See that video up there above the title? That’s the teaser. The full video is embedded below. But first, let me tell you about this.
I’ve been working on ways to make this Substack newsletter work better for me, and for you, dear reader. I’ve really leaned into the “random” side of Random Orbit since its launch a bit more than two years ago. Originally that was by design, but as I began making plans for this thing to be the vehicle for regular progress reports on a graphic novel I’m drawing as well as the place I announce new projects, tell you about my cats, and go deep into the process of how I make the things I make, I started to have other ideas as well. One of these ideas was a section called Sitting Around Talking About Art Supplies. Initially, I thought this would be short written bit in my regular newsletter about the pens and pencils and digital tools that I am using that week. But over a couple of long runs in the woods, where I often stumble upon my more ridiculous ideas, I began to get ambitious.
It’s basically like Bob Ross.
The idea is that each week I’ll post a short video where I am talking about my tools and the things I make with them. It might be the pens and pencils I’m using in a children’s book project. It might be something new I found at Blick. I’m using the term “art supply” loosely here — I’ll have the traditional art-making tools, of course. But I’ll be talking about some of my favorite Procreate brushes, my chisels, my stacks of collage materials, maybe even my table saw. Anything I use to make my work is game.
But wait, there’s more!
As I get the hang of this, because to be honest I am a bit out of my depth right now,1 I hope to talk to other artists and illustrators and find out what they use to make whatever they make. In fact, this might be the thing I look forward to the most. I’m as guilty as anyone for wanting to know what people use to make the things they make, and I can’t wait to open these doors and ask these questions.
As far as how this will dovetail with my normal activities here, bear with me a bit while I figure this out. I recently turned on a paid tier for this newletter,2 where I’ll be posting longer posts about my work and the graphic novel. Sitting Around Talking About Art Supplies (let’s call it SATAAS!) will always be free. Sort of a way to get the reader in the door here. I’ll still send a regular Random Orbit newsletter when I’ve got something to talk about. For instance, a new book, some opening or event, cat photos.
But don’t call me a vlogger
I’m always happy when someone forwards one of my newsletters to a friend. This is important to me more than ever right now. Please share this video series with anyone you know who is into this sort of thing. People love their tools, and they have opinions about weird pens, and I think they’ll appreciate you telling them about it! I’ve created a YouTube channel, and I hope you like and subscribe there as well.
Since we’re talking about art supplies: the video was shot with a Canon Powershot V1. The graphics were made with Photoshop and After Effects, and the music with Ableton Live and a drum machine. Then it’s all edited in Premiere Pro. Thanks to Jon for the lighting advice, and Sacha for insisting I look okay on video, plus everything else Sacha does.
Check out this photo of my drawing table with new and borrowed lights, the camera with the microphone... Brave new world.
Thanks for reading.
Learning to light my studio, set up the camera and microphone, and edit the resulting video. I’ve done these things before, but never all at once.
I know there are too many illustrators and too many newsletter subscriptions. I think what I’ve got planned will be interesting and clever, and worth your five bucks. Let me know if you want a free trial. I think Substack has that feature.
