TMI treating my art journal like a diary

But after 1-2 weeks of searching Google, I remembered that I found out about Sticker LA, from Instagram ads…back when I used to use Instagram. Luckily, I still had the app on my phone, and what'd'ya know? The SECOND ad while I'm scrolling, shows me the perfect shop!

Also, I found a trading card printer in Glendale!

I don't know why I didn't think before about combining several small stamps. I always felt stuck because big blocks are so expensive.

Also, must try this ink:

If you've been using a personal account and decide to start posting art more seriously, it might be worth creating a separate profile for it

I like to think of the media tab as an art portfolio. If it's full of selfies, game screenshots, memes, and random gifs with only a few drawings scattered in between, visitors may have a harder time understanding what you do and simply scroll past

Try building a little brand around yourself and read up on brand identity. A short, memorable username, a bio that clearly explains who you are, and small visual touches like certain colors, a mascot, or a signature can make you easier to recognize. Even if your style changes over time, a unique signature can help people keep recognizing your work

From my experience, posts that perform well often seem to give the next one a bit more momentum. You can use that to your advantage, for example when opening commissions

You can keep your account 100% art-focused, or go with something like a 90/10 balance where 10% is just personal stuff you'd like to share. People often enjoy supporting the person behind the art as much as the art itself. That said, most people followed you because they enjoy your work, so it's good to keep that in mind

If nothing seems to be working, you've already tried everything above, and you've even lowered your prices, it might be worth experimenting with charging more instead. It may not change anything, but if someone does decide to commission you at that price, it could make a meaningful difference in your life and career

And probably the most important one: be your own biggest fan. Try to love your work, appreciate how far you've come, and be proud of yourself. People often find it easier to believe in an artist who genuinely believes in what they're creating

That "friction" is exactly why, even though I love blockprinting, I haven't carved a full block in years. The best I've done is a tiny bean stamp from a couple ears ago.

That "resistance to wasting something" is so real. It's exactly why I don't really do watercolors anymore. Watercolors was fine when I was using cheap, knock-off substitutes for Crayola watercolors and our teacher gave us free, salvaged, discarded sketchbooks, with thick paper, from my art class's previous students. But once that ran out, the thought of buying my own watercolor paper and USING it….????? Impossible. Even when I managed to buy some, I'm such a cheapskate, I couldn't get much. And the idea of using it, when I have so little in supply still feels too wasteful. Even when people gave me entire pads of watercolor paper, for free, it still just feels like too high quality for me to use. I'm too afraid to use it. Even if I managed to, drawing/painting while that type of fear was going on in my head, would make me too afraid to experiment, too afraid to play, and therefore, too afraid to make anything worthwhile. I don't use nice paper.

Funny thing is that my "frictionless" materials usually include Copic markers. Most people consider Copics too expensive to use for random doodles. But I've always had access to great sales for Copics. I don't buy $8 Copics. I buy $5 Copic Sketches and $2.93 Copic Ciao markers. And I refill them with equally sale-priced ink. Lots of experienced Copic artists will speak with disgust about using "low quality" paper with Copics. But it's what works for me. It's what makes drawing "frictionless" for me, specifically. I don't have to deal with the planning and foresight involved with incorporating streaky markers into my artwork. And my paper doesn't make me feel guilty for experimenting on it.

The other funny thing is that my other "frictionless" material, is also expensive. I draw with a $25 fountain pen, using $10-$15 bottles of ink. But it is literally frictionless to me. I used to get so frustrated with my skipping ballpoint pens, my drying technical pens/fineliners, and pencils smudging with my alcohol markers. At least when ink dries, it likely won't smudge anymore. And sure, I draw on big sketchbooks with reliable 75lb paper, but again, I know where to get the great sales for them.