This is wonderful!!
Thank you for sharing your technique and process with us all.
Thank you, Andy!
I love a good behind-the-scenes post! Thanks for sharing so generously, and congrats on the Substack badge. Love it!
Thanks, Teresa! I wasn't sure how basic or detailed to get, so this is somewhere in between!
I understand all too well how labour intensive it is. The Taking Note posts I've been doing are painted by hand, but then of course I have to take photos of the work, send them to my computer, make a million corrections and clean-ups on Photoshop, change the size and save them as jpegs, and then upload them on Substack. All to achieve that "immediate" look 😅. Anyhoo, I love your posts, as I've said many times. They are inspiring!
Aww, thanks, B.A.! I've been thinking more lately about how LONG it takes me, and it's a LOT. After I had the post cued up and did the voiceover, I spent another 45 minutes editing each panel for transitions. And still left so many messy moments (the "immediate" look 😂).
The voice over was great! I would not have guessed it was your first one!
Oh thanks for listening, Wendy! (Book coming soon 😊)
Delicious. So good to see how a favourite substack is created. Only increases the magic and mystery. ✨
I love that idea: that revealing something adds to the mystery! I feel more like the wizard of Oz being exposed as the fumbling guy behind the curtain! 😂
Whereas we would love to know more about this lovely fumbling with words and art as and when you feel like sharing. I especially would love to know if you have anything to say to writers who pine for drawing even if they don’t have the skills for it… ♥️
I have a LOT to say about that! I'm working on it for an upcoming post. The short answer is: START DRAWING! You'll develop the skills as you go. Your "voice" (the wonky lines and imperfections) is what matters. I have my non-artist students draw and create visual stories all the time, and I adore their drawings--and handwriting. So much personality!
Thank you Kelcey. Needed this. Waiting for your post but will start drawing. 🫶🏼🌼
While you’re waiting, you might check out these prior posts: https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/how-i-started-my-daily-artmaking
And this: https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/how-and-why-to-make-50-pounds-of
Thank you! I had one of those open already. Will savour them. 💘
I love The Keeper and your newsletter. I’m digging into Procreate, and hope to finally illustrate a couple of my picture book manuscripts. Your clever and playful process and outcome are so fun and inspiring. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Deb! 🥰 Great to hear, and I think you'll enjoy Procreate for your own projects!
Great post, Kelcey! I see it as the seed of your own academy on Substack!
Ooh, I like the sound of that! ❤️ Thanks, C! (Not sure if you use your name on Substack 😊)
“C.” Is ok, Kelcey! I cross my fingers that you will soon announce the academy opening!! And a thousand congrats for the feature on Substack, that post was epic 🥳🥳🥳
I appreciate the enthusiasm! And would welcome ideas. But the actual academy (my university job) begins again next month, so I’ll have to turn my attention there.
Thanks SO much for sharing your process and the Timelapse videos, Kelsey. It really made me realize how using something like this, particularly your first video where you kept revising your narrative, would be incredibly helpful for showing the writing process to my students. They so often think that composition is a one step process, and since most students aren't drafting/revising/editing with a pencil anymore, it's hard to convey how much back and forth is necessary. Your video really demonstrates that thinking process necessary to compose thoughts into words.
I will also check out your resources for Procreate classes and brushes. I am in need of dire Procreate help right now. Thank you! --Kat
Thanks, Kat! And YES. I think the technical Procreate info is what many are curious about, but I totally agree that the time-lapse really highlights the WRITING process. I didn't realize how many different starts I'd made until rewatching the video! I just knew that I had to get to the first beat--"the deck guy is coming"--in my first panel. There was so much other writing process work across panels too, not to mention the 8 cut panels with additional content. Maybe I'll share this with my students too :)