In this final episode of The Sketchnote Army Podcast season 16, we’ve compiled the tips from nine great visual thinkers into a single episode. We hope these tips inspire and encourage you on your visual thinking journey. Happy New Year!

Tips from: Emily Mills, Joran Oppelt, Kelvy Bird, Javier Navarro, Blanche Ellis, Peter Durand, James Durno, Diana Ayoub, and Justin Hamacher.

Sponsored by ConceptsThe Concepts Sketchnote Workshop video — a unique, FREE, hands-on workshop video where I show you how I use the Concepts app to create sketchnotes on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil.

In this one-hour, eighteen-minute video, I cover:

  • The Infinite Canvas as a sketchnoting power feature
  • How vectors give you complete control of brushes and sizing as you create sketchnotes and
  • How vector elements let you size and repurpose your drawings for ultimate flexibility.

The workshop video includes answers to common questions about Concepts.

Watch the workshop video for FREE at:
https://rohdesign.com/concepts

Be sure to download the Concepts app at concepts.app and follow along with me during the workshop!

Buy me a coffee!If you enjoy this episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at https://sketchnotearmy.com/buymeacoffee

Running Order* Intro * Emily Mills * Joran Oppelt * Kelvy Bird * Javier Navarro * Blanche Ellis * Peter Durand * James Durno * Diana Ayoub * Justin Hamacher * Outro

LinksAmazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

  • Emily’s website
  • Joran on LinkedIn
  • Kelvy's website
  • Javier's website
  • Blanche's website
  • Peter’s website
  • James' website
  • Diana on LinkedIn

  • Justin on LinkedIn

  • Emily’s Tips1. Keep on experimenting.

  • Try something outside your practice but still creative.

  • Be careful when sketchnoting becomes work then find something else to supplement that joy factor.

  • Joran’s Tips1. Own the problem.

  • Break down the big thing into smaller digestible pieces.

  • Ask for help.

  • Kelvy’s Tips1. Experiment and try new tools/approaches.

  • Preserve a sense of mystery and beauty in your work.

  • Prioritize self-care both physically and mentally.

  • Javier’s Tips1. Don't be obsessed with perfect illustrations.

  • Work around your strengths.
  • Improve your craft one step at a time.
  • Ask clients a lot of questions before the onset of a project.
  • Prep a lot.
  • Always remember that it is all about the audience.

  • Train your mind to be visual 24 hours.

  • Blanche’s Tips1. Try different ways into the same activity.

  • Keep experimenting to find your style.
  • Keep a Sketchbook with you always.
  • Only show the kind of work you want to do.
  • Don't underestimate the background of being an entrepreneur as an artist.
  • Appreciate the part that you do well.

  • Drawing on public transport.

  • Peter’s Tips1. Create custom color palettes for each client/event.

  • Manage self-negative talk and nerves through preparations and rituals.
  • Approach your work as a gift to share rather than something to be self-conscious about.
  • Being positive and supportive of each other's work.

  • Look for inspiration from artists and eras that are not closely adjacent.

  • James’ Tips1. Slow down to speed up.

  • Abandon the idea of perfection. Practice, but practice makes proficient, not perfect.
  • Learning the rules, principles, and elements of what makes a good art.
  • Listening to understand.

  • A drawing is not just what we intend it to be but also how it's understood. Make sure that we get it right in terms of what we pack into a drawing.

  • Diana’s Tips1. Just doodle. Just let yourself go with the pen.

  • Keep a sketchbook on you all the time.
  • Talk to people. Find a community, a group of people who inspire and motivate you to think outside the box.

  • Join the Think Visual Meet-up.

  • Justin’s Tips1. Draw where you aren't conventionally permitted to do so. Push your boundaries of drawing.

  • Have the easiest materials possible that you will use.
  • Try to have you and your tools as close to each other as possible to develop that relationship and open those channels of expression and communication with yourself.

Credits* Producer: Alec Pulianas * Shownotes and transcripts: Esther Odoro * Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

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