Colored Pencil Podcast

Show Notes Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast   Release Date: April 4, 2016   Topic: Standing vs. Sitting   Points of Interest: John and Lisa share about their own unique health issues, and ways that they combat those problems through positioning when drawing or painting. Adjustable desks and easels, alternative chairs, and a vertical mouse are just a few of the choices discussed. Are YOU positioning yourself to stay healthy while you work? Listen to find out!   Links Referenced: -Try out Audible FREE for 30 days!  www.audibletrial.com/cppodcast     As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .   Stay sharp!  

Show Notes Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast Release Date: March 28, 2016   Topic: Interview with Debbie Hook   Points of Interest: This show highlights the expertise of Debbie Hook, an artist and framing professional with a knack for explaining concepts in a unique memorable way.   In addition to her highly-successful endeavors as an artist and instructor, Debbie owns a frame shop, and provides a wealth of knowledge on the subject throughout the interview.  Be sure to listen to her valuable input on the importance of materials in your framing job for the best preservation of your piece. She also shares tips about the most cost-effective way to achieve a quality frame job utilizing the internet and local sources.   Debbie also provides her unique insider perspective on colored pencil organizations and contests, and shares about some of her personal favorite personal materials.   Links Referenced:   -Debbie’s website: www.debbiehook.com   -Several of Debbie’s specific pieces referenced on the show are l

Show Notes Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast Release Date: 3-21-2016   Topic: Q and A   Points of Interest: In this episode, John and Lisa take the time to answer questions from listeners like you! You’ll hear the following questions addressed: -When measuring a drawing for selling commissions, should the border of the canvas be included in the measurement of the work? -Can colored pencils be “mixed” with odorless mineral spirits? -Can you use Vaseline/alcohol/baby oil for blending? Why or why not? -What paper should be used by the beginning colored pencil artist? Can canvas be used instead of paper?   Links Referenced: January issue of Colored Pencil Magazine http://coloredpencilmag.com/issues/   New Colored Pencil Powder Blender by Alyona Nickelsen https://www.brushandpencil.com/ProductPreview.aspx?ViewProduct=1&ProductID=36     As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and infor

Points of Interest: In this episode, you’ll meet Nilda Rosa Rodriguez, accomplished colored pencil artist and founder of the Colored Pencil Club. She discusses her transition from acrylics and oils to colored pencil, and the techniques she was and was not able to transfer from one medium to another. She also shares her favorite tools, supplies, and techniques—a true inside look at her unique process! The Colored Pencils Club is Nilda’s brainchild, an online platform through which she has been offering art instruction that uses the benefit of technology to bring the expertise of multiple teachers directly to your computer. Nilda shares her business model and pricing structure, which you can also find on her website (linked below).   Links Referenced: Colored Pencils Club www.coloredpencilsclub.com Giveaway! Nilda has generously offered to give a Colored Pencils Club subscription to one lucky listener—will it be you?  Signup now!   As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa.

Topic:  Question and Answer Show   This week John and Lisa answer some of the questions you submitted to us!  If you’d like to submit a question that may be potentially featured here on the show, just write to us at podcast@sharpenedartist.com  or complete the online form at http://sharpenedartist.com/qanda Want to use your voice to record a message to us? Just click the side widget, at http://sharpenedartist.com/podcast to the right labeled "Send Voicemail", to send an audio file to us!  You can simply use your mic from the computer!   Some of the questions this week are: What kinds of things do you see newer artists struggle with at the beginning? How do I know when to Burnish?  It seems like I’m burnishing too early and when I’m done, I still see the paper showing through. When measuring a drawing for selling a commissions, where does the paper measurement start?   Links mentioned in the show: Lisa's longer Patreon videos   Do you need help building your own website or blog?  You can contact me to discu

Topic:  Images On Your Site   Compression By doing the compression yourself you can take control of quality and aspect ratio of your images, instead of letting your site’s content management system, or a social media platform decide for you.     There are two types of compression, generally, when talking about image files: Lossy(jpeg) - Where you do lose some of the file fidelity and it doesn’t come back.  But it is supposed to be getting rid of unnecessary information that didn’t really matter. Lossless - This compression does not lose any fidelity.  These file types are tiff, vector files or native application files, raw files, and zip compressions, to name a few.   Most of the time, you are better off converting your image files to jpeg (or jpg) format because of the general acceptance of this image file type.  To the naked eye you are not going to see any degradation in the quality of an image.     There are arguments on both sides regarding what file size you should use on your own site or social media

Some of the topics discussed: Colors - Colors on your site should be subdued and muted.  Look at Lisa’s site: lachri.com  (she does push the envelope just a little) Fonts - Some of the fonts that I like right now are: Trebuchet, Merriweather, Amaranth, Promixa Nova.   Read the documentation from Apple on their new font:  https://developer.apple.com/fonts/ What is a plugin? A plugin is a small feature set program that performs a specific function on your site.  For example, you may have a plugin for a form, and a different plugin for a gallery display of your images. Be sure and test each each plugin and give it about a week before adding another. How many fonts should you use and will too many create a performance hit? Try and keep the number to somewhere around 10.  Keep a log of the plugins and what each is doing on your site. Is mobile important? Google has announced that they will factor in a sites mobile experience when they consider search rank.     About half of your visitors are using mobile to v

Topic:  Starting Your Website part 1   This week John and Lisa talk about starting your own website.   Here are some of the topics and questions we discuss:   Why you still need a website, instead of just a social media page. You maintain control of your online presence.You can create and maintain your own gallery online.You can create a slogan or by-line to provide more information about you and your work.Is it worth doing a website?  Yes, if you know why you are doing.You have to market the platform and your brand  (build it and they MIGHT come, if you work at it)What should your first steps be: Choose a host, and urlSome free site options: WeeblyWixFine Art America (in 2015 they came up with a virtual shopping cart)DeviantArtSome paid site options: Squarespace - Not only a content management system (CMS), but your host server and you can customize the code as well.  *This is the platform that John is currently using for sharpenedartist.comFaso.com (Fine Art Studio Online) WordPress - A content management

Topic:  Deep Dive Into Derwent’s Inktense Pencils   What are inktense? This week Lisa and I talk about Derwent’s Inktense pencils.   They are not really watercolor, although the way you use them can be very similar.  You can also opt to use them dry and without any water at all.  They lay down very smoothly even without applying water.   They are permanent when dry.   They can be painted on lots of different surfaces.   Blocks vs Pencils blocks can be applied directly to the paper, but will have a grainy look. You can also use a paint brush and water to make your own ink mixture and apply the ink directly to the paper for a much smoother look. The blocks are a bit more versatile because you can so easily make your ink mixtures with them. You can then apply that ink with a tiny brush for fine detail or a large brush for larger areas. Pencils can sharpen to a fine point for detail, then add water if desired to blend out directly on the paper. The blocks and the pencils work very well together.   Tips for w

Topic:  Starting Your YouTube Channel   This week John and Lisa answer another question you submitted to us about how to start your YouTube channel. Here are some of the topics and questions we discuss: Come up with a message statement.  What is the goal of your channel.  Know why you are creating the channel. Who is your target audience?  Speak to that person.   Do you need an avatar or should you use a picture of yourself? What should you put in your banner? How much attention should you pay to preparing your playlists? Should you adhere to a consistent schedule?   Is there a right way to share?  And how much should I share?   Should you do collaborations, and if so, how do you choose who you do a collaboration with?   Should I sign up for one of the “growing your channel” networks when they reach out to me?   Should you subscribe to video creators?     We also discuss consideration for: Your camera set up The room you record in Camera or mic stand vs a tripod Lighting   What software should you use: Li

Topic: Interview with John Middick   John talks about his circuitous route that eventually led to drawing and colored pencil.  He also discusses why he started the podcast and his future plans for shows and the Colored Pencil School. Closing As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com. Want to submit a question to be answered on the podcast? Email us or click here. Are you ready to increase your presence online and maximize your art career? Click here to start the conversation today!   Stay sharp!  

Topic: Interview with Lisa Clough of Lachri.com   Lisa talks about her journey as an artist from an early age.  She also talks about the genesis of her youtube channel and the goals she has for the future.   Her youtube channel currently has over 77K subscribers and she features 1 to 2 hour videos for her parteon channel.  She features weekly critiques of other artists works as well as her own speed paintings and tutorials.  She creates 4 videos a week!   See more of her work and everything she is involved in at:     http://Lachri.com/   https://www.youtube.com/Lachri   www.patreon.com/Lachri Closing As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com. Want to submit a question to be answered on the podcast? Email us or click here. Are you ready to increase your presenc

Topic:  Question and Answer Show   This week John and Lisa answer some of the questions you submitted to us!  If you’d like to submit a question that may be potentially featured here on the show, just write to us at podcast@sharpenedartist.com  or complete the online form at http://sharpenedartist.com/qanda Want to use your voice to record a message to us? Just click the side widget, at http://sharpenedartist.com/podcast to the right labeled "Send Voicemail", to send an audio file to us!  You can simply use your mic from the computer!   Links mentioned in the show: Lisa's longer Patreon videos   Do you need help building your own website or blog?  You can contact me to discuss the options I offer.   Click here for help building your website or for a free site evaluation.   As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast,

Topic: Interview with Ann Kullberg   Ann discusses her early years and talks about why she decided to become a colored pencil artist.  She discusses her journey that has led to writing books, teaching workshops, and encouraging other artists to achieve their potential.     See more of her work and all the products she offers at: annkullberg.com   Links:   http://annkullberg.com/ Closing As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com. Want to submit a question to be answered on the podcast? Email us or click here. Are you ready to increase your presence online and maximize your art career? Click here to start the conversation today! Affiliate Links:    http://www.audibletrial.com/CPPodcast   Stay sharp!