I combined Day 7 (Pattern) and Day 8 (Sunglasses) with today's Inktober Fall Fashion prompt.
You can check out my other entries here.
8 Ways to Fix Your Instagram Profile
The change in seasons always feels like a good time to look around and refresh the things in your life that may have become a little stale. Your online brand and social media presence is no exception. So this week I propose that we start an Instagram clean-up together.
Why? Because you know what you do, what services you provide, what you stand for, and what your brand is all about - but is your Instagram profile really communicating that to new friends and fans that are seeing it for the first time?
First, join our Facebook group so you can share your progress and results - then read through the checklist below and see where you might be going wrong.
Part 1: What’s in your bio?
Is my bio super relevant?
- You only get 150 characters, make every one of them count!
- Leave out that you are a mom, wife, mother, dog-lover and only put in what is really relevant to your brand.
Is it clear what I do?
- Clear trumps clever every time.
- For example, instead of saying: ‘I make pretty things to brighten your world’ try: ‘I’m an illustrator, specializing in pattern, bright colors, and hand lettering.’
Do I have a strong call-to action?
- Always, always, always tell people what you want them to do next, and how they can reach you.
- With Instagram’s new business accounts you can add a contact button right on your profile, but it never hurts to tell people what to do either. You could say ‘Download your free _____’ and include a link to that specific page or opt-in on your website.
Is my profile pic easy to see, relevant and professional?
- People like connecting with real human beings, so help them do that.
- The mistakes I see most often are pics that are too far away (especially when cropped into that tiny little Instagram circle on someone’s phone), pics with family or friends (this is all about you my dear), using pets or kids, or underexposed / poorly taken photos. If you don’t have a professionally-taken portrait at least make sure it has good lighting, a clear background, and is close enough that most of the frame is filled with your face!
To download the rest of the checklist, enter your email below.
Also, check out my guide on how to spend less time on social media, but DOUBLE your results! I've been gaining 180 new followers a week on Instagram by following these tips.
Inktober Update
I had a busy couple of days and got a little behind on my #InktoberFF drawings, so I combined Day 4 (Jacket), Day 5 (Gloves) and Day 6 (Purse) so I could get back on track.
Here's a timelapse of my drawing:
Even though I got a bit behind, some other talented folk have been posting away for each of the daily prompts. Take a look at their work on the Instagram hashtag.
And it's still not too late to join, visit my original blog post to see all the daily prompts and join in whenever you have time. Happy Inktober!
Ballet Slippers
Today is World Ballet Day! And as someone who took Classical Ballet for 19 years - yep NINETEEN years (along with Jazz Ballet, Tap Dancing, Hip Hop, Street Funk, Bollywood, and more) I can't resist some pretty pointe shoes.
So in honor of Ballet Day, I created this watercolor painting, and made it available in my newly-opened Etsy store. It would be perfect for a nursery or little girl's room. Check it out.
You can also get it printed onto cushions, make-up bags / pencil cases, and more:
Inktober Day 3: Scarf
he prompt for Day 3 of #InktoberFF is 'scarf' so I illustrated one of my favorite Kate Spade scarves — which has a travel / map motif in pale pinks and grays.
I used watered-down Dr Ph. Martin's India Ink in layers to create a softer effect, and then Staedtler Fine Liners in gray to outline.
My lovely online friend Colifichets has been kind enough to give us a 10% off coupon for her gorgeous, hand-bound books (like the one I'm using in the video). She made my and my sister's wedding guest books and now she's making beautiful sketchbooks and watercolor journals too! Go check them out and use code 'BROWNPAPERBUNNY' for your discount! http://www.etsy.com/shop/Colifichets
It's not too late to join the Inktober Fall Fashion challenge, you can dip in whenever you have time. The prompts (and all of my entries so far) can be found here.
Inktober Day 2: Ankle Boots
The second prompt in the Inktober Fall Fashion challenge is 'Ankle Boots'. My submission is inspired by the Edyn boots at a local boutique, Sole Mates.
It's not too late to join in the challenge - check out all the details here.
Inktober Day 1: Flannel
Please note: This blog post contains affiliate links, which help pay for the upkeep of this site. That being said, I will never, ever promote anything I am not 100% in love with!
Inktober is a month-long challenge than happens every year in October. I joined in a couple of years ago, and it's become one of my favorite challenges! This year I came up with my own fashion-related prompts for each day. (I'd love for you to join in by the way - check out my last blog post).
Here is Day 1: Flannel
I used Dr Ph Martin's Bombay India Ink, Micron Pens, Liquitex Markers (which I suppose are technically paint - but shh, don't tell anyone), and Winsor & Newton Cotman Brushes.
First I sketched out my drawing using pencil, then went over it with grey pens, and erased as much of the pencil lines as I could without scrubbing up the ink lines. Then I used red India Ink to create the 'splashy' side of the flannel, and more neatly color in the right-hand side.
Once that was dry I used a watered down teal India Ink in stripes over the red to create the flannel look. I also used teal to create some background texture in the upper right corner.
I then painted on some pale yellow ink on some strands of her hair, and used watered down magenta ink on her lips and cheeks.
Lastly I busted out the Liquitex marker in bright yellow to make some of her hair pop a little more, and to add some detail to the bottom left corner.
I added a couple of faint triangles in photoshop, because I felt like the big white area of her jeans was a little too plain. And voila - all done!
I'd love to know what you think of this slightly looser and messier style - often my illustrations are very neat. ;)
Inktober Fall Fashion
Inktober happens every October, and it's all about challenging yourself to draw more regularly, and experiment with ink. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a bit stuck for inspiration when I'm doing monthly challenges, so I've put together this list of Fall fashion prompts.
Why don't you join me! Do as many or as few as you like, no pressure. Tag your pics on Instagram and Twitter with #InktoberFF (Inktober Fall Fashion) so we can all play together!
If you're looking for some good Inktober drawing materials to try out, here are a few of my favorites.
- Dr. Ph Martin's Bombay India Ink (comes in a range of colors)
- Winsor and Newton Cotman watercolor brushes (to use with the India Ink)
- Fluid Watercolor Paper (works great with the India Ink)
- Liquitex Paint Markers - I know I know, they're paint, but they're in marker form so they count ;)
- Micron Fineliner Pens
- Marker Paper or Xerox Paper (nice and smooth for the Micron Pens)
I'll be posting my entries to @BrownPaperBunny on Instagram, and of course, right here on the blog too. Leave a comment with a link to your Instagram account or blog so we can all check out your work too
