What Progress? Changes are coming!

I was pretty sad when I realized that I can't participate in #folktaleweek2018. I've had major burn out this week and I have some family issues come up. I could have participated, but I wouldn't have any quality work to show. I have gotten some good ideas from the prompts, and will work on some portfolio pieces from these.


EDIT: Please take 2 minutes to fill out this Smart Dummies Survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GZSXPMF

What I'm Creating:

I've been doing some sketching but no completed pieces. I hope to get some finished work soon.


I have plans for my blog! I want to find time to blog more so I need to make some changing. The linky list is not working, or doesn't work for everyone, so anyone who wants to post their blog links to their "What Progress" post then just post in the comments below!

I've decided to cut Monday Coffee, because I usually don't get enough time Monday to drink my coffee and write a post. I'm changing it to Monday Prompts. This will be one or two prompts that can be used for writers and artists (or at least one for each).

I'm also cutting interviews for now. I'm not against doing them, but the act of finding people to interview is more than I can do right now. I'm considering doing some picture book reviews instead, because they will take less time.

I'm also considering a writing challenge for. Is anyone interested? I'd love to spend more time writing and I think this would be a good time to write! Let me know your thoughts!

If you created a process post this week then please post your link below!

What Progress?

I was sick over the weekend so I wasn't able to post a Monday Coffee! 

What I'm Creating: 

Right now you probably know that I'm working on Smart Dummies. 

What you might not know is I'm taking a fantastic class this fall during Smart Dummies from the Children's Book Academy! http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/illustrating-childrens-books.html It sounds like the worst timing possible, but NO! I can WORK ON MY DUMMY WHILE TAKING THIS COURSE. That's the best thing ever.

I'm taking a class from the Children's Book Academy! I've seen many of their webinars but I finally I have the opportunity to take a class. 

I feel like there is an ebb and flow to being an artist. There are times when you need to be alone to reflect on what you've learned and just create. Other times you need to be taught and get feedback from professionals. I've been an artist for over 18 years. I just got over a period of reflection and I am so ready to learn lots!

I already have access to the mini courses that go along with the course and there is a lot of information to go over. I'm happy already seeing some information that I don't know offhand! I love the layout and I'm hoping to get some time this weekend to go over the material.

It is a flexible schedule for this course, but I'm going to do my best to get as much done in 5 weeks as I can. I hope I can attend all of the webinars live (webinars are always more fun that way.) 

What am I most excited about? The golden tickets! I think my art has gotten to a great level now, and I think having the opportunity for so many agents, editors, art directors to see my work is a HUGE incentive. 

I can't wait to get started. Soon I'll have the ebook and access to the Facebook Group. *GLEE*  You should join me. We'll get all this extra support in creating our dummies this year! 

Schedule:

I'm hoping to get the .pdf planner out to everyone either Friday or Monday. I just have a few changes left to make!

SMART DUMMIES starts in August this year with a Special PRE-EVENT! Don't miss it.

What Progress? A Late Post!

I have been shoulder deep in edit for the  <--- editing mistake I did not catch until the 24th of July. Yay!

What I'm Creating:

Working on the Smart Dummies planner! Also sending out some emails.

Schedule:

I've got a lot of edits to get through on the Smart Dummies planner so I'm not going to post too much today! Sorry getting back to work. Hope to post the digital copy early next week! 

The Smart Dummies workbook/planner is now on pre-sale here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/DaniDuckArt/listing/614548248/smart-dummies-planner-pre-order?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1531724343942

Share your progress here! Don't know what to do? https://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/p/what-progress.html 

  What Progress? is created by Dani Duck. It is a Wednesday event for you to share your progress!

What Progress -- Smart Dummies Update 1

Had a bad day today. Sinuses aren't being nice to me and that's causing panic attacks! 

What I'm Creating:

I've been focusing on Smart Dummies a lot right now. I have 4 confirmed guests so far and several requests out there!

I'm hoping we can choose a winner for the logo contest soon! 

Schedule:

The first request for a quote on the Smart Dummies Planner printed copy must have gotten lost in the email. I've sent another request and hope to get a price soon JIC anyone wants a printed and spiral bound copy. I'm going over the planner now to see if I can spot any mistakes that I've made. 

July 15th - Send out requests for Smart Dummies' posts.

July 16th - Finish up the Smart Dummies planner (at least enough for a pre-sale on printed copies).

Share your progress here! Don't know what to do? https://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/p/what-progress.html 

  What Progress? is created by Dani Duck. It is a Wednesday event for you to share your progress!

What Progress? Don't Forget the Logo Contest and Giveaways!

There is a Logo Design Contest going on until July 6th! Also you have 5 days left to enter my Portfolio Webpage Critique giveaway. The details for the giveaway are here: https://daniduckart.blogspot.com/2018/06/monday-coffee.html and there is a link to the logo contest as well in this post! 

What I'm Creating:

I have the Smart Dummies planner in a good place right now. All the pages are there. I need to add some things and adjust what I have. The planners will be available for download at the end of July!

Schedule:

Things are going to be off until the end of the school year. I'm hoping to finish the planner this week, but things happen. We'll see if I can get it done!

Ongoing - Find more people to interview and to post on Instagram. 

June 30th - Finish up the Smart Dummies planner (at least enough for a pre-sale on printed copies).
July 15th - Drafts for Dummy (Hoping to finish this sooner).

Next Interview:

TBD - I'm a bit busy with the end of the school year. It's not going to be over until July 13th (summer school), but I'm still looking for more people to interview. I have several interviews sent out into the world, and hope to have a lot more soon. Unfortunately this Friday will have no interviews. 

Share your progress here! Don't know what to do? https://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/p/what-progress.html 

What Progress? is created by Dani Duck. It is a Wednesday event for you to share your progress!

What Progress? - I Think I'm Awake

I was out all Saturday. Exhausted, in pain and just not feeling great. It's thrown my week all off so I'm trying to catch up now.

What I'm Creating:

I am going to be finishing up the Smart Dummies planner soon. I've had some eye strain (still do) which is a problem for doing things on the computer. The plus side is I can type without looking at the computer screen so I can do 90% of it blind if I have to. I think that's a good thing!

Schedule:

Is there even a schedule anymore? I'm not even sure. In any case this is my closest approximation!

Ongoing - Find more people to interview and to post on Instagram. 

June 15th - Finish up the Smart Dummies planner.
June 30th - Drafts for Dummy (Hoping to finish this sooner).

Next Interview

Jade Johnson

Share your progress here! Don't know what to do? https://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/p/what-progress.html 

What Progress? is created by Dani Duck. It is a Wednesday event for you to share your progress!

What Progress? The "Is it Summer?" Post

I am so tired. Is it summer yet? Please tell me that tomorrow is June 28th and school is over for the year. It doesn't have to be true, except it does.

I haven't been able to use the computer much recently. I've had a recent bout of eye strain. I'm hoping that it will get better soon and I can get back to work. 

What I'm Creating:

I've been working a lot on Smart Dummies things. I'm hoping to get a Smart Dummies booklet done soon. Have to do a lot of the planning for the event left to do.

Schedule:

Ongoing - Find more people to interview and to post on Instagram. 

June 15th - Have the print booklets for Smart Dummies up for presale. (PDF will be free to download).
June 30th - Have a complete dummy done (or at least pencil depending on eyesight and other factors)! 

Next Interview:

Jen Robinson - June 8th 

*More interviews on their way*

Don't forget to add your blog link in the linkup below!

What Progress?

Tufts of cottony death are floating around my neighborhood again. I don't usually have any allergy problems but this form of puffiness seems to be my one weakness. I will breathe much better once this part of the season ends!

What I'm Creating:

Mostly a big mess in Clip Studio Paint! I think I came close to having a full palette to work from last night. More work than I bargained for, but I'm glad I'm done. It will be useful for any artwork I do. 

Schedule:

I found a few people to post on Instagram. I'm still working on getting more interviews. I'm hoping to find more people tonight for both!

Ongoing - Find more people to interview and to post on Instagram. 

May 30th - Have reasonably good pencil drafts for my dummy. *moved*

Interview Schedule:

April 27th Jardan J. Scavone - Done!
May 4th Benson Shum - Done!
May 11th Katherine Locke - Done!
May 18th Ashley Howland - Done!
May 25th Nick Patton 

I will add more people to this list soon!

As promised here is a badge for "What Progress?" I will make a fancier one later, but might as well get this started!

What Progress? May 9th

I'm really exhausted right now. I've just had a busy week running around. I worked on my garden over the weekend so that alone was enough to make for an exhausting week. 

What I'm Creating

When I'm tired I get bored easily. It's hard to focus on certain tasks. Especially if the task is sitting down and working. If I were polishing or painting my illustrations it's not hard to stay on task. 

In any case I've put my kitty dummy aside to work on a new project. Part of the problem with the kitty project is that I finished it and reimagining it is probably a bit more difficult than starting over. Especially since the story is wordless to begin with. I'm working on a new story with a baby in it. I also have another idea for a mermaid story. Hopefully I can travel between these and previous stories so I don't get bored. 

Schedule

I'm not sure how far I'll make it with my schedule. Here is an update!

May 13th - Find more people to interview.

May 19th - Have reasonably good pencil drafts for my dummy.

May 30th - Have at least one of my dummies finalized.

Interview Schedule:

April 27^th Jardan J. Scavone - Done!

May 4^th Benson Shum - Done!

May 11^th Katherine Locke

May 18^th Ashley Howland

May 25th Nick Patton 

What Progress? May 1st

I thought my cold was heading out, but it seems to be holding on. May be a second cold. I'm glad we are getting warmer weather now! Hoping to add some soil to my garden this weekend and get the garden party started.

What I'm Creating

Still working on the kitty story. The MC is getting changed, but I'm not changing a whole lot of the layout of my story.  I feel like 85%+ was good, but it was more like 50% done story wise (basically because the story didn't make sense in a couple areas). I'm feeling good as I move forward with this! 

I did a drawing for a Monday Coffee badge. It's not quite done but I posted it here. The color is a bit different on Instagram. Hoping to finish this soon! Perfect timing for #MerMay, but I don't know if I'll be able to create daily mermaids. We'll see, because I love mermaids. 

Schedule

I have lots of people signed up for interviews now. I have at least one person I haven't sent questions to, but if I've said I'll send out questions feel free to bug me! I forgot to make a list of interviewees and I want to make sure I have everyone down! 

May 4th - Interview with Benson Shum: Disney Animator and Picture Book Author/Illustrator

May 5th - Have drafts for all the new/changed pages of my dummy "finished".

May 19th - Have reasonably good pencil drafts for my dummy.

May 30th - Have kitty dummy finals finalized.

Interview Schedule:

April 27^th Jardan J. Scavone - Done!

May 4^th Benson Shum

May 11^th Katherine Locke

May 18^th Ashley Howland

What Progress? April 25th

I'm now officially over being sick. Not completely, but most of the icky is gone. Toddler has something now. Maybe it's just teething, or maybe it's a cold. Either way there is a lot of screaming! I did not have this post scheduled for today, but this Friday's interview is already set up.

What I'm Creating

I got started working on a kitty story of mine again. Worked on it last night. I've sent several character drawings to my critique group. I got a new idea for Kitty's look (after showing my work). So now I have a lot more work to do! 

Schedule

I think I'm up having 8 people lined up for interviews. I still have a lot more searching to do. I may not get 20 by the end of the month, but I'm fairly confident I'll be able to have interviews continuously. If you want to be interviewed please let me know: https://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/2018/04/monday-coffee_23.html will tell you more of what I'm looking for.

April 28th - Send out more work for potential jobs.

April 30th - Try to get at least 20 people lined up for interviews (and hopefully have questions sent out). 

May 5th - Have drafts for all the new/changed pages of my dummy "finished".

May 19th - Have reasonably good pencil drafts for my dummy.

May 30th - Have kitty dummy finals finalized.

What Progress?

Somehow I'm making writing blog posts on my phone a habit! I'm sick this week with a cold that the whole family caught. I'm hoping to be spared the horrible headaches and nausea if nothing else (fun fact: runny noses can cause nausea!

What I'm Creating

I'm working on getting people together to do a continual series of interviews on my blog! If you are interested please let me know. You do not have to be traditionally published but you should have a web presence! It doesn't help you to be interviewed if people can't find any information about you after!

Schedule

I'm actually doing okay sending out work. I've sent out work to 6 publishers online. My goal is to send out at least 4 more by the end of the week. I will probably take a pause after this. I don't mind rejection, but if I get a lot I want to give myself a chance to make changes to my approach. I hate the idea of making the same mistake over and over. Also if my materials aren't right I want to be able to change them before everyone sees them.

I'm going to leave the artwork as a blank for now. I'm thinking of multiple things I'd like to do but mostly I'd like to fix up at least one of my dummies to send out. I'm working on preliminary drawings and will see where it goes before I settle on a schedule. I may start a new dummy as well, so once I figure things out I can get started!

April 20th - Send out work to at least 4 more publishers online. Have questions sent out for the 6 people who have already agreed to interviews!

April 28th - Figure out my next goals for illustration/writing. 

April 30th - Try to get at least 20 people lined up for interviews (and hopefully have questions sent out). 

What Progress?

Thoughts

I'm tired! It's been a very busy week. I've gotten some major projects done and others haven't gone so well.

What I'm Creating

I just finished up 8 images for my black and white portfolio. I will be adding more to this, but I feel like 8 images is a minimum for any portfolio. You can see what I've done here: http://daniduck.com/b%26w I plan to do some grayscale images as well, but I have to start somewhere!

In other news I've already sent my portfolio out to one company digitally. Before I did this I went back over my portfolio. I saw a lot of images that had to be re-edited for one reason or another. Some of them were too blurry/pixelated, others had white around the edges, and a couple had pencil lines (from drawing the border around the illustration). I think I caught everything this time! Glad I got all those little things fixed. This all delayed me from sending out my work, but I want to put my best foot forward!

Schedule

I'm not sure that this schedule is really based on any real dates anymore. 😂 Actually I'm not too far off right now. I will likely be able to have my post cards done by April 1st and possibly I'll be sending out submission packages by the 9ths, but I feel like I won't be able to finish any color spreads this week. The black and white work I've been doing has taken up a TON of my time. Mainly because I did them digitally and I haven't done that in a while. I also am figuring out a new program. I will be faster with future digital work because I learned a lot this week. 

April 1st  - Have postcard finished and sent out for printing
April 8th - 2-3 color spreads finished or almost finished Delayed
April 9th - Send out 5-10  Submission Packages

Back to it. I'll see you again in a week with another update! 

What Progress?

I've randomly decided that Wednesdays are progress days. I'll be talking about my progress (or lack thereof) on these days. I will also be talking about what I hope to achieve for the coming week. Also anything else that may or may be relevant (because why just play in a box when you can also be on the box? 😁).

Thoughts

I have a cold that just won't go away. I could go for another coffee. Toddler on my lap for no given reason but "up".

What I'm Creating

Right now I'm still working on my portfolio. I have 10 images in there right now, so not bad. Mostly I'm trying to figure out what I want to add to my portfolio.

Possible additions to my portfolio:

B&W/ Grayscale images
Spot Illustration and Spreads
Anthropomorphised Animals
Detailed Backgrounds and Domestic/Indoor Scenes

There are lots of other things I want to add to my portfolio but these are my focus right now. I have a lot of images I could ink and stick into my portfolio so I'm going to do that. I've decided that most (if not all) of these will be done on the computer. It's about the same speed to get them done, and most places that want black and white want it to be digital.

Schedule

March 25th - Have 7-10 B&W/Greyscale illustrations completed (enough to have a page on my portfolio)
March 30th - Know where I'm sending work to. At least 5-10 places.
April 1st  - Have post card finished and sent out for printing
April 8th - 2-3 color spreads finished or almost finished
April 9th - Send out 5-10  Submission Packages

This is my basic schedule and may or may not have anything to do with really happens. The important thing is I made goals. Now to go make some of this happen!