iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Adam Ming

Chris Barton @bartography.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

It’s true! I’m excited to be working with @adamming.bsky.social & Astra Young Readers for my next picture book. It’ll be my 26th book, and just when I got used to celebrating my 25th…

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Reposted by Adam Ming

Anna Brooke - Death by Chocolate **coming March 12!** @annabrookewriter.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

OUT 28 AUG!!!! Do you know a kid who likes funny? Do you know a kid who likes gross? Do you know a kid who'd dare to press the monster's nose & pick it? Then HELP! is for you! Avail online & bookshops (UK & USA) Illos by @adamming.bsky.social @andersenpress.bsky.social

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Need ideas, start looking in your sketchbook

A screenshot essay titled 'Dear Creator, capture today's fleeting ideas before they're lost forever — and turn them into the work only you can create.' The body text discusses the importance of capturing unique thoughts and feelings that arise each day, emphasizing that these configurations of ideas are fleeting gifts. The author shares their personal practice of filling a sketchbook daily, which led to discovering characters for a story a year later. The essay encourages readers to choose a method of documentation, such as a journal or sketchbook, and stresses the importance of consistency in preserving ideas that may otherwise be forgotten.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

I’m writing Atomic Essays for 30 Days, this one was about a painful jab when I told a friend I was starting a career as a picture-book illustrator at 40

Screenshot essay titled 'If You Keep Starting Over, You’ll Never Finish: Here’s The Daily Routine That Breaks The Cycle'. The essay discusses the author's journey towards establishing a career in illustrating picture books. It narrates a moment of reflection during a coffee meeting with a classmate who mocks the author's tendency to begin new projects. Despite the jibe, the author emphasizes the importance of consistency, highlighting their progress over the past two years, including submitting illustrations for one book and working on two others. The author concludes with a commitment to daily practice in their craft, valuing even short time spent on their work.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

If you write everyday. Draw every day. Make art everyday. Some of it will be good. That doesn’t mean the rest of it is wasted.

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Reposted by Adam Ming

My Book Corner @mybookcorner.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

I'm Building a Nest: Find Out How 50 Animals Make Their Homes by Saskia Gwinn, Illustrated by Adam Ming Review by @sareenmclay.bsky.social @adamming.bsky.social #saskiagwinn#quartokids #nonfiction#childrensbooks#childrensbooksillustration#booksforkids#kidlit#booksforchildren#nature#nests#spring

Picture shows the front cover of the book
I'm Building a Nest: Find Out How 50 Animals Make Their Homes by Saskia Gwinn,
Illustrated by Adam Ming with a bird building a nest and other creatures looking on.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

There are 5 things I learned that really had a profound impact on how I illustrate, I’m sharing this in a free emails series Www.tenminuteartist.com

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

To get 1 step removed from the reference, I did studies in my sketchbook, then drew this from my sketchbook

A screenshot essay titled 'Morning Drawing (that I did in the afternoon)' featuring a drawing created by the author. The drawing is visually vibrant and expressive, showcasing a blend of colors and playful shapes, highlighting the artist's unique style. The text surrounding the drawing discusses the artistic process and inspiration behind the work. The essay conveys a sense of humor about the title, indicating a playful approach to time management in art creation.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Do we still hate social media?

Screenshot essay titled '5 Reasons Why I Believe Social Media is Still A Useful Promotional Tool for Artists,' featuring five key points: 1. You can DM anybody - sharing how reaching out to others can help when you're stuck. 2. Your comments are actually welcome - emphasizing the importance of giving meaningful feedback and how it can lead to more engagement. 3. Your bio is your elevator pitch - highlighting the significance of a concise bio to convey who you are and what you offer. 4. Your content is your credibility - discussing how social media serves as a platform to showcase your offerings and demonstrate authenticity. 5. An 11-second reel could get thousands of views - mentioning the potential impact of engaging with reels on your visibility. The author concludes with encouragement for readers to leverage these insights to advance their goals.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Other artist are not the competition

Screenshot essay titled 'Other Artists Are Not The Competition' discusses the author's initial perception of competition in a children's illustration class. The author reflects on their mindset of needing to defeat fellow artists, but realizes through experience that learning from others is more valuable than competition. The essay includes three key insights: the author initially struggled to discern quality in art, gained significant learning from peer interactions more than the course content, and offers a metaphor comparing artists on a key ring, indicating that each artist serves a unique purpose rather than competing against one another.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Don't get busy, get focused. You can build a bestselling Substack in just 20 hours per month if you eliminate everything that doesn't directly serve your core purpose and audience.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Before: A stack of blank sketchbooks collecting dust. After: A daily practice that transforms procrastination into production. The bridge? 10 deliberate minutes that compound over time.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Most of us aren't actively saying 'no' to our creative calling. We're just finding increasingly sophisticated ways to avoid saying 'yes.' What looks like exploring multiple paths is often fear finding new escape routes.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

The number, the badge, the award. Those are not the point. The milestone isn't the point. It's just a measuring stick for your growth. Chasing numbers in creative work is about developing new skills that each new level demands from you. The point is growth

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Our dreams are built with bricks called habits. This one quiet ritual, just 10 minutes a day, helped me go from unpublished to illustrating 14 book in 3 years Here’s what I learned from keeping a daily sketchbook: [THREAD]

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

You designed a great character BUT every pose feels stiff, awkward, or wrong. You’re not bad at drawing. You’re just making one of these 10 posing mistakes (and 3 will surprise you): [THREAD]

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Monday Morning, an interstitial blog. (With pictures)

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

I’ll be leading a workshop on dynamic poses with Katie Stack, RSVP here: open.substack.com/pub/artgym/p/rsvp…

Screenshot essay titled 'How to pose a stickman' featuring a step-by-step guide presented in a visually organized layout. The content includes illustrations demonstrating various stickman poses, along with accompanying text that provides tips and instructions for effectively representing stickman figures in different actions and scenarios. The overall tone is instructional and informative, aimed at individuals interested in drawing or animating stick figures.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

STRUGGLING: "Gatekeepers don't recognize or validate my work." THRIVING: "I've identified venues and platforms where my work naturally resonates, while building my own channels."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

STRUGGLING: "My work isn't reaching or resonating with people." THRIVING: "I've built genuine connections with people who appreciate and support my creative vision."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

**Struggling:** "I sacrifice sleep, nutrition, and exercise for my art." **Thriving:** "I prioritize my physical and mental wellbeing as the foundation of sustainable creativity."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Design Characters for scale!

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

**Struggling:** "I reinvent my approach with every project, wasting time and energy." **Thriving:** "My streamlined workflows free mental space for creativity while ensuring reliable results."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

A portfolio is not an archive - it’s a stratigic inspiration

Screenshot essay titled '19/100: PORTFOLIO CURATION' featuring text discussing the importance of selective showcasing in a portfolio. The author emphasizes that a portfolio should serve as a strategic invitation, not a complete archive. They argue that including mediocre pieces alongside exceptional works can diminish overall impact. The text poses a reflective question about which pieces truly represent the individual’s skills and aspirations, encouraging selectivity to highlight value to desired clients. The essay concludes with a prompt to draw a thumbnail of potential portfolio pieces.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

**Struggling:** "I alternate between frantic overwork and anxious dry spells." **Thriving:** "I've developed systems for steady creation regardless of external deadlines or inspiration."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

From Static to Story: How Three Panels Can Unlock Your Character's Hidden Life

Screenshot essay titled '18/100: Show Don’t Tell.' The body content discusses character drawing techniques, highlighting the contrast between initial simple poses and more dynamic storytelling poses. It describes an example where a character transitions from a generic pose to a narrative scene involving commuting to work and personal reflections. Additionally, it includes a creative prompt for artists to draw a character in three sequential panels that convey a mini-story through visual cues without any accompanying text.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

**Struggling: " I push until I crash, then struggle to restart." **Thriving:** "I pace myself sustainably and protect my creative energy as my most valuable resource."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

A technique for attacking a blank page

Screenshot essay titled '18/100: BLANK PAGE COURAGE'. The body text discusses developing personal strategies to combat a blank page, emphasizing the author's preference for drawing four boxes filled with comics. It mentions the author's enjoyment of creating comics despite reluctance to share them, encouraging others to find their own methods. The text highlights the importance of starting to create and suggests varying one's approach after consistent practice. It concludes with a prompt to draw a continuous line to fill a page.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

**Struggling:** "I can't finish pieces because they never feel good enough." **Thriving:** "I recognize when work is ready to share and understand that completion fuels growth."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

**Struggling:** "Seeing others' work makes me feel inadequate and derivative." **Thriving:** "I draw inspiration from others while confidently developing my distinctive approach."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

**Struggling:** "I frequently hit walls in my process and struggle to produce consistently." **Thriving:** "I understand my creative rhythms and have techniques to maintain productive momentum."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Draw until you laugh out loud, that’s when you have something!

Screenshot essay titled '016/100: FINDING YOUR CHARACTERS' describes the author's experience sketching rabbits for their book 'Down the Hole.' The essay emphasizes the importance of emotional responses in character design, sharing that finding an authentic pose that evokes laughter indicated the right design. It encourages artists to let their own emotional reactions guide their creative process while suggesting a prompt to draw three quick character sketches of an animal reflecting joy, sadness, and anger, focusing on the emotional expression in the entire figure.

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Reposted by Adam Ming

Hey Crystal Smith Illustrates @crystalsmithart.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Came up with this yesterday and lovin' the idea of forest cars roaming the forests...🐸🚙 This one is a Froggy Wagon based on the Jeep Grand Wagoneer - with wood panelling! 🥰 Complete with high-jump beams and 4-lilypad drive. #illustration #kidlit #kidlitart #conceptart #kidsbookart #illustrator

Ribbit, ribbit, I'm a jeep! Froggy Wagon for hops through the forest, complete with luggage and high-jump beams.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

STRUGGLING ARTIST: "I create in isolation and feel disconnected from other artists." THRIVING ARTIST: "I'm part of supportive networks that provide feedback, opportunities, and camaraderie."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Struggling: "I create what I think others want rather than what feels true." Thriving: "My most resonant and successful work comes from my authentic creative voice."

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Morning brain vs. evening brain: the ultimate drawing showdown ☀️✏️🌙 The best illustrators don't wait for inspirationthey build reliable rituals. Those quiet morning moments before your inner critic wakes up? Creative gold. Try this: 5min morning sketch, 5min evening sketch. Same subject. Compare

A screenshot essay titled '015/100: MORNING SKETCHING RITUALS'. The body text discusses the importance of rituals in creative work, emphasizing a consistent morning sketching practice that lasts 5-10 minutes. It explains how these early sketches, done before the critical mind is fully awake, can lead to authentic expressions of an artist's style. The text concludes with a prompt to draw a subject in the morning and again at night, reflecting on any changes or observations. The text is presented in clear paragraphs, with the prompt highlighted in bold.

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Adam Ming @adamming.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Drawing upside-down is like a cheat code for your brain 🙃✏️ Instantly see shapes instead of symbols. Try this today and watch your proportions magically improve! What techniques have surprisingly leveled up your drawing skills? #TenMinuteArtist"