I’ve got friends who’ve stopped posting to their blogs in recent years, going exclusively to social media to share their work. I’ve opted to stick with it – but why? I answer that in today’s video, along with showing a pastel drawing for your entertainment while I yammer!
PS it’s my friend Ellen’s business birthday – so she’s having a sale! The shop’s HERE . And if you’d like me to get credit for the sale from this affiliate link, please accept cookies – or the purchase doesn’t help you keep my work going…..cookies are killin’ the sales. 🙁
Video
Watch the video below or click HERE to view it on YouTube.
To blog or not to blog?
I know some have given up on blogging – and I asked a few why that is:
- community not participating – few comments unless there’s a giveaway
- people just don’t subscribe anymore – they prefer quick posts on instagram
- the time it takes to type these posts, prepping photos to go with projects, etc
- cost of a professional blog and emai list
Still bloggin’ after all these years….why?
- my readers! love you all! especially y’all who DO comment, because you’re rare treasures.
- to be found on search engines because of all these word things
- organizing my content and repurposing old projects and share them
- maintain email lists where I can reach out to my peeps if social sites go down
- keep control of my content
You need to make your own decision depending on why you are blogging – why did you start? Is it still serving that purpose? Are there drawbacks to not having a blog?
The drawing
I’m as slow as a lot of you at getting around to classes I signed up for! A while back I joined Colin Bradley’s School of Art – and now that I’m about to dive in to watch lessons, I thought I’d create a sketch with my gut-instinct style to compare to after I learn what I’m doing. Because right now I don’t know what I don’t know!
This was a relatively fast sketch, and small – so there wasn’t time for a ton of detail….and that background was way more of a mess than I thought it was going to be, and I’m looking forward to learning hoow to create transitions that blur vs sharp edges.
Is there something you want to learn? I recommend trying it on your own first, just to see what you can learn by instinct, then take a class from someone who knows what they’re doing. You’ll have a better idea what things you want to pay attention to, as well as may learn what you liked on your own before studying under a pro!
Supplies
Some product may be provided by manufacturers for review and use. Compensated affiliate links are here at no cost to you. If you choose to shop using my EH (Ellen Hutson) links, please accept cookies on that site in order to retain the link to my blog, or that compensation does not happen for me. I appreciate your support of my work with your purchases! Full affiliate and product disclosure | My trusted partners in art
- Pastels – my mom’s collection from over decades
- Pastel Shapers
- Faber Castell Pitt Pencil Sets
Hi Sandy,
Just my two -cents. I love your blog and look to it to learn techniques, art, color theory, and let’s not forget that these are relaxing too. It seems a breath of fresh air in a world of twitters, Facebook, TikTok, etc. I like one place to use as a resource. The way you show products stamps, tools, etc. with alternate ways to use them is quite a resource.
Your videos are a joy to watch. Keep up the good work!
I liked watching the turtle and being able to see your face at the same time.
I love that you still blog!!
It was fascinating to watch the image morph and evolve into the gorgeous turtle! I am constantly amazed at how you see color, shadows and texture. All the mediums you use and have shown on your blog have made me expand my comfort zone to discover what I like and what I am better at using. You are an amazing teacher! Thank you for sharing your art so generously and for your encouragement and inspiration!