The Amazing 28 Day Social Media Diet

by on February 2, 2017 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Blog, News
diet

Photo via pexels.com.

[dc]L[/dc]ook, things are pretty goofy right now, but not in a good A Goofy Movie kind of way or even a Goof Troop kind of way. Social media, while usually a good thing, isn’t helping me keep sane these days. I’m spending too much time reading and re-reading things, over and over, and letting it get in my head, where it stays trapped like a fart in a frozen car in Michigan (this is a thing).

So, I’m taking a social media break of sorts for February (maybe longer). The title of this post was going to be The Amazing 30 Day Social Media Diet, but then I remembered February isn’t 30 days long. Thanks a bunch, Pope Gregory XIII.

Now, this doesn’t mean I’m sticking my head in the sand and not keeping up with news. Hardly. I just won’t be reading it on Facebook and Twitter (probably a good idea in general).

If you are used to contacting me via Facebook and Twitter, email me instead: djh [at] danieljhogan.com or use this contact form (make sure your email address is correct, or I can’t reply). Email update subscribers, you can just reply to this email too (or any other future email updates).

I’ll still post links to new comics and blog posts on the Clattertron facebook page, so don’t worry about that (not that you see them anyway, because of their stupid algorithm) and I will still get Facebook messages via the Messenger app. Really, I’m just avoiding my newsfeed and making status updates.

On the plus side, I’m hoping less time on Facebook and Twitter leads to me writing more here (as well as more time for comics) and maybe time for more things on Patreon.

From a mental health stance, this last week was rough, and Tuesday was one of my worst days (the sun not shining in Michigan for far too long didn’t help either. Happy Light, don’t fail me now!). It got bad, like delete my websites and cancel my appearances bad, and saying things on Facebook I shouldn’t bad. Thankfully my wife Stephanie helped me through it in her own delicate way (“You’re grounded. No more Facebook.”)

But, whatever I’m going through, it’s nothing compared to others who are directly affected by this past week, including a close friend of ours and her family.

Be kind everyone. Help others when and however you can.

(I think this is the first time I used fart in a blog post!) (EDIT: Nope!)

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New Glasses

by on February 1, 2017 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Blog, News

[dc]I[/dc] enjoy seeing things in focus, most of the time at least, so I finally got around to getting a new pair of glasses.

It’s been nearly four years since my last pair. A lot can happen to your eyes in four years, but thankfully I avoided strangers with flaming bits of wood and most pointy things in general.

However, my prescription changed.

And I developed an issue with double vision over the past year, like the one discussed in this scientific dissertation.

So, not only did my prescription get stronger, I got a prism lens. Either would be a big adjustment. Both is at the same time is a bit much.

I’ve never had a prism lens before, and it is supposed to help my double-vision issue.

It’s been something! I read it can take a couple of weeks to get used to a prism lens (I imagine it would be easier if I were younger, too). In the meantime, I’ll do my best to keep the walking into things and dizziness to a minimum.

Each day is better than the last, though. And, the prism is helping.

It’s difficult to describe, but at times things look like they are a bit more curved (mainly straight lines) and I get a feeling of something being more concave than it should. At times it feels like I’m walking around wearing a VR headset.

I’m certain I’ll get used to this, and within a week or so I won’t notice anything odd.

Except the other odd things around, which do not seem to be in short supply at the moment.

Review: Art Snacks – January

by on January 17, 2017 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Blog, News, Reviews
art snacks january 2017

January’s Art Snacks selection.

[dc]A[/dc]s one of my Christmas presents, Stephanie got me a six-month subscription to Art Snacks. It’s a monthly service like Loot Crate, but instead of t-shirts and toys, I get art supplies.

Art Snacks: What’s In the Box?

The photo above shows January’s haul:

I really like the Twin RB+F pen and the Black Star Pencil. I haven’t used the paint and the brush much, only for the Art Snacks Challenge (read below).

RB in RB+F stands for real brush, so it has a feel like my beloved Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. Inking with blue ink is a nice change of pace too.

The Koh-I-Noor Black Star is a nice, fat pencil, and as someone with large hands, it makes for a comfortable sketching pencil. I’m a big believer in sketching in ink (because you can’t correct mistakes) but there are times it’s nice to use some soft lead and go crazy (see this example on Instagram). 

If you want more info on this month’s items, watch this video.

[video link]

Art Snacks Challenge

Each month, Art Snacks challenges subscribers to use all the items in the box to create a piece of art. This is the Art Snacks Challenge, and I couldn’t resist.

Continue Reading

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Patreon Goal #1 – Magic of Eyri PDF

by on January 11, 2017 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Blog, News
patreon daniel j hogan

Cover image for my Patreon page.

[dc]I[/dc]f you’ve spent any time on my websites, you know I have a Patreon to help support my comics. Is it working? Yes. I’m earning money every month from patrons. However, I would like to gain more patrons, so I added a few goals.

What is Patreon?

A quick recap for those unfamiliar with Patreon: you pledge money to me each month (at least $1) and the money goes directly to me, minus Patreon’s fees. In exchange for helping support my comic making, I offer several rewards.

  • Blog Buddy: $1 or more a month – access to my patrons only blog posts on Patreon, including all of my past and future Behind the Scenes posts.
  • Early Bird: $3 or more a month – The $1 reward, and early access to the newest Foxes & Boxes comic. Read my latest comic before anyone else.
  • $5 or more a month – The $1 and $3 rewards, and I email you a digital, print quality, black and white single character head sketch (whatever you want).
  • $10 or more a month – The $1 and $3 rewards, and I mail you a hand-written letter, with a single character inked sketch on the same page, every month.
  • $20 or more a month – The $1 and $3 rewards, and I mail you a hand-painted watercolor post card with a message on the back, every month.

(The $5 – $20 rewards trigger after I get that month’s payment and you tell me what to draw)

My First Patreon Goal

My first goal is $100 a month from patrons. If I reach this goal, every current patron, and every patron added after (as long as I’m over $100/month) gets a free PDF copy of my fantasy novel, The Magic of Eyri.

I have other goals starting at the $175 a month level and higher, but now I’m focusing on that first $100. The more patrons I get, the more I’ll do for the patrons only blog as well (I’ll be more inspired, I’m sure). I would like to do patrons only “events” on the blog too, like help me name a character for example.

Become a Patron Today

It is very easy to become one of my patrons: just click on the Become a Patron button on my Patreon page. You will have to create an account and give payment information (a credit card, usually). Then, you pick your reward level (you can even specify a different amount, and choose not to take any awards if you don’t want).

The other upside to becoming a patron is, unlike other social media websites, you will see all of my updates. You will also get an email about each of my updates. Plus, with an account, you can comment on my posts.

Also, for the original art rewards, if you want me to send the art to someone besides yourself, I’m more than happy to work out the details.

Please consider becoming a patron today and help me reach my first goal! Thank you for your generosity.

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