The hottest Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

Needs more Flair

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Design Creativity Writing Tools
  1. The Paper Mate Flair pen is great for writing, especially in notebooks. Many people love how it writes smoothly and that it doesn't bleed through the pages.
  2. Using the Flair pen can be a bit tricky as it's water-based ink, which can fade if washed. Some people prefer more permanent inks after experiencing this.
  3. Despite past issues, the Flair pen is making a comeback in some people's writing routines because of its unique feel and style. It's fun to use and can bring creativity to note-taking.

Easter Eggs & Behind the Scenes of 100 Mighty Dragons

Am I Doing This Right? • 491 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Book Sketches
  1. The book '100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli' has detailed and fun illustrations, including epic title pages with dragons relaxing on sun chairs and rock & roll dragons in New York.
  2. The process of creating the book involved adjustments and decisions, like changing a dragon from two-headed to one-headed for clarity and making tweaks to keep the content appropriate for readers.
  3. The illustrations in the book include interesting Easter eggs like dragons eating tacos and a reference to Shrek, adding layers of fun and creativity to the overall story.
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off to the printers!!

vrk loves paper • 139 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Illustration Publishing Marketing Stationery
  1. The first issue of Pouch magazine is ready for printing. It has 50 pages packed with content for stationery lovers and journalers.
  2. A new cover design was created to better represent what Pouch is about. It now clearly targets a specific audience and reflects the magazine's fun vibe.
  3. The creator is taking time to develop Pouch carefully, treating the first issue as a pilot study to gauge interest and improve their skills in print design.

The Lone Toad Newsletter - March 2024

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Solo RPGs Games Illustration Newsletter
  1. The Lone Toad newsletter is going bi-monthly, offering more content and free-flowing thoughts on Solo RPG development.
  2. Exciting new RPG called Substratum Protocol by Pandion Games launching on Backerkit March 26th, offering a unique solo survival mystery experience.
  3. Croaker RPGs is continuously releasing new games like Night Terror and An Antique Land, with more to come like the Lost City of Cargoth, showcasing their dedication to creating engaging RPG content.

Saul Steinberg at play

Austin Kleon • 1338 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Cartoons Exhibitions Artists Art history
  1. Saul Steinberg was a unique artist who described himself as a 'writer who draws'. He inspired others to see art in new ways.
  2. His famous work, 'View of the World from 9th Avenue', is well-known and a great introduction to his style and ideas.
  3. Steinberg had a long history with 'The New Yorker' magazine, which showcases his diverse range of artistic styles and contributions.

5 books on images, the people who make them, and the people they make

On Looking • 159 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Books Creativity Art history Illustration
  1. Reading is an important skill for illustrators, helping them develop a deeper understanding of their work and the cultural systems in which it is embedded
  2. Books on creativity and image making provide insights into larger social narratives and systems, shifting the focus from individual success to broader contexts
  3. Exploring the history and processes behind image creation through books can enhance critical thinking and appreciation for the creative industry

Facing the Abyss

lettersonbeing • 216 implied HN points • 14 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry Authors Illustration
  1. The author shares a poem about uncharted territory and exploration.
  2. Consider becoming a paying subscriber to support the Letters on Being publication.
  3. The post also features recommendations like Abigail Ervin Penner's illustrations and a tribute to mothers.

The magic of the brush

Austin Kleon • 1398 implied HN points • 26 Oct 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Illustration Drawing Comics Creative Tools
  1. The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen is a great tool for drawing and writing. It helps spark creativity and makes it fun to express yourself on paper.
  2. Using a brush pen can change how you think about writing. Drawing slowly with it can free your mind, allowing deeper thoughts and ideas to flow.
  3. You can refill the brush pen with your own ink, which saves money and is more personal. It's easy to use, and you can experiment with different colors and styles.

the first one's the bad one!

vrk loves paper • 199 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🪑 Design Graphic design Product Design User Experience Illustration Creative Process
  1. When working on goals, it's better to focus on whether the problems that come with them are interesting and fulfilling for you. Every goal has challenges, so choose the ones you want to tackle.
  2. In design, it's important to sketch many different ideas, even if they seem odd or wrong at first. Your first attempt is usually not your best, so keep exploring different options.
  3. Using references that resonate with you can make the design process easier and more enjoyable. It's fine to start with things you're familiar with before branching out to more complex inspirations.

Z & Walker Behl: Storm the Capitol

Do Not Research • 39 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Installation Painting Graphic design Illustration
  1. The 'Insurrection in a Box - The Big Edition' game by Z & Walker Behl transforms the hit game 'Storm the Capitol' into a life size sculptural installation.
  2. The game involves moving avatars around the Capitol Building to find items like senator hostages and AOC's shoes, with the objective of reaching Trump's helicopter first.
  3. Using art to explore image power and its impact on politics, social media, and global capitalism challenges us to envision a new future, united in questioning established institutions.

Fishtank: Twice the Punishment is Nice, by Sean Kilpatrick

Safety Propaganda • 157 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Literature Poetry Writing Illustration
  1. Art imitates a transcendent principle that puts us back into communication with life.
  2. Fishtank challenges the current quality of art and aims to revenge against a decade of dissatisfaction.
  3. Hyde's work in "World Peace" and Fishtank pushes boundaries, warping metaphysical irony uniquely, introducing stakes to anti-comedy's structure.

Super Sundry, Vol. 3

Chartography • 157 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Charts Illustration Joy
  1. Data visualization talks emphasize importance of narrative and visual elements in making impactful charts.
  2. Illustrators showcase intricate and detailed works of art depicting Earth's geography and historical maps.
  3. Exploration of unique historical maps reveals the fascinating intersection of design, geography, and data.

TITLES & Lucky The Golden Goose

SÖREN JOHN • 59 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Models Data Ownership Creative Tools Entrepreneurship Illustration
  1. Creating is often influenced by our childhood experiences and the encouragement we received from our parents. These memories help shape what we pursue as adults.
  2. New tools and AI models are changing how artists can create and monetize their work. They can now use their own styles to produce content and earn from it.
  3. There's a growing need for better ways to manage ownership and compensation for artists in the digital world. It's important for them to retain control over their creations and benefit financially from their work.

The Cat in the HatGPT

Data People Etc. • 124 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Children's literature Digital Art Visual storytelling Character design Illustration
  1. The Cat in the HatGPT offers a unique perspective on the balance between excitement and responsibility.
  2. It highlights the clash between hype beasts who thrive on trends and cynics who resist change.
  3. Ultimately, the story prompts reflection on the influence of external pressures and the role of love in navigating the hype cycle.

🦕 in pursuit of an angry-enough dinosaur

vrk loves paper • 119 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Creative Process Illustration Digital Art
  1. Working for yourself can be really enjoyable and fulfilling, even if it's only been a short time. The freedom to set your own schedule can lead to a lot of excitement.
  2. Balancing social time can be trickier than expected. Meeting friends and networking is fun, but too many meetings can drain your social energy.
  3. Working on creative projects, like printers or art pieces, can be a great way to explore new ideas and keep yourself engaged while enjoying the process.

Reviews

The Lifeboat • 91 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration
  1. The story features Illarion Illarionovich, a filmmaker facing criticism for his work.
  2. The conversation between Illarion and Vitya revolves around the essence of their film and the criticism they receive.
  3. The dialogue explores the contrast between artistic truth and audience preferences.

Welcome to The (Im)Posture

On Looking • 239 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Creativity Capitalism Newsletter Community
  1. The newsletter 'The (Im)Posture' aims to offer a critical space for illustrators to engage beyond common industry narratives and delve into the complexities of the field.
  2. The author emphasizes illustration as an expertise and a critical practice, encouraging questioning and reflection on topics like creativity, capitalism, and ethics.
  3. Unlike most newsletters, there is no extra content for paid subscribers; the focus is on creating valuable work without monetary barriers, with an option for readers to support if they find the content adds value.

Forté #8

SJF • 58 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Illustration Books Inspiration
  1. Discover new inspirations from music, animations, and books.
  2. Appreciate the value of mindfulness in reading at places like the British Library.
  3. Improve personal growth and writing skills by practicing the art of noticing small details in everyday life.

Something fun...

Sunday Letters • 219 implied HN points • 18 Jul 22
🕹 Technology AI Tools Illustration Storytelling Innovation
  1. Using DALL-E as a creative tool can really enhance storytelling. It helps generate images from ideas in a fun and quick way.
  2. Iterating on images rather than expecting a perfect result on the first try is key. It allows for creativity and collaboration between the user and the AI.
  3. Continuity in style matters when creating a series of images. Curation and refining outputs can help achieve a more consistent look.