Painting in Batch and This Year in Youtube- Patreon Newsletter December 12th (Patreon)

Hey Artnerds

Painting Pages

I've been kinda quiet because I'm working on painting Chapter 9, and that takes up a lot of time and space.  I've been sharing daily progress on Tiktok and as Shorts, if you're interested in seeing how a chapter of a watercolor comic is made.

If you're curious about the actual painting PROCESS for batch painting a chapter, I've recorded a bunch of tutorials on the topic in the past, and I hope you'll check them out!

Intro to Comic Craft 

Watercolor Basics 

Comic Prep and Process 

I hope at some point to hit a stride where I can juggle both recording new reviews and tutorials while working on pages (that's why I have two desks), but I haven't hit that quite yet.

While painting the Cover, I realized that I was treating it as an illustration- not as a comic page.  While that's fine for a cover, an image people will spend a lot of time looking at, that level of detail on a comic page is actually distracting and can make it difficult to read- you want to save that level of detail for really important panels.

The paper I use for comics (Canson Montval) can't handle all the layers I use when doing a watercolor illustration, so paring down my layers will not only help me speed things up, but should hopefully result in more cogent comic pages.

In Misery

Unfortunately, my current setup for batch painting is absolutely wrecking my back and triggering bad migraines.  I'm going to have to figure out something else or make some major modifications if I hope to paint all of chapter 9 this way.  In the past, I worked on the floor, sitting on a yoga mat, with my pages spread out before me, but since this house is all hardwood flooring and yellow lighting, that's not really feasible.  Working in that way for about a decade also gave me serious lower back issues and knee problems, so it's not an option worth returning to.  I guess the only way to go is forward!

On a happier note though, it seems there's an Art Stool kit available for Aeron chairs, as well as Aeron art stools.  I'm hopeful the kit will work with my chair, because the added height would help so much- I wouldn't have to stoop over my pages for such long periods.  Even if it won't work, getting a nice art stool seems a good solution.

New Orleans Book Fair

Saturday, we were at the New Orleans Book Fair at the main branch of the New Orleans Library.  If yall remember my NOCAZfest recaps, New Orleans Book Fair is organized by the same people and similar to NOCAZfest, minus the focus on comics and zines.

I forgot the day before the show that the show was the next day, so imagine my surprise at 11 pm when Joseph asked me if I was ready to table.  Fortunately, this was a smaller event, so I decided to focus mostly on books, but also brought my acrylic charms and vinyl stickers.  Fortunately, it was a short show, 11 am-4 pm, and just one day. While sales weren't the best, I can only blame myself because I also forgot to promote that I'd BE at the show.  While promoting a show doesn't mean I'll make big bucks, it usually makes enough of a difference to make it worthwhile.  Next year, I'll do a better job getting the word out, and hopefully, more comic artists will make it out! 

My Year On Youtube

Youtube emailed the My Year on Youtube recaps for 2022.  I shared scrolling through it as a Short (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/83vdq0J9T7c), but I wanted to talk about it just a smidgen.  I just want to discuss some concerns- please keep in mind that these feelings are not a reflection of any of yall- yall have been amazing.  I do like to talk about the nitty gritty of comics, convention life, and content creation from time to time.

My relationship with Youtube is strange, and I struggle with it pretty frequently.  On one hand, I like doing tutorials and reviews- the acts in and of themselves are fun for me.  I don't mind editing, although as the videos get longer, it becomes a lot more challenging.  I don't mind scheduling things or promoting them.  I've written about this before, but if Youtube didn't show views, I would probably be happier.  I try not to compare myself too much with other artists on Youtube, but sometimes I can't help but ask myself Why Not Me?  Why can't I break 1k views over a week?  I'm creating comparable content.  I have a somewhat unique position as a watercolor comic artist.  I update regularly.  I promote my videos.  I'm sure I still have much to improve and learn, but that's a hurdle I've been trying to jump since before COPPA.

The My Year on Youtube is meant to be encouraging and possibly to provide insight, but I find that, generally, it does not point me toward avenues for improvement.

My two biggest disappointments this year are the Most Watched Video (a terrible quality sticker-creating video from 2016 or 17- it's recorded like crap, and I have much better versions of the same content that get a fraction of those views) and my Most Watched Stream (a crystal growing stream from almost two years ago).  I wish Youtube reported on which video and stream FROM THIS YEAR were the most viewed- that would be far more helpful.

My relationship with Youtube analytics has always been a bit fractious; just because a video of mine did well absolutely does NOT mean more videos like that, or checking in year after year, will do well.  I have Michael's tour from several years ago that's a perennial heavy hitter, and I redo that tour every year with little results.  So while analytics might be a helpful tool for most creators in determining what kind of content to focus on, it's pretty much a coinflip for me.

Another result I find frustrating is how many of my views come from my Shorts. While I do enjoy releasing shorts, it's not a financial avenue for me since I'm usually resharing Tiktoks, and those are a minefield of copyright issues. Youtube also hasn't fully worked out a Partner program for shorts, so it's weird and kinda uncomfortable for me that so many of my views are coming from Shorts- it's not an avenue that I have a lot of grand plans for because what videos do well and which do poorly is pretty hit or miss for me.  It's something that I think is fun to do, and I like doing it, but once it becomes a major source of views (not necessarily subscribers), that starts putting pressure on me to make it work.

As platforms push creators to use short form video, I wonder where artists, particularly artists who enjoy educating, really fall in.  While I do share educational shorts from time to time, I prefer long-form tutorials.  Shorts are an opportunity to cut loose and do something different or fun, but as platforms prioritize short form, it's easy to 

As of right now, I don't have a plan for next year's Youtube content.  I want to wrap up the Student Grade Showdown and create a tiered list.  I want to review the professional-grade watercolors I have.  I'm working on creating a vlog of Chapter 9.  I'll probably continue to record workshops and classes based on what we're doing in Art Squad.  But I don't have a solid game plan because the past three years of Youtube have left me confused, and it's hard to make a plan for growth when you're not sure what you have to offer that's unique or what people want to see from you.

Upcoming Trip to Nachotiches

This year, instead of exchanging presents, my family is taking a two-day trip up to Nachotiches to check out their winter festivities.  Their winter markets have been recommended to me, and if I see anything interesting, I'll share it with yall!

Early Access and Backer Exclusive: 

Early Access: Tackling Art Challenges and Leveling Up Your Art- Art Chat: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-art-75551563

Early Access: Sparkling Christmas Tree Watercolor Stashbuster Tutorial: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-75551445

Early Access- Jingle Bells Stashbuster Watercolor Tutorial: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-75551345

Early Access: Cheery Cardinals Watercolor Stashbuster Bookmark Tutorial: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-75551176

Early Access: Easy to Paint Bright Christmas Lights Watercolor Stashbuster Bookmark Tutorial: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-to-75551067

New to the Public:

Tuesday, December 6th : What Art Gifts to Buy and What at Walmart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkq2RjvaTXQ&t=605s (art supplies, art gifts, gift guides)

Saturday 10th, December : Buying Gifts for Artists- David's Art Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxlWq_G7RnI&t=71s (art supplies, art gifts, gift guides)