What are Facebook Secret Messages?

If you read my last post about Facebook and Instagram features you'll know that there are a whole host of new things being tested out right now. 

One that is starting to be rolled out to some Facebook users is Secret Messages. 

It's only available on the Facebook mobile Messenger App right now, and here's what it looks like:

First you'll get a pop up notification asking if you want to use your device for secret conversations. If you click 'ok' you'll then have access to the new secret message feature.

You'll be able to set the time limit for messages to be visible after they've been seen. Then POOF, they're gone!

You can send photos from your camera roll, take a new photo, or send text messages. I wasn't able to send video, but that might be a feature that we'll see in the future. 

I feel very 'Inspector Gadget' sending secret messages that will self-destruct! 

It isn't really any different to Snapchat now, but by calling it 'Facebook Secret Messages' they've made me feel like a spy on an important mission — which adds a whole other level of fun to it. Well done Facebook, very clever.

Denver Fashion Weekend: Fall '16

Denver Fashion Weekend is coming up and I am SO excited! I've been to Sydney Fashion Week in Australia and a host of other fashion shows since I arrived in the USA, but never to Colorado's biggest fashion event!

The organizers (303 Magazine) have been kind enough to give me a discount code for you too — just enter '303Blogger' to get 10% off: http://bit.ly/DFWFall16

I'm going to be doing a little live sketching from some of the shows, and I'll definitely be doing a round-up back here on the blog afterwards! Make sure you're following me on Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter for all the live action!

via GIPHY

Be Yourself

We've been having a lot of discussion lately, about authenticity and being your true self as an artist, in an art journal group I'm a part of.

With the internet comes ready access to other artist's work, and also praise and criticism of our own creations via social media and other online channels. Does this seep into our subconscious and ultimately influence what we create? Leave a comment and let me know what you think? 

This quote by Judy Garland always sums it up well for me — I just have to keep reminding myself.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. —Judy Garland

Inktober Day 31: Halloween

I can't believe we've reached the end of the Inktober Fall Fashion Challenge! A whole month of drawing and painting using only ink. Even though I fell behind at times, I always had a lot of fun catching up, and creating all of these fashion illustrations! 

The very last prompt was 'Halloween' so I drew these four cute costumes I found on Pinterest. Cactus, Popcorn, Cotton Candy and Ice-Cream. And it just occurred to me that they are almost all food-themed — maybe I need to go eat something. ;)

What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year? 

Inktober Day 29 (Fringe) and Day 30 (Accessories)

In a bid to catch up on my Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge prompts I combined Day 29 and Day 30, to create this gold 1920s Flapper dress — with jeweled hair clip and two-toned shoes. I had a lot of fun with this one, and I used to have a black dress (and shoes) just like this. :)

Check out all my other Inktober drawings here. 

Inktober Day 26 (Blazer), Day 27 (Plaid), Day 28 (Skirt)

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!

Maybe it's the touch of Scottish heritage in me but I love a good tartan or plaid. So I combined Day 26 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge, which was 'blazer' with Day 27 which was 'plaid' and Day 28 'skirt'. 

I used Tombow Brush Markers as watercolors (more on the technique here) and then outlined it in Micron Pens. 

You can see all of my inktober entries here. :)

Inktober Day 25: Cardigan

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!

I love a good cardi, and when I saw this cute picture of Atlantic-Pacific's outfit I knew I just had to paint it for the Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge. 

I used a combination of Dr Ph Martin's Liquid Ink, Tombow Markers, and Sakura Micron Pens. 

You can see all of my Inktober entries here. 

Inktober Day 24: Coat

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!

For Day 24 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge I drew a coat I wish I owned. Soft pink, military cut, but with a feminine bow. If you ever see a coat like this will you let me know? ;)

I used Tombow markers to get a watercolor effect (see the tutorial here) and then outlined it with Sakura Micron pens. 

You can see all of my inktober entries here. 

Inktober Day 22 (Belt) and Day 23 (Poncho)

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!

I combined Day 22 and Day 23 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration challenge because what's a poncho without a good belt to give it some shape!?

I've been using Tombow Markers by blending the color on a palette and then using water and a paintbrush to paint them onto my picture. There's a little tutorial here if you're interested. 

Check out all of my other inktober entries here. 

Inktober Day 21: Sneakers

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!

In my books, brighter is always better — and if your sneakers aren't burning your retinas then they probably aren't bright enough. ;)

I wish the fluorescent pink Liquetex Marker came up as bright in my photo as it is in real life. It really, really pops! For all of the other colors I blended Tombow brush marker ink on a palette and then painted it on. (Click here for a tutorial on marker blending).

How about you, do you go for bright or more muted colors when you buy shoes?

You can see all of my inktober fashion illustrations here. 

New Facebook + Instagram Features

Both Facebook and Instagram are testing out new features in limited, tech-savvy markets (namely Russia, Poland, and Australia) before potentially rolling them out to more countries. Here's what you need to know.

Facebook Messenger Day

In the Messenger app, you’ll be able to post Snapchat-like photos and videos to friends. The content will last 24 hours, same as Snapchat, and have filters and stickers (a huge amount of stickers from what I’m told). Here are a few examples from one of my friends back home in Australia. You will be able to choose whether the video is viewable by all of your friends, or you can send it directly to a select few (the same as Snapchat).

Go Insta!

Meanwhile, Instagram is testing out live video as part of Instagram Stories. Presumably these will be similar to Periscope or Facebook Live, although there is no word on whether the video will only be available while it's being streamed or whether you'll be able to play it back for 24 hours like Instagram Stories. They’ll be accessible via the Stories area, and once you’re live, your friends and followers will see a red ‘live’ notification over your story in the top bar. Take a look.   

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of the new features and if you're planning on using them if they are released in more countries. 

Inktober Day 20: Jumpsuit

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!

The prompt for Day 20 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge was 'jumpsuit'. So I used Tombow markers, blended and painted onto the paper (tutorial here), to create this military-inspired version. 

You probably don't know this about me, but I've always been drawn to all things mechanical and have a love for technology, and driving. Combined with my background in Marketing, this led me into a job where I used to sell and demonstrate tanks and armored vehicles. I had to be licensed to drive trucks and other heavy equipment, and know more about the vehicles than any of the Army boys - just to hold my own in that industry. 

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I don't think it shaped my career as an artist in any way, but that job certainly made me thicker-skinned which helps from time to time. And I got to travel all around the world (business class of course) from Switzerland to Singapore and everywhere in between!

Anyway, I always like hearing about how people's varied backgrounds shaped who they are, and I love how contradictory people's interests can be so I thought you might get a kick out of knowing that about me. Sure my favorite color is hot pink and I love to paint fashion illustration, but I've also owned more motorcycles than cars, and I used to drive tanks for a living. ;)

Leave me a comment and tell me two seemingly contradictory things about yourself!

Inktober Day 19: Football Jersey

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!

Day 19 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge was 'Football Jersey'. I'm still trying to work out American Football, the rules etc. and while I find it quite slow compared to Aussie Rules and even Rugby, I'm determined to give it another go this season. I always enjoy games more live, and with the Broncos stadium just down the road, perhaps I just need to go to more actual games rather than watching them on TV. ;)

I've been using Tombow markers to get a watercolor look on my inktober paintings lately, and today's prompt was no exception. 

If you'd like to see how I do it, check out my step-by-step tutorial here or watch the video below and you'll get a pretty good idea. 

Inktober Day 18: Chambray

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!

I've never been brave enough to buy a Chambray shirt — having no idea how to style it. But because Day 18 of the Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge for Inktober was Chambray, I went in search of cute outfit ideas. I found this on Pinterest, and loved it paired with the leather fringe clutch. 

Have you ever owned a chambray shirt? And if so, what did you wear it with?

I used Tombow markers as watercolors, mixing them first on a blending palette, watering them down, and using a paintbrush to paint the ink onto my paper. You can check out the technique in more detail here. 

And check out the rest of my InktoberFF entries here. 

Inktober Day 17 Flats

The prompt for Day 17 of #inktoberff was flats. Of course I had to paint these fun rainbow ballet flats I found on Pinterest. 

You may not know, but I did Classical Ballet for 19 years, along with Jazz Ballet, Tap Dancing, Street Funk, Hip-Hop, Bollywood, Ballroom, Swing and Ceroc Dancing. So I'm always drawn to dance shoes of all types! 

Going to the ballet is still one of my all-time favorite things, and I've been lucky enough to see the American Ballet Company, the Russian Ballet, New York Ballet and a whole host of other amazing companies perform. I love to dance, but I've never been all that good at it, so I'm in awe of professional dancers and how effortless they make it look.

Rainbow flats #fashionillustration for #inktoberff — as part of #inktober https://t.co/0FykgHTwpz

— Jessica Mack (@BrownPaperBunny) October 22, 2016

How about you, did you ever do any dancing or take any dance lessons? 

If you'd like to see all of my entries for Inktober so far, click here. 

Half the Time, Double the Results

I’m not much of a planner, but I’m forcing myself to build new social media habits because the benefits are SOO worth it. 

Not only do I free up a LOT of time to do other things - like create content, build my business, and spend time with family and friends but I’m seeing more success on social media because my posts are more intentional, strategic, and cohesive rather than ad-hoc. 

Over the past few weeks, since I started being more intentional with my planning and content, I’ve averaged 140-180 new Instagram followers per week. Prior to that I was going up and down a little each week but things were pretty stagnant. 

Plus, if you’ve ever done the math, you probably spend a lot more time than you’d like managing your social media!

I did an experiment using Hours where I tracked every single thing I did for a whole month (from sleeping to exercising and everything in between), to see how I actually spent my time. Turns out I was spending about six hours a week playing games on my iPhone, and almost 11 hours a week on social media, so I vowed to cut those numbers down. Just think what you could do with an extra 17 hours a week!

Enter your email below to download my guide and learn how to streamline your social media workflow, cut your time in half, while doubling your results! It includes:

• My ‘week at a glance’ guide
• A downloadable social media content calendar
• A list (and review) of my favorite social media tools
• A guide to the best times to post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

When's the last time your Instagram account got a makeover? If you missed my guide '8 Ways to Fix Your Instagram Account' you can find it here. 

Inktober Day 15: Sweater

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!

Today's Inktober Fall Fashion prompt was 'sweater' so, inspired by Blake Lively, I drew this little number.  

I don't know about you but Fall (or Autumn as we call it in Australia) is my favorite time of year. I'll take sweaters over tank tops any day. And the chance to curl up in front of the fire with a good book while the leaves change outside — yes please! 

Not to mention Fall is ridiculously beautiful here in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The air is fresh, but still warm, the trees turn every shade you can imagine from greens through to purples, and the sky seems to be extra blue. Unlike other parts of the country Fall is super sunny and gorgeous here in Colorado. 

And I didn't even mention the array of delicious hot drinks available at this time of year! ;)

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Inktober Day 16: Long Sleeved Dress

The prompt for Day 16 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration Challenge (and also my birthday) was long-sleeved dress, so I painted this dress from the '40s that I wished I owned. I've always been obsessed with late '30s, '40s, and '50s women's fashion. How about you, do you have a favorite fashion era?

I used Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink in Teal, mixed with a little black to give it more depth. For the outlines I used Micron pens. 

If you'd like to see all of my Inktober Fall Fashion Illustration entries so far, visit: http://www.brownpaperbunny.com/blog/inktober-fall-fashion

Inktober Day 14: Boots

I had some fun creating these simple, pink, suede boots for Day 14 of #inktoberff

Watch the short video of it coming together:

You can see all of my entries for Inktober so far here. 

Inktober Day 13: Animal Print (+ Free Download)

So, the prompt for Day 13 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Challenge is 'animal print'. There are pink animals right? You know, like the Pink Panther? 

Ok, so maybe it looks more like camouflage than animal print, but I like how it came out all the same.

And because sneakers are so much fun to draw, color and design I thought you might like to have a go! Leave your email below to download and print the outline of my sneakers. Then once you've colored them in tag @BrownPaperBunny and #inktoberff on social media so I can check them out. Have fun!

Here's a little timelapse video of how I painted mine. 

Inktober Day 12: Hat

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!

It's already Day 12 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Challenge! Today's prompt was 'hat' so I created this pink felt number. 

Here's a timelapse video of it all coming together - using Tombow Brush Markers as watercolors, and directly on the page, and finished with Micron Pens. Yesterday's post showed how I used the Tombow markers if you're interested in learning more. Sorry the video is a bit blown out!