Pre-Smart Dummies Starts Now!

Note: All future blog posts will be at my new website: https://www.daniduck.com/blog/ 
If you aren't currently getting emails from my new website please re-register your
email there. You should not get double emails with this list!

To sign up for Smart Dummies go here:
https://www.daniduck.com/register-for-smart-dummies-2019/ and be sure to sign
up for emails!

This year Smart Dummies is going to be a bit different. I’m going to work to make
this more of a community event! I’m hoping we can help each other to make stronger
dummies. Not only that but I want as many people as possible to actually finish their
dummies this year!

What’s leaving Smart Dummies 2019?

Besides being on this new web address Smart Dummies will not be having guest and
likely not prizes this year. I will be removing the calendar from the Smart Dummies
booklet.

I’ve had to think hard about this, because I don’t have time to run it like I have in
previous years. However I’m hoping what we lose will be regained in new parts of
the event.

What’s Staying the Same?

We’ll still be having critique groups, badges, and the Smart Dummies digital workbook
will be back soon! Weekly posts will let you know what we are doing all week long!

What’s New?

I’m hoping to get a few more people helping out with Process Posts (see below). These
posts will be hosted on other blogs with links from my blog. I’m hoping to have (or find)
answers to all of your Dummy Creation Questions! There will be more action on the
Facebook Group (BTW everyone is welcome to post non-promotional material there).
There is the possibility of a twitter/video chats. And maybe a few surprises. I will be
adjusting the calendar in the Smart Dummies booklet to reflect the different subjects we
are covering.

Process Posts

The post below is something I’ve already posted on Facebook. I’m looking for help
with process posts. Do you have any of these posts already on your blog? Great, just let
me know, send me a link and photo from your post and I’ll share it during Smart Dummies! 

Looking for people who have a technique or process they’d like to share. Your post
about this does not have to be on my blog (but it can be). It can be something from an
old post of yours. Here are some of the subjects I’m looking for, but it doesn’t have to be
limited to these:

• Turning Public Domain Stories into Picture Books
• Marking up a Script for Illustration
• Researching Images
• Doodling
• Character Design
• Character Emotions
• Thumbnails
• Loose Page Drafts
• Preparing Substrates (traditional artists)
• Any Posts About Technique
• Anything Else to do with Art or Dummies

A No Update, Update

Unfortunately I could not work on my Kidlit Collage post this week. I wish it was laziness or that I was just too busy. The problem is that my computer is having issues. I'm hoping these issues will be resolved soon! I'll be back here ASAP to fill you in on more details.

 Want to join me  and Christy Ann (@christyillustrates on instagram) in Kidlit Collage? There is no sign up! Just post your image on Instagram (and other social media) and tag #kidlitcollage. That way we can see your work!

More About Make Your Marks and Splashes

I'm talking again about  Mark Mitchell's wonderful illustration course. This course will give you the ins and outs of the picture book field. Mark strives to help people get a solid foundation of art and an understanding of the illustration field. You can see Mark's Smart Dummies Post about the course here: https://daniduckart.blogspot.com/2018/09/make-splash-in-illustration-with-mark.html

What did you miss out on in school? Were you able to take art classes in college, or were you able to go to college at all? I personally have a BFA in Fine Arts and let me tell you I missed out on a lot. 

There are many art schools and universities that give you most of the tools you need to get started as an illustrator. I wasn't lucky enough to be in one of those schools. I got most of my training in one grad course that cost me $1,500. I don't regret it, but that's a lot of money to pay out of pocket. I have learned a lot since then, but with art one has to be open to learning their whole life.

What don't you know about illustration? If you could take a class that would set you on a path to being a paid illustrator would you take it? If you are already a paid illustrator what would it mean to be better at your craft? What would it mean if your work would appeal to more audiences? An education like that is worth it's weight in gold. You can take a class with Mark Mitchell for about a fifth of the cost that it took me to take a single university course.

College Doesn't Matter for Art. A good portfolio will trump any degree. Publishers, art directors, agents and even employers want to see what you can do. They don't care if you have a fancy education if you can't do the job. There are some cases where a degree is vital, but in most cases your portfolio means more.

What's New?  Things have changed a bit as far as the set up for buying your course. If you click on the link it will take you to a place where you can explore a bit about the course. There is also a video which will tell you more about the course!

Mark is supporting this blog and Smart Dummies through this course. If you take this course you aren't just helping to improve your art skills, you are also helping me to make Smart Dummies, this blog and any other related events better for everyone. Through the support of the community I've been able to host giveaways and an art contest. I hope to be able to to even more this year!

Make Your Mark's and Splashes info: https://daniduck--marksandsplasheslearning.thrivecart.com/make-your-marks-and-splashes-copy-2/

Sorry About the Mess!

Sorry the font has been so messy on my blog lately. I had a problem a few months back with my whole computer and I just didn't have time to fix things.  Somehow all my internet fonts were changed on the computer but my blog looked okay on my phone.

In any case, I'm sorry for the horrible font. It's been adjusted now! I'm still not sure how the settings changed, but I'm very happy to have a legible blog once again!

Monday Montage!

My friend Christy (@chrstyilstrates  on Twitter and https://www.instagram.com/christyillustrates/ on Instagram) and I are doing a new series! The series is called Monday Montage.

Every month we are going to create one full illustration due the last Monday of the month. Even though we are only posting one final image, every Monday we'll be posting process posts. We will be sharing these images with you on our blogs and social media. Christy's blog is here: https://creativejourneycafe.wordpress.com/

YOU CAN JOIN US! Just make a post on Mondays and use the tag #mondaymontage on your post. This will help us find your posts and comment on them. I'm also hoping to set up a few things so that we can all grow our audiences!

Are you in?

The first prompt is: Goals 

You can interpret it as you'd like. January 7th (The first Monday in January) will be our first post. I'm thinking I'll be doing some character drawings first. What are you planning on creating?

New Year's Goals!

The holidays had me really busy! How about you? I got really sick just before Christmas, yay? I've got tissues, and will be typing my goals between blows.

I make goals every year instead of a Resolution. I've gotten off resolutions because they are pass or fail. I tend to make my goals higher than I can achieve so it pushes me to work harder.

My 2019 Goals


1. Redo My Portfolio

I've redone my portfolio so many times. I've got a few great digital programs now and it's time I go to town on this goal! I really need more work that's kidlit infused. My last redo was focused on Fantasy art, but too many adult characters! I'd also like to do more backgrounds (indoor and outdoor) and more comic/graphic novel looking work.

2. Send Work Out to Editors/Art Directors (Early in 2019)

I've had some interest in my new digital art style. I need to make it a habit to send out new art every few months. I don't have anything new completed right now, but I'm hoping to change that soon.

3. Win the 12x12, Storystorm, Smart Dummies and My New Writing Challenge

Sign up for Storystorm is open now! https://taralazar.com/ The 12x12 is a challenge to get 12 picture books written in 12 months. http://12x12challenge.com/ Smart Dummies will help you get your Picture Book Dummy done in September. More info coming on the writing challenge soon!

4. Blog More (More Info Tomorrow)

My friend Christy and I have come up with a fun illustration challenge that we'll be starting January 7th. More info about this and how you can join tomorrow!

5. Create at Least 2 More Dummies 

I have one dummy that's fairly solid. I'd like to have 2 more so I have more work for agents to see! Once I have 2-3 dummies finished I'll start submitting to agents.

6. Rediscover My Love of Writing

I don't write enough anymore. I'm really seeing it in the things I do write. While I will be working to complete the 12x12 this year I'm hoping that this will include strong stories that I can easily take to dummies.

7. Find More Ways to Include Family in My Art 

I will try to spend more time with my family, but I wanted to change this to something that relates directly to the business side of my art.

My husband helps me a lot already with my work. I've been creating some comic style art lately and he has read a lot of comics, so his feedback is invaluable. I've read a lot of comics too, but it's great to get more feedback from someone close to me.

For my kids it will probably be taking pictures of them doing kid things, turning what they do into art and seeing what they'd like drawn.

8. Asking For Feedback on My Art

I almost didn't include this, but it's important. I don't ask for enough feedback on my art and serious mistakes (that could be avoided) are causing me issues. I need to ask early in the sketching stage, because that stage is the most important for the whole piece.


What are your goals this year? 

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I didn't get all my 2018 goals finished. Let's see how I did:

1. Win Storystorm I did this! 

2. Win the 12x12 Challenge I'm still working on this. I finished last year, and I hope to do it again.
3. Look for Freelance Illustration Work I had some offers that I had to turn down.
4. Finish 2-3 Picture Book Dummies I was only able to finish one dummy this year, but it was an awesome one.
5. Submit at Least 6 Different Manuscripts to Editors/Agents I had some health problems and it derailed me a lot, but I did have an art director interested in my work!
6. Spend More Focused Time on Social Media Oh I focused more on social media, but not in the right ways.
7. Spend More Time With Family I think I did this. I know for a fact that I did this more around the holidays than previous years. Gave me time to relax and catch the toddler's cold.

While I didn't get everything done on my list I had a few surprises happen! I took Dr. Mira Reisberg's class. The Craft and Business of Illustrating Picture Books is top notch! Check out the Children's Book Academy here: http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/ and make sure to sign up for the emails. An Art Director from a great publishing company loved my work and I made that contact through the Children's Book Academy Class! I hope you look into this and take a class as well!

My Christmas Wish List #4: Rebelle 3 -- Digital Art Program

My Christmas Wishlist #4

This year my Christmas Wish List includes Rebelle 3 from Escape Motions. You may know that I already have Rebelle 3 on my computer. So why include it on my wish list? Right now I don't have full capability of the program right now. It

To read more about the program you can go here: https://www.escapemotions.com/products/rebelle/ There is both a downloadable demo, and an online demo for this product.

Created digitally with Rebelle 3's  pastels
and inked with Clip Studio Paint

I like Rebelle 3 for many reasons. I have used Photoshop extensively. At this point I cant afford to buy a subscription for Photoshop. I'm not sure that Photoshop is right for me anymore. I'm use to using traditional methods for my art and Rebelle 3 seems to be the best at mimicking watercolors. If you are talking about oil painting Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter are decent digital substitutes.

Watercolor: Rebelle 3 has a fascinating way of creating realistic watercolors. It allows you to put water on the canvas and your colors to blend in a way that's very much like actual watercolors. You can pause the reaction with the water and instantly dry or wet your entire canvas. There is more of a chance for mistakes and fun discovery with this program compared to other programs I've seen.

Pastel: I think this is my favorite for black and white images. I don't use pastels much but I love how well you can build up the pastel color. There is also a blending tool that allows pastels to look softer and (of course) blended.

Ink: I like the options that you have for inking. Much like the watercolors you can use water you can blend the inks. With these digital inks (like traditional inks) the colors are fairly fixed after they dry. India ink is the same way, so if you want to be able to change the colors after the fact, then you'd go with watercolor rather than ink. If I could change anything about this I'd want a bit of a stabilizer for ink so its easier to draw using a tablet.

Eraser: This one is fun, because it basically reverts your paper back to normal! It's not that impressive when it comes to pencil, but when you have 15 layers of watercolor down it's kind of awesome to remove them and start back at the beginning.

Other Media: Rebelle 3 also has acrylics, pencil, markers and spray paint available for use. I have not used any of these extensively so will not comment at this time on their uses.


The "bad" thing about the program is it is very memory intensive (see website for more details on system requirements). You have to have a lot of RAM on your computer for it to run well. I have 8 gigs of ram on my computer and a decent graphics card. While it can run on 8 gigs, this program is best with 12 - 16 gigs. The amount of undos are limited to 1 with a 10.5" x 16.5" image with 4-5 layers (the size I use for picture book spreads). An 8" x 10" (or slightly larger) doesn't seem to have many issues. I'm hoping to get more RAM soon!

Edit: I also forgot to mention that with 8 gigs of ram it's not possible to run Chrome or other software. You can, but the Rebelle software is very likely to crash or have other problems if you do so. Often I'm running near the top of what my computer can handle without opening anything else!

Where to buy:

Both Escape Motions and Smith Micro sells this software. The difference I've noticed between the two is the availability of software download after the fact. With Smith Micro there are more sales, however the digital download is only available once with Smith Micro. An extra $13 is required to download the software for only 1 year. With Escape Motions you can download the software indefinitely so I strongly suggest ordering it through the company. For $90 USD it's not an expensive program!