I’m back! Let’s talk about Peachtober
plus other art-related musings and the future of this newsletter
I feel like I just wrote about this, but I’m back from another break. This time, I’m coming back with a new outlook for what I want this newsletter to be. I want it to be more specialized around my interests. What that is exactly, I’m not sure yet.
My favorite newsletters are based around one or two topics that the writer is passionate about, fashion, economics, animation, recipe development, and the likes. I like to use Substack as a place to learn something from what I read, and while I know I’m not there myself yet, I want to work toward making Don’t Make Lies a place to learn too.
I’m going to start with my interests: art, design, stationery, books, etc. Hopefully by working through my interests, I find something that sticks. I want to produce something like my podcast project that is informative but adds my own opinions.
I believe if I am consistent with writing, I can get there. So here’s to trying again :)
Peachtober !
Every now and then, I decide to join an Instagram art challenge or try to commit to one myself. If you’re unfamiliar, these challenges provide a space for artists to post every day for a set amount of time under an overarching theme.
Previously, I’ve created daily Valentine’s Day cards from February 1st to the holiday (a success), monthly calendar prints (didn’t make it past February), monthly journal spread recaps (didn’t make it past February, again), daily Christmas designs (did about six of the 12), and now Peachtober (not even doing it daily).
Created by one of my favorite art YouTubers, furrylittlepeach, Peachtober is a daily art challenge every October. This month in general is known as the month of daily challenges because of the popularity of Inktober. If you find any art and illustration page on Instagram, they’ll either be doing a challenge or have created their own set of prompts.
After seeing Inktober, Peachtober, and the likes for so many years, I decided to try it out myself, but to a lesser extent. I chose Peachtober because it’s made by someone I watch and it’s open to any medium, while Inktober is traditionally reserved for actual ink and, and I’m more of a digital art person.
How am I approaching the challenge?
I decided to not do it daily. I know, I’m already breaking the rules. But I know myself, my track record, and the actual amount of time I have in real life. At the beginning, I selected around half of the prompts through the month to do and I’ll go from there, with room for more or less.
As I’m writing this, I have five posted so far: sparkle, sketch, apricot, pixel, and lamp. And they’re pretty much all different styles.
I’m learning that I don’t really have an art style. I think of it more as my illustration capabilities. I know that I can draw people or 3d objects that well. But I also know that I can make and visualize 2d vector illustrations better. However, this doesn’t translate to an all-around style.
I am learning that pixel art is really fun though. I’ve always admired pixel art as a cool, retro style, and since I’ve been playing a lot (and I mean a lot) of Stardew Valley recently, I wanted to try it out. My logo uses a pixelated font too, so it’s only fitting I know how to do it.
Overall, I’m using Peachtober as an opportunity to try new styles, maybe find my own, and be okay when it’s not super polished every day I post.
Check out the rest of my posts through the month here!
What’s bringing me joy
My new matcha whisk holder! I wasn’t using one for a while and my whisk was becoming warped, so I finally got my hands on one at a local Japanese market, and I love having it.
Stardew Valley! That’s just it. I’m obsessed with the game right now.
Doodling again! Every now and then I go through phases of liking to draw on paper and I’m in one right now, playing with shapes, textures, and all the markers I’ve neglected.
Until next time,
Madison 💌
Keep at it.