The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Warm Holiday Greetings from The Hinternet

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 639 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Media Community Creativity
  1. The author feels a strong connection to their work and has embraced writing authentically without worrying about others' opinions. This has helped them tap into deep creative ideas.
  2. In 2024, the publication grew significantly and became more like a magazine, bringing on staff and accepting guest pieces. This has created a sense of community among younger writers.
  3. The author hopes to increase paid subscriptions to support future projects and plans for 2025. They welcome all kinds of support, whether it's through subscriptions or simply sharing their work with others.

Sticking with it

Austin Kleon • 2617 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
📚 Literature Writing Creativity Artistry Motivation Passion
  1. You need to really love your idea when creating something. It has to come from a personal place and excite you deeply, because it will take a lot of time and effort to bring it to life.
  2. While you can brush off mean critics, sometimes it's the well-meaning people that can hurt your project the most. Their opinions matter to you, so be careful how much you let them influence your passion.
  3. If your project becomes successful, you'll be talking about it for many years. So, it's important to choose something you truly enjoy and can stay excited about for a long time.

The Point Of Posting | #286

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 246 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Writing Social media Community Creativity Personal Growth
  1. Posting online can be really rewarding, as it helps people sharpen their ideas and connect with others. It’s like brainstorming with a big group, which can boost creativity.
  2. However, it can also attract negativity as audiences grow, which can make sharing ideas feel overwhelming. It’s important to stay focused on personal goals and connections amidst the noise.
  3. The online space for sharing ideas has changed a lot, making it harder for new voices to be heard. Despite this, continuing to write and share is still a valuable endeavor, even if the environment is different.

The Curious Case of the Pearl Jam Posters

Webworm with David Farrier • 10299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists Posters Compensation Design Creativity
  1. An artist was asked to make posters for a Pearl Jam tour but was offered an unusual form of payment.
  2. There were mixed reactions from artists who had similar deals with bands like Pearl Jam, with some feeling undervalued.
  3. The case raises questions about fair compensation for artists and the value of their work, sparking a conversation about artist payment standards.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Working titles

Austin Kleon • 1718 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Creativity Culture
  1. Finding the right title for your work can be a tough job. It often involves trying different combinations of words until something feels right.
  2. There are different styles of titles, like poetic or descriptive, and each has its own appeal. Sometimes, getting the opinion of others can help you figure out what works best.
  3. Even great titles can face skepticism from others. Just because someone isn’t confident in a title doesn't mean it won't be successful.

Meeting yourself again

Austin Kleon • 2118 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Creativity Memory Reflection Generosity
  1. Looking back at old memories can be joyful and inspire connection with others. Digging through old photos can bring back happy moments that you might have forgotten.
  2. Sometimes, what starts as a chore, like cleaning out photo storage, can turn into a fun trip down memory lane. You may find sentimental photos and reminders of good times.
  3. Revisiting past work or memories isn't just about nostalgia; it can spark new ideas for the future. Reflecting on what you've done can help guide where you want to go next.

100 things that made my year

Austin Kleon • 9152 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Life events Creativity Family Personal Growth Community
  1. Celebrating small joys can boost happiness, like watching nature unfold around you or enjoying simple meals with family.
  2. Connections with friends and family, whether through conversations or shared activities, are vital for a fulfilling life.
  3. Taking time for self-reflection and personal growth helps you appreciate the present and improves overall well-being.

The Questioning Substack Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1387 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Media Publishing Creativity Trends
  1. Substack has become popular, but not all new writers bring valuable content. Some just add noise instead of fresh ideas.
  2. Substack is shifting from being a platform for written words to focusing on creators and video content, which may dilute its original purpose.
  3. There's a need for better writing and opinions in newsletters that are not just about making money or following trends; writing should matter more than affiliate links.

A Time of Gifts

Patti Smith • 6387 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Visual art
  1. The post is the final installment of a series called The New Jerusalem
  2. The author discusses responding to difficult times with art, music, poetry, theater, dance, and film
  3. Patti Smith expresses appreciation for the engagement and shares an image of a youth with birds

Dreaming and Fighting

Animation Obsessive • 5112 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Animation Storytelling Social Issues Creativity
  1. Art isn't just a way to escape problems; it can inspire change and make a difference in the world. It can connect people and provoke thoughts about important issues.
  2. Artists throughout history have fought through tough times to create meaningful work. Their stories remind us that creativity can thrive even in challenging circumstances.
  3. The process of making art can be just as valuable as the final product. Different ways of telling stories and sharing ideas can open new paths for inspiration and understanding.

On quantity and quality

Austin Kleon • 3776 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Inspiration Education Literature Philosophy
  1. Making lots of work can actually help you create better work in the long run. The more you create, the more you learn from your mistakes.
  2. Focusing too much on making everything perfect can hold you back. If you worry less about perfection, you might surprise yourself with something great.
  3. The idea is that practicing quantity helps improve quality. It's about taking action and experimenting instead of just thinking about what could be perfect.

I’m building a cooperative media ecosystem

The Novelleist • 2736 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Writing Collaboration Creativity Community
  1. The goal is to create a media platform owned by the writers, not big media companies. This helps ensure that stories and ideas come from creative individuals, fostering a better media environment.
  2. Instead of focusing on problems, the aim is to spark ideas and solutions for a better future together. This will include publishing various themes in print magazines and books, sharing profits fairly.
  3. The plan involves inviting other writers to collaborate on projects, learning from the process, and slowly building a community. It's about teamwork to make meaningful content and potentially inspire change.

Criticize by Creating

Polymathic Being • 66 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🚌 Education Innovation Creativity Collaboration Critical Thinking Communication
  1. Instead of criticizing ideas, try to build on them. Use 'Yes, and...' instead of 'Yes, but...' to create a more positive and innovative environment.
  2. Critiquing should focus on improving ideas, not tearing them down. A true critic aims to develop ideas into something better.
  3. Collaboration and combining ideas lead to greater innovation. Working together allows us to see new possibilities that we might miss when thinking alone.

Understanding perfectionism

Austin Kleon • 2837 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Art Psychology Creativity Self-Improvement Personal Development
  1. Perfectionism isn't just about wanting everything to be perfect. It's more about noticing the gap between what's ideal and what's real, which can hold people back from creating.
  2. Many people may not realize they are perfectionists until they understand the signs. Recognizing this can help in overcoming blocks to doing what you want.
  3. Embracing imperfections can actually be a more freeing approach to creativity. It allows for mistakes and messiness, which can lead to more genuine art and expression.

My favorite artist

Austin Kleon • 4036 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Artists Drawing Creativity
  1. Many artists believe that all kids are born artists because they naturally create and imagine. Staying artistic is about keeping that sense of wonder and creativity as we grow up.
  2. A personal story highlights the moment a child started drawing, showing that creativity can start at a young age. Encouragement from parents helps nurture this talent.
  3. The act of drawing and creating is a joyful and playful experience, often leading to spontaneous and fun discoveries in art.

The Invisible Force Blocking Your Creativity

Changing The Channel • 6039 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity Self-doubt Criticism Mental health
  1. Resistance is an invisible force that aims to prevent us from pursuing our deepest desires and goals.
  2. Procrastination is a common manifestation of Resistance and serves as an easy way to rationalize avoiding our work.
  3. Critics and naysayers, including those close to us, may stem from their own fears and insecurities, projecting them onto our creative endeavors.

Look Before You Leap

The Leap • 1738 implied HN points • 21 May 24
📚 Literature Writing Storytelling Psychology Communication Creativity
  1. Writing is a commitment to your readers. It's important to share your thoughts and connect with them, even if it feels like work sometimes.
  2. You shouldn't wait for the perfect moment to take risks. Embrace uncertainty and jump in, even if you feel scared or unsure.
  3. This newsletter will cover various topics and ideas. It's a space for exploration, so expect different subjects and personal insights.

what I learned this year about love and work

bookbear express • 588 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Community Personal Growth Relationships Creativity Writing Work-life balance
  1. Writing brings joy and a sense of fulfillment, and it's important to keep exploring what works best for you in this creative space.
  2. Building connections and helping others find love enriches life and can create a strong sense of community.
  3. Navigating conflicts in relationships gets easier with practice, and focusing on reducing tension can lead to more peaceful interactions.

Empty Laughter

Where's Your Ed At • 16914 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Artificial Intelligence Plagiarism Entertainment Creativity
  1. Art should be unique and come from personal experiences, not generated by AI or copied from others.
  2. Creativity is limited by the individual, and the magic of art comes from the context and experiences of the artist.
  3. Plagiarism and reliance on generative AI for art creation show a lack of curiosity, entitlement, and a desire to imitate rather than create.

When life is a metaphor

SPARC '24 JC Blog • 199 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
🚌 Education Learning Pedagogy Creativity Personal Growth Social Skills
  1. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth. Trying new activities and meeting different people helps you learn more about yourself.
  2. Learning can happen in unexpected ways. Sometimes, you realize you've grown just by reflecting on your experiences rather than actively studying something new.
  3. Creating a supportive social group can inspire creativity and curiosity. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals makes it easier to explore new ideas and develop your passions.

Spend it all every time

Austin Kleon • 7593 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art Writing Media Creativity Community
  1. It's important to share all your good ideas right now and not hold back for later. You might find that more inspiration comes your way when you give your best work now.
  2. Writing should be approached with the mindset that each piece is your last chance. Don’t be afraid to put everything you have into it because new ideas will always come.
  3. Everything in life can inspire your work, so be open to stealing ideas from your experiences. This can lead to richer creativity and storytelling.

Hooked On A Feeling

Everything Is Amazing • 923 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Storytelling Literature Creativity Emotions
  1. Good writing should make readers feel something. When words connect with the senses, it creates a deeper experience, almost making them live the moment.
  2. Felt writing is more impactful because it uses vivid details to evoke memories and emotions. This helps the reader connect with the story and remember it better.
  3. Mastering felt writing can help you communicate more effectively. It's about picking the right details to engage readers quickly and make every word count.

Joy in repetition

Austin Kleon • 3597 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Tradition Creativity
  1. Doing the same thing over and over can be joyful instead of boring. It may help you learn and create in ways you didn't expect.
  2. Repetition can turn challenging tasks into enjoyable habits. When you keep practicing, you may end up loving what you once found hard.
  3. Life is full of cycles and routines, and we should embrace them. Recognizing the beauty in repetition can lead to happiness and creativity.

A Note of Gratitude to My Readers

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 6050 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Museum Paintings Inspiration Creativity
  1. The newsletter is supported by paying subscribers who help keep the content accessible to all, without a paywall, allowing everyone to enjoy the material equally.
  2. Writing and reading serve as powerful tools during tough times, providing companionship, creativity, and a way to connect with oneself and others.
  3. The importance of free access to art and culture, as demonstrated by the St. Louis Art Museum's commitment to being free for all, supported by voluntary contributions and public funding.

The Topography of Thought Edition

Why is this interesting? • 965 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🚌 Education Writing Research Learning Cognition Creativity
  1. Your writing style can show how you think and might predict your success. It's not just about the words you use, but how you organize your ideas.
  2. Some people can express a lot of different ideas briefly, while others might take longer to get through them. This can affect how effectively they communicate their thoughts.
  3. Understanding how successful people manage their ideas can help us improve our own writing and storytelling skills. It’s useful to have data to back up what we believe about writing.

Holiday practice

Austin Kleon • 5275 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Parenting Self-care Holidays
  1. Artists need to create to feel their best. Taking breaks is okay, but too long without art can make life harder.
  2. Finding small ways to practice art during busy times, like the holidays, helps keep us feeling whole. Even a little time for creativity matters.
  3. Making space and time for creativity is key. You can get creative with when and where you practice, like being active when others are asleep or using portable materials.

Adjusting the Levels in Revision

Counter Craft • 717 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing Fiction Revision Narrative Creativity
  1. Revision is a critical part of writing where your draft transforms into a book. It's exciting because you see your ideas take shape, but it can also feel tough as you have to make tough choices about what stays and what goes.
  2. Writers typically fall into two categories: cutters and expanders. Cutters like to trim down their drafts, while expanders focus on building up their stories with more detail.
  3. It's important to maintain a balanced narrative throughout your story. This means looking at how much dialogue, description, and action you have in each chapter to ensure the pacing and flow of the book feels consistent.

The Novelty Famine

The Bigger Picture • 2995 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Society Creativity Spirituality Technology Tradition
  1. Novelty is a transformative force that can counter endless repetition in culture. We are living through a novelty famine where everything feels tired and commoditized.
  2. Traditionalism and spirituality are making a comeback as people seek freshness in a world saturated with repetitive content.
  3. Creating the conditions for revelation to transform culture involves aligning with the sacred, listening for its song, and fostering moments of awe that render our existing categories obsolete.

A Substack Sabbatical

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 746 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Writing Creativity Lifestyle Education
  1. Taking a break, or a sabbatical, can help refresh your creativity. Just like nature needs rest, people often need time away from their usual work to recharge.
  2. Publishing consistently can be tough, and it's okay to change the schedule. Writing less often can lead to better quality pieces that you're prouder of.
  3. A sabbatical is a great time to explore new ideas and bring fresh energy to your projects. It can lead to exciting changes, like a new name or focus for your work.

Idea gardens

Austin Kleon • 3976 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Art Metaphor Gardening Writing
  1. Creative ideas grow like plants, and they take time to develop. Just like gardening, you need to nurture your ideas to see them flourish.
  2. Not every idea will succeed, and that's okay. Some ideas might not grow well or will need more attention as you work on them.
  3. It's important to revisit your ideas over time. By looking back at your creations, you can see what ideas are worth pursuing and what needs to be pruned away.

Why don’t you try typing?

Austin Kleon • 4056 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Storytelling Acting Creativity Books
  1. Writing can feel really difficult, and it often brings back memories of hard school assignments. It's important to remember that writing doesn't have to be a punishment; it can also be a creative and enjoyable process.
  2. Like the actors who approach their roles differently, we can also choose how we face challenges in our creative work. Sometimes, maybe we just need to jump in and start, rather than overthink it.
  3. Getting caught up in complicated planning can make us feel stuck. Instead, putting our fingers to the keyboard and just typing can help us make real progress on our ideas.

Every writing book is good

Austin Kleon • 3317 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Books Authors Creativity
  1. Every writing book can help you start writing. Even if it feels hard, just getting words on a page is a big step.
  2. It's normal for your first drafts to be messy and not great. Writing is a process, and you can fix things up later.
  3. Writing can be tough for everyone, no matter how many books you've written. It's okay to feel challenged and scared about creating something new.

The 2023 Kleon Studios Gift Guide

Austin Kleon • 5235 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Personal Projects
  1. Books make great gifts for creative people, especially titles that inspire and help them with their work. Consider gifting titles like 'Steal Like an Artist' or 'Show Your Work!'.
  2. A one-line-a-day diary is an easy and fun way to keep track of thoughts and moments over time. It's a great gift for anyone wanting to start journaling.
  3. Creative tools like unique pencils, notebooks, and art supplies can spark joy and inspiration. Kits and bundles with these items can be thoughtful gifts for artists and writers.

Day 10. Delight: BLIND CONTOUR DRAWING!

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 3930 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Drawing Creativity Instruction Technique
  1. Blind contour drawing focuses on HOW we draw, not just WHAT we draw.
  2. Blind contour drawing helps connect our eyes and hands, improving drawing skills and teaching us to really SEE.
  3. Blind contour drawing encourages us to let go of expectations and focus on the process of drawing, leading to fun and transformative experiences.

The Erosion of Taste in the Age of Mass Production

Superfluid • 92 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Taste Creativity Media Art Technology
  1. Taste can't be simplified into a formula or process. It's something unique that comes from genuine understanding and experience, not just copying others.
  2. There's a danger in mass production and optimization. It leads to mediocrity and a lack of real creativity, which can hurt genuine innovation.
  3. True Taste involves seeing connections between different ideas and fields. It's about creativity and thinking deeply, not just following trends or patterns.