• Tag Archives Drawing

  • Authortube (Artisttube): How to Overcome Artist’s Block

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Authortube (Artisttube): How to Overcome Artist’s Block

    vLog authortube booktube artisttube how to overcome artists block thumbnail

    Two videos were created before this one, the intent being this video the final installment in that trilogy.

    The videos were:

    How to Get Past the Writing Wall | How to Overcome the Writer’s Block

    What to Do When Stuck on a Drawing

    Now, though this video is labeled as an Artisttube one, the principle is for artists of any craft. How do you overcome artistic block in today’s flooded publishing climate? Watch and find out. Clue: The solution is one word and starts with a F.

    Hope you’re encouraged by what you hear.

    Peace.

    Please subscribe to get all the latest videos and shorts!

    Thanks for watching Axiom-man TV.

    Authortube (Artisttube): How to Overcome Artist’s Block

    📂This entry was posted in Authortube Drawing Publishing vLog Writing YouTube 📎and tagged

  • Authortube (Artisttube): What to Do When Stuck on a Drawing

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Authortube (Artisttube): What to Do When Stuck on a Drawing

    vLog authortube booktube artisttube what to do when stuck on a drawing thumbnail

    It happens. You have the vision, you begin to draw, all goes smooth, the picture is turning out perfectly . . . then you hit a snag and can’t draw that arm. Every effort yields something less than desirable. Frustration sets in and you’re not sure if you should continue with the drawing or not.

    Here’s what to do so you can finish your work.

    Please subscribe to stay on top of all the latest videos and shorts!

    Thanks for watching Axiom-man TV.

    Authortube (Artisttube): What to Do When Stuck on a Drawing

    📂This entry was posted in Authortube Drawing Opinion vLog YouTube 📎and tagged

  • Fredrikus: The Webcomic Return?

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Fredrikus: The Webcomic Return?

    Fredrikus Paper Doll webcomic

    I’ve been giving FREDRIKUS a bunch of thought and his world is certainly one I want to get back to. I have other pressing committments like THE BATTLE OF POWER TRILOGY for THE AXIOM-MAN SAGA and I committed this year to superhero fiction as the priority. However, the artist in me wants to draw something too.

    A lot has changed in my life since the last FREDRIKUS strip and, as is the spirit of the strip about a down-and-out anthropomorphic dog in a dystopian sci-fi world, there are some things I need to say and the webcomic is a good place to say it.

    So, that said, my plan is to create new strips at a leisurely, non-deadline pace then share them with you. I’m not saying they’ll be anytime soon. Just saying it’ll be an unseen side project while I work on other things so my hand’s itch to draw is satisfied.

    In the meantime, there is a special plan for the current strips available but I will reveal that in due time.

    For now, start at the beginning and read a couple issues’ worth of free comics. The Fredrikus webcomic is waiting for you.


    📂This entry was posted in Updates Webcomics 📎and tagged

  • Patron-exclusive Essays and Articles Index

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    It’s important to me to share information with fellow writers and artists whenever I can. I have a free section here for it on this site, but I also have a special section on Patreon for creators as well. The below essays and articles are only available on Patreon but they share over 20 years of knowledge of the self-publishing business and how it works.

    Patreon essays collection

    Click the image above to be taken to the page.

    The Secret to Social Media Success Part 1

    The Secret to Social Media Success Part 2

    The Secret to Social Media Success Part 3

    How to Write Well Every Time: Proper Writing

    The Road Back: How to Create Again After a Hiatus

    Spontaneous Book or Comic Marketing

    How to Maintain a Blogging Schedule

    How to Overcome Writer’s Block

    What to Do If You Think Your Arts Career Is Sinking Part 1

    What to Do If You Think Your Arts Career Is Sinking Part 2

    Should you Maintain a Creative Schedule?

    The One Marketing Trick Hiding in Plain Sight

    Creating: Time Allocation

    Business Card Division

    Project Cash Flow

    All of the above writing and self-publishing essays and articles are designed to help the creator, give insight, and, ideally, give their career a boost. I know the above has worked for me.


    📂This entry was posted in Patreon Self-publishing Writing 📎and tagged

  • 2024 Studio Changes

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    2024 Studio Changes

    vLog - 2023 studio tour thumbnail

    Well, I’ve been working in the same space for almost five years. This is the only room in the house that accomodates my desks and equipment to bring you books and comics and a pile of other stuff.

    However, it’s time to change the decor and shuffle things around. Depending what Melinda says, I might even be able to free up an additional 2′ x 6′ area that’s presently occupied within the studio. As well, with a new studio layout comes new decorations so I’d like to showcase the studio as it is right now one more time before we say farewell to this version and change things up for 2024 and beyond.

    Here’s the teaser I shot to hint at the tour:

    The Phantom’s Door. A.P. Fuchs Studio Tour coming soon to YouTube

    And here is the tour itself. Hope you tune in when the 2024 studio changes kick in and all is complete and a tour is given.

    See you inside.

    A.P. Fuchs 2023 Studio Tour

    📂This entry was posted in Canister X Life Self-publishing Social Media Stuff vLog YouTube 📎and tagged

  • Happy New Year 2024 (2023 in Review)

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Happy New Year 2024 (2023 in Review)

    Happy New Year 2024

    Happy New Year, everybody! Yeah, I know this post isn’t on New Year’s Day but I wanted to wish you all the best before the clock strikes 12 tonight.

    For this entry, I’m going to reprint yesterday’s New Year’s edition of THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION. If you like what you read and would like to subscribe, please use the subscription form to the left of your screen if you’re on a desktop. If not, please go here.

    Thanks.

    Enjoy.

    Issue Three Hundred-three – December 30, 2023

    Telecom handheld transmission:

    Welcome to Issue 303 of THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION and the final issue of THE VERY LONG YEAR SIX for 2023.

    This past year was a busy one both professionally and personally, the majority of my time spent either working or sleeping. But we got a lot done and laid a firm foundation for PROJECT REBUILD 2.0. I’m happy with all that was accomplished this year and also am enjoying the feeling of finally being back into the swing of things.

    This issue is going to be structured like all the rest but we’re going to gear each section as a kind of look-back on the year, but before we do, I promised my thoughts on New Year’s resolutions last issue so here they are: New Year’s resolutions, though well-intended in concept, are ridiculous because, objectively speaking, they have zero effect on the flow of Time. Sure, we as a species divided Time into chunks as per the solar cycle, but that doesn’t change Time as a whole. Time is Time, an unbeatable and unmanipulative force that we’re a part of the second we’re conceived through to our deaths.

    In short, every day/evening/night is New Year’s resolution day. Lift off the calendar grid and we’re all just a bunch of fish swimming along Time’s current and only headed in one direction. That said, we can make our resolutions at any moment. We can act upon them at any moment. We also cannot act upon them at any moment.

    The choice is ours.

    * * *

    Work log:

    2024’s road map has been laid and this week we took a look at, and acted upon, some items of that map. Other parts were planned and locked down in terms of a we-first-do-this-then-we-do-that, step-by-step kind of way, which is how my brain is wired for any project, creative or not. I like to get the overview first with the endpoint made clear, then I look at the path to get there and break down the nuts and bolts of the goal so I know the thought-through way to get there as efficiently as possible while allowing grace for human error (because human error is also an unstoppable force).

    This week’s work, due to Christmas and being on holidays, was pretty much cut in half as a result. But we still got stuff done and still maintained a holiday schedule because, as you know, this break was much-needed.

    In short, we got things set up for the early part of 2024 so there will be a smooth transition when the clock strikes midnight tomorrow.

    * * *

    Blog headlines:

    vLog – The Lord of the Rings vs The Dark Tower (Hollywood, Listen Up!)

    Realm of Heroes and Monsters: Story Time Podcast Episode 18

    Canister X Mailbag – Custom Funko Pop! Figures Christmas Unboxing – 10312023 – 122523

    Boxing Week eBook Sale!

    2024 Business Formulation: The House

    The Way of the Fog (The Ark of Light Volume One)

    Look, Up on the Screen! The Big Book of Superhero Movie Reviews Book Spotlight

    vLog – Writer Rider? (Roger, Roger)

    * * *

    Content notice:

    As is the usual around here, we made stuff for the public and for patrons.

    Public:

    Hotwheels Dream Garage Bone Shaker

    Writer/Artist A.P. Fuchs Funko Pop! Figure – Merry Christmas

    Hotwheels 55th Anniversary ’67 Camaro

    Green Goblin Marvel Legends Retro Action Figure

    DC Justice League 2” Superman Figures (blue suit and black suit)

    Look, Up on the Screen! The Big Book of Superhero Movie Reviews Book Spotlight Teaser

    Patreon:

    My Secret (from CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS)

    ZOMTROPOLIS – 17

    * * *

    Release notice (a different sort of list):

    This year was packed with releases across various mediums. To round them up, I’ve broken them down into sections for you.

    Books:

    THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION: YEAR FOUR

    THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION: THE LONG YEAR FIVE

    ZOMTROPOLIS: A RECORD OF LIFE IN A DEAD CITY

    Comics and cartoons:

    FREDRIKUS Episode 38: Lobster (comic)

    FRED THE DOG IN “ONCE UPON A WEINER” (cartoon)

    AXIOM-MAN: Short Animated Film (cartoon; co-writer)

    FRED THE DOG IN “ONCE UPON A WEINER” (storyboard video with cartoon comparison)

    FIGHTING AND OTHER ANIMATED SHORTS AND ARTWORK (cartoon)

    Video:

    A ton of videos and shorts and reels were created this past year, all focusing on superheroes and monsters and my books and comics.

    I’m looking to grow the channel so I invite you to subscribe and check out the stuff that’s there. Some cool stuff planned for 2024 so might as well get in on the ground floor.

    Here’s the channel’s trailer.

    Audio:

    At the end of August we launched my first podcast, THE REALM OF HEROES AND MONSTERS: STORY TIME with A.P. FUCHS. New episode every Sunday. We’re 18 episodes of 30 into Season 1. After the season is done, we’ll take a month-long break then come back with Season 2 of which we’ll shake up the program and still deliver on story time.

    The podcast is currently available for your listening (and viewing) pleasure at:

    YouTube

    YouTube Music

    Canister X

    Spotify

    Blog/web:

    Lots of content went out via the socials. The best place to ensure you and I are hooked up via various social channels is by checking out my LinkTree, which then branches off to my various web hideouts. Join me and let’s connect.

    And, of course, we maintained a steady blog schedule, delivering content 6 days a week, sometimes 7.

    We also launched Patreon 2.0 and stacked it with content along with a basic tier structure:

    $1 – General tip jar; my gratitude for your support is your reward.

    $5 – All access to both public and patron-only content. There is a ton of content for both on the site. Serial books and comics, essays and articles, videos, photography, artwork, and more. I hope you join the journey.

    Newsletter:

    We resumed THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION and had to find a new transmission service along the way. I’m still getting used to using MailerLite hence why the past couple of issues had some unnecessary text.

    As for TinyLetter, presently the site is still up along with THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION back issues. Subscribing via that site is no longer an option and I don’t know if or when my TinyLetter page will come down so if you want to read the back issues, now’s the time. You can also support this newsletter by purchasing the collected editions (complete with a bonus issue unavailable anywhere else) in paperback or eBook via the usual suspects.

    * * *

    As we head into 2024, and as of the writing of this newsletter, my headspace is split in two. One side is focused on creating, the other focused on the business side and the necessary prep for doing shows, delivering content, maintaining the unseen business stuff behind the scenes, and the upcoming tax season.

    I had hoped to accomplish a lot more during this winter break but to be honest, I desperately needed to slow down so I did get some stuff done, just not all.

    2024 is coming. Time to finish resting up.

    Have a great New Year’s Eve and, please, stay safe.

    Thanks for spending 2023 with me.

    All the best,

    A.P. Fuchs

    Happy New Year 2024, MB

    End transmission

    Thanks for sticking with me this year and digging into what I’ve been bringing into the Web. More to come.

    So, again, Happy New Year 2024!


    📂This entry was posted in Blogging Canister X Life Stuff 📎and tagged

  • Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans

    Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans

    Last week of working like a dog then a holiday break for 10 days. Really needed and really looking forward to it . . . but that doesn’t mean I’ll be doing absolutely zero.

    While there will be little things to get done during the break, namely life stuff, here is my general holiday overview divided into blocks big and small.

    Dec. 22 – Midday. Nap (if work is done early)

    Dec. 23 – Festivus. Decompression day and the airing of grievances on my Facebook page to help with the decompression

    Dec. 24 – Rest and Christmas Eve stuff

    Dec. 25 – Christmas (with a special video on YouTube that is interesting but will also make you laugh)

    Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 – A combination of relaxing and binge creating for 2024 and one more Christmas gathering but I don’t know the date. Probably the 26th or 27th.

    Dec. 31 – New Years Eve. I’m too old to do the stay-up-til-midnight-then-kiss-the-girl thing. I foresee a later night but in bed before we travel through time into a new year.

    Jan. 1 – Last day of rest so the aim is to do as much nothing as possible

    Jan. 2 – Back to real life

    And those are my Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans.

    That last date scares me at the time of this writing though, because, right now, worn out, I don’t want to deal with real life. Need the break. I do know, however, the break will be a full recharge if it’s anything like my same-length break in the summer, which is a good thing.

    There you go. General holiday plans, subject to change as per the rules of Christmas Holidays when things can turn on a dime.

    I hope you’re looking forward to Christmas as much as I am. I have some really cool, special-to-the-individual gifts to hand out and I can’t wait to see their reaction!

    Peace.


    📂This entry was posted in Axiom-man Blogging Books Canister X Comic Books Drawing Fiction Life Newsletter Patreon Podcasts Social Media Superheroes Writing YouTube 📎and tagged

  • A.P. Fuchs 2023 Studio Tour

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    A.P. Fuchs 2023 Studio Tour

    vLog - 2023 studio tour thumbnail

    Well, here it is: Home sweet home.

    It’s definitely not like other writers’ offices with books everywhere and a computer. It’s also not like your traditional artist studio with the smell of paint on the air and lots of brushes and pens laid out.

    When I say in my newsletter I work in a bunker, well, you’ll see that I’m not far off.

    My studio was originally going to be a basement bathroom but the previous owners of the house didn’t finish it. They got as far as framing it and marking out on the cement floor what goes where (i.e. the tub here, the toilet there, etc). So, I went out and got a roll of carpet, cut it to size, put it down, then put all my equipment where I wanted it to be. What I forgot to mention in the video is the computer desk I’m using I’ve had since I was about 5 or 6. It’s small, but I’ve made it work and the room is too small to put in something new from IKEA or wherever. Besides, one of the drawers has a sticker on it one of my kids put on it when they were toddlers. Yeah, I’m sentimental like that.

    Anyway, this is it, the A.P. Fuchs 2023 Studio Tour. This is where I produce my books and comics and make sure they get out to you.

    Hope you dig my little nerd’s nest.

    Welcome to the real-life Realm of Heroes and Monsters!

    A.P. Fuchs 2023 Studio Tour

    As always, don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel, especially with the Realm of Heroes and Monsters: Story Time Podcast debuting this Sunday.


    📂This entry was posted in Artwork Axiom-man Books Canister X Comic Books Drawing Fredrikus Publishing Self-publishing Superheroes vLog Writing YouTube Zines and minicomics 📎and tagged

  • On Writer’s Block

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Writer’s block can be discouraging. You’re on a roll with your project then suddenly you hit a mental brick wall and the words cease. Hours go by, days, even weeks. You just can’t seem to get past that certain point in your story. You kinda know where it’s going but how to get there? Good question.

    My suggestion to overcome writer’s block is to write through it. You can certainly pick the project you’re working on and give it a go, but if that’s not an option, write something else. It doesn’t have to be for publication. It could be a snippet, a thought, a blog post or article, poetry, even a rant about how frustrated you are. The point is to keep writing anyway.

    That’s been my personal experience and writing anyway eventually beats down that wall and let’s you resume your project again.

    This applies to drawing or any creative outlet.

    Your mileage may vary.


    📂This entry was posted in Public Journal 📎and tagged

  • Status Report – 042320

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs
    status report 042320

    Status Report – 042320:

    We’re working on a schedule shift here where I start my day a little bit later because I find I function better after the mid-morning hours. However, I also was just having coffee and decided to upload the second-to-last chapter of Gigantigator Death Machine to Patreon so my readers there got this week’s update bright and early. If you’re not reading Gigantigator Death Machine, please do. One more chapter to go and the book is done. Once complete, it will remain on Patreon while we start up the second serial novel in a few weeks.

    The plan for the day is to make comics. We’re gaining a ton of ground on Fredrikus. While the drawing is going on, so are other behind-the-scenes items so that come launch, all the necessary ducks are in a row.

    Soon.

    Now, back to coffee.

    This has been your Status Report for 042320.


    📂This entry was posted in Status Report 📎and tagged