Category: Updates

The surprising reason artists should consider streaming as they work.

Recently, I started to stream on Twitch; having my screen displayed for anyone to come along and view as I draw and work on my art projects.  And I discovered something that surprised me. In fact, I found it surprising, yet powerful enough, to write this out in the hopes it will help other artists.  Let me quickly explain why I decided to try streaming, and then I’ll let you know the new, and I think better, reason why I continue.

First, why did I start streaming my art?  Probably for the same reasons that other artists would try it: hoping to expand my audience through a different website, let those who already know me watch my process, and maybe earn a little extra money.  Simple, and straightforward. I’ve seen other artists be on Twitch, and know that it is a place that artists can be seen, so figured I would go for it.

 

However, so far, none of these have had the same impact as this next effect of streaming: my productivity went up.  This is for a very simple reason. People are, or may be, watching.  And since my channel is an art channel, when I know people could pop on at any time, it helps me to maintain focus on my art for longer than I often do otherwise. Not getting distracted by anything else, or even being bored.  The idea that I am on here, and people (in theory) are here to watch me, helps me keep at the thing they would be here to watch.  And I’ve found it helps even when I have no viewers – as I said, someone COULD pop on.  Plus it helps my time to be more set aside for art, rather than just “when I feel like it.” Once I have the stream, I personally felt more accountable to myself and those who follow me.

 

Someone might wonder if the chat can be distracting. In one sense, yes. But I found that I can look up, see what people are saying, and talk in response, while continuing to draw.  

 

So that’s it.  Streaming helps me be productive. Or it has in the couple of weeks I have been streaming for.  While the reasons I started are valid reasons, and I certainly hope my streams will grow in those areas, this productivity surprised me, and is the reason I think artists should consider streaming.

If you’re interested in my streams, you can find my channel and see old streams (or catch the live ones!) at Twitch.tv/MichaelHoweArts

New Year 2019 Updates and Information!

Hello everyone!   Happy New Year!

(New Year’s Day is totally in March, right? Right? Oh, ok…)

I have a lot of information about this last year and what I’m planning and hoping for 2019!

Last Year, Michael:

 

– Graduated from Art School!

I received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration, with a focus on Sequential Design. It was a long haul, but so glad to be done. I was so happy to be with the graduating class I was in! We had a big show, with many amazing pieces!

 

– Had a great time at Denver Comic Con 2018!

I think it was one of my best years financially, but I know it was some of the most fun I’ve had there. Learned to focus on talking with people, and making my art, and having fun, not worrying about making sales. Had some fun commissions at the Con, and with my sister-in-law helping at the booth, my wife and I were able to wander more and go see panels and David Tennant!

 

 

 

 

 

– Did 50 Marvel sketch cards for Upper Deck! 

This was such a neat opportunity to get to work with Marvel and X-Men characters in some sort of official capacity. These original sketches were distributed randomly into the Fleer Ultra X-Men 2018 card packs.

 

 

You can see the full collection of 50 cards on my previous blog post.

 

 

– Spent a couple of weeks after school on a Webtoon for a competition.

My friend Chad Beninati (http://handicapehero.com/) wrote out the beginnings of a fantasy story and I drew it. You can find what we got done here (it’s better on mobile devices): https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/the-knight-and-the-rat-king/list?title_no=220795

It was a bit of a personal challenge since the contest went on for a few months, but with school, I worked on it for only about a month, max. It was fun, but the speed certainly shows. Still, I think it was a good start.

 – Went to Scotland!!! 

My wife Emily and I had been planning a trip to Scotland for after I finished school. We went at the end of October/beginning of November 2018.

It was amazing and incredible: the place, the history, the locale, the exploring, and getting to spend so much time with each other without going to work or school. We stayed in Glasgow and Edinburgh, explored both those cities a bit, as well as traveled to Stirling and Loch Ness!

 – Started selling art on RedBubble!

I’ve uploaded some art and logos I’ve done to a RedBubble Store!

I love the printing they do on their shirts – my wife and brother both have one, and they hold up really well and have quality printing done, not just a cheap iron-on. So go check it out!

– Visited the doctor at the beginning of December

to finally get some hand and wrist pain I had been having for months looked at. They said they suspected a strained flexor and actually had me stop drawing for about a month and on disability from my workplace for two months. It seemed like would be a problem, but was actually kinda nice, to take a step back from the art and my job. I got to spend the holidays with my wife and family without anything really pulling me away, and I was able to spend time praying, reading, refocusing and reconnecting with people. It reminded me that I am a person apart from my artwork and job, which is something I need reminding of.

This year:

– I submitted a proposal to the Adobe Creative Residency competition!

My entry is one of the comic projects I’ve been working on for a little while, called The Artist and the Half-Orc.

 

The winner receives a job and payment to work on their creative, career-pushing project! So IF I were to win, that would become a huge thing, and of course, modify the plans I have for this year.

– I have some other comics projects I would like to work on and finish, including:

My interpretation and variation of Killer Wolf, a public domain script created by Justin Prime, which you can find details on Here.

 

– I’d also like to keep pushing my digital painting and keep taking commissions.

Here’s some progress pics from a commission I’m working on of my brother’s Bard/sorcerer character from DnD.

That’s all for now! 

I hope this “New” Year is going great for you! I’d love to hear what things you’re up to, excited for, or planning for the future, so please shoot me a message!

“May you always have light for your feet.”
Tales of Warriors and Wanderers Issue 0

Michael Howe

Buy my comics on IndyPlanet

My comics are available for purchase on the IndyPlanet site, both as physical and digital copies:  http://www.indyplanet.us/brands/michael-howe-arts/

My IndyPlanet Store

Current titles available:

  • Tales of Warriors and Wanderers Issue 0
  • The Lost Captain

COMICS!

Well, I finished a short comic all my own IP!  It’s the first in a planned series of stories, which are not always related – like Tales of Fantasy back in the day.  Each issue can, but doesn’t have to be, a completely new story/universe.

Sent this comic to Ka-Blam printers yesterday, so I will hopefully have it at Denver Comic Con!

It should also be available at IndyPlanet once they have that ready.

Inktober and School and stuff! Busy busy!

So lately I have been BUSY!  Artistically speaking, I have a digital painting commission, comic pages, Inktober drawings, and schoolwork all to do, plus little sketches here and there.  (That’s not counting all the rest of my life with work and my new wife!)

The Inktober challenge, created by Mr. Jake Parker, has been really fun so far.  I made a list of the drawings I wanted to have, and even sketched some out in advance. They are all illustrations for a fantasy story I have written the overall plot and many scenes from. I wanted to do them in a coloring book style so that I could publish that.  You can see all my drawings as well as some of the stuff from my other projects at my instagram!

And the Inktobers will be posted here soon!

Up and Running!

Well, after a few days of quirky things including a computer simply not wanting to upload to the site, michaelhowearts.com is up and running!

There is still progress to be made: I need to upload a lot more art to each category, and of course keep making art!

Also, I have worked out a new design for my business cards to include this website, as well as my Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, all in a correct manner.  So hopefully traffic will increase.

Have plans for some fun art pieces, including fan art of Rey from Force Awakens, the characters from Jim Butcher’s Aeronaut’s Windlass, and images and comics of my original characters!

Stay tuned!