Seven Things We Learned from the Art and DIY Panel at Summer in the City 2019

There’s a lot consider as an artist, from finding your niche to protecting your copyright. Thankfully, seasoned YouTube artists Chloe Dungate, Jamie Jo, Ed Stockham and more have the advice you need!

The Art and DIY panel took place on Saturday on the Lifestyle Stage at Summer in the City 2019. It was moderated by Chloe Dungate and featured Chloe Rose, Ed Stockham, Jamie Jo, and Laura Brouwers.

1. People steal art, a lot

Unfortunately, although the internet is a great place to promote your work, it seems it comes with a fair amount of theft.

Jamie described a time when her video was stolen. As the thief got Facebook Rights Manager they now technically own and can reuse her videos. She advised everybody get Facebook Rights Manager to ensure they keep the rights to everything they produce.

As it turns out, Jamie’s not alone in this. Chloe Rose once had her art stolen and sold on a mug and Ed’s drawings were once put up on someone else’s online portfolio.

Laura pointed out that if somebody steals and attempts to sell your art you at least have legal recourse. She faced a difficult situation when people used her art as their avatars on Twitter and posted hateful content.

2. There’s no right or wrong way to warm up

After Chloe Dungate pointed out that she had only recently discovered the importance of warming up before drawing, the panellists proceeded to discuss how they warm-up.

Ed suggested circles and spirals, whereas Chloe Rose admitted that she doesn’t warm up, but re-draws her first sketch several times when she first gets going.

Laura also has no specific warm-up exercises but thinks that she produces her best art at the end of the day and Jamie often starts her projects impulsively and doesn’t warm up.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re struggling though, you can take a leaf out of Ed’s sketchbook and draw a page of circles first!

Photo by Christy Ku

3. You’ve already found your niche – it’s you!

According to the panellists, your niche and artistic style is kind of already there. It’s a part of your personality that is reflected in what you create.

However, the panel advised that you should try lots of styles when you first start out and see what you become most comfortable with.

4. Digital art has value

Chloe Rose began with digital art and often struggled to reconcile that with creating artistic content on YouTube, so she does less of it now as a result.

This sparked a discussion about how digital art is very commonly perceived to be an ‘easy’ option when it’s actually still drawing.

Despite the fact that it’s easier to rectify mistakes digitally, it’s still an art form that requires a lot of work. There’s no magic ‘draw it for me’ button, as is often assumed.

5. DeviantArt is making a comeback (apparently)

Remember DeviantArt? Well, it’s where Laura first started sharing her art.

The panellists reminisced about DeviantArt ‘memes’, and we aren’t talking 30-50 feral hogs here, these memes were art challenges that helped people like Laura develop their style.

According to Ed, Deviantart is making a comeback and frankly, we support this.

6. You don’t need to be freelance to be an artist

Particularly in artistic fields, there is a belief you should be or at least should want to be, an independent creator. However, you really don’t have to do that to be an artist.

In the words of Jamie “If you do art you can call yourself an artist.”

Ed explained that he works for a company in an artistic capacity and creates art for himself in his free time. There are always jobs to be found for artists in areas such as graphic design and animation.