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!