MOVIE MAKING TECHNIQUES

01

10 Useful YouTube Channels for Learning Digital Painting and Illustration Techniques : Part 2

Here are some more YouTube channels I’ve bookmarked as being useful for learning or just being nice to watch while working on art.

Disclaimer: I’ve not been asked to share these links or paid blah blah blah.

Part 1 is here if you missed it:

These links are in no particular order.

Level Up

Level Up is made by Wojtek Fus, Jonas De Ro and Darek Zabrocki who are illustrators and concept artists who interviewed other working concept artists to make a video podcast on YouTube.

FZD School

This YouTube channel is moderated by Feng Zhu who is a concept artist who founded FZD School of Design in Singapore.

James Gurney

James Gurney is one of my favourite artists because he made the Dinotopia books which I loved as a kid. If you want to learn about art and painting this is a good channel to watch.

GDC

For anyone with an interest in computer game design this is a very interesting channel.

Tyler Edlin

Tyler Edlin is a freelance Illustrator and concept artist who makes useful videos about art fundamentals and digital painting.

Cam Sykes

Digital painting videos by concept artist and Illustrator Cam Sykes. There are some really useful videos for beginners here.

Anna Lepeshkina

If you like to watch digital painting videos in the hand painted game art style this channel is for you. Anna is a concept artist from St. Petersburg, Russia

Austin Batchelor

This YouTube channel is really useful for anyone wanting to learn digital painting. Austin is a multi-disciplinary illustrator and concept artist teaching his knowledge to others.

Marco Guadalupi

Marco is an Illustrator and digital artist repesented by the Bright Agency. His videos are fun to watch and you will pick up some tips and tricks along the way. He also makes Photoshop brushes.

Ree A.

If you love watching artists drawing in their sketchbooks with pens and markers whilst talking about different things, this channel is for you. Ree is an Illustrator who draws really cute and appealing characters in a wonderful personal style.

I hope that was interesting. I’ll work on part 3 for 10 more cool YouTube channels I’ve found soon.

By the way I also have a YouTube channel where I make videos of my digital painting, experiments in digital art and Illustration if you would like to check that out.

Christine Garner Illustration YouTube

02

13 Unique Ways A Business Can Use Video To Engage Its Audience

Ever since innovations on the web made the embedded video a viable strategy, marketers have realized how vital this visual medium is to get consumers' attention. As companies started to utilize this new technology, and it became more democratized, the popularity of video as a communication medium exploded.

However, there are several techniques that a business can utilize when their chosen medium is video. To make an impact, a company must stand out with their content. Thirteen professionals from Forbes Agency Council explore how companies can be unique about their use of video in marketing, and how they can stand out from the crowd by leveraging these tactics.

Members share some tactics for standing out with your video marketing efforts.

Photos courtesy of the individual members

1. Engage Category Influencers

Consumers love video, as long as it is informative or entertaining or ideally both. Inform -- don't hard-sell. Engage YouTube influencers in your category and hire them to create branded videos with simple production values. And develop your own YouTube influencers through your SMEs or even enthusiastic customers. - Robert Finlayson, Zeno Group

2. Don’t Be Afraid To Get Personal

Grab the audience's attention with a highlighted image or offer that catches their eye right off the bat. Once you have their attention, make the following seconds worth their time by letting the consumer or audience know how the brand can positively impact their life in the most concise and emotional way possible. - Jessica Hawthorne-Castro, Hawthorne LLC

3. Jump On A Hot Topic

When Peloton’s latest ad showed a woman getting an exercise bike from her husband for Christmas, social media outrage ensued. Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin, however, identified an opportunity to engage in a trending cultural moment, creating a spot with the same actress and telling the story of what happened next. The lesson for brands is to keep it simple, relevant and most of all, timely. - Ryan Cassin, Asset Agency

4. Target A Search Query

Making videos that answer a specific question -- especially a how-to question -- can be very effective. People ask Google questions, and if your company has a good answer which can be made into a short, engaging video, you may have found an excellent way to rank first in search for a specific query. It's important to ensure that the title of your video exactly matches the query you are targeting. - Samuel Michelson, Five Blocks

5. Create Snackable Videos

When people think of video formats, it is natural to associate them with high production costs. There is an incredible amount of tools out there today that allow you to create high-quality, made-for-social videos that are engaging with only a few clicks. Some videos -- although short and sweet -- can have a big impact when done the right way. Be consistent and results will come. - Alex Sandoval, MOI Global

6. Stand Out With Personalized Videos

Creating personalized videos for your audience is a smart way to stand out in a cluttered marketing landscape. When a customer sees their name or brand in the video thumbnail, they are much more likely to click through to view your content. The great news is that solutions such as Vidyard now make it possible to personalize videos at scale. - Jenni Smith, EGR International

7. Do A Weekly Live-Streamed Podcast

Setting up an in-house podcast and live-video streaming studio is relatively inexpensive and allows brands to amplify the way they engage their audience. Podcasts (and video streaming) can cover a range of topics, from reflecting on industry insights and news to interviews with industry thought leaders (or happy clients). Video is by far the most effective tool to maximize audience engagement. - Kristopher Jones, LSEO

8. Don't Be Afraid To Use Animation

It seems counterintuitive, but using animation as a video can often communicate a message better than a talking head. The reasons are: the ability to create the scene to suit the message, the flexibility to add captions and transition slides, and the creative freedom to make a point directly, rather than subtly. Animation also enables you to feature brand attributes to support your message. - Francine Carb, Markitects, Inc.

9. Convert Website Case Studies To Video

Case studies are critically important to building trust and gaining the interest of business-to-business clients. But the traditional written case study, with its "problem, solution, result" format, doesn't have the impact it used to. It's been overused. Turning your case studies into video testimonials -- with client interviews and compelling storytelling -- will get them a broader and more engaged audience. - Scott Baradell, Idea Grove

10. Make Sure You Offer Value

Video should be just like any other content offer and give the viewer real value. Don't push videos out about your great products or services. Do create authentic videos where you offer insights, takeaways, and action items that viewers can gain by watching your video. Next, make sure the offer is clear in the first five seconds and your engagement rate will soar. - David Ward, Meticulosity

11. Focus On The Story, Not The Sell

To help your videos stand out and connect with viewers, use them to tell stories, not rehash sales pitches. The power of video is the emotions it engages. Sales pitches aren’t emotionally engaging. Stories are. Make people fall in love with your brand through video. Hook first. Sell later. Practice inbound marketing fundamentals and you’ll see success. - Mary Ann O'Brien, OBI Creative

12. Speak With Your Brand’s Voice

Videos are another element contributing to our brand image and should be treated as such. Understanding the audience and the brand inside and out will help the creatives produce video content that carries the same voice. This is important because we can’t expect a single video to make much of an impact, but a series of consistent videos that follow a strategy will be memorable and impactful. - Ahmad Kareh, Twistlab Marketing

13. Stop Trying So Hard

The very word "video" stirs this notion that we need to be creating Oscar-winning footage to win at the game. Some of the most viral, clever videos are shot on an iPhone and feature signature choppy editing with grainy images. Source user-generated content over trying to hire the next Quentin Tarantino to shoot your video. Think raw, think real, think radically simple with your video efforts. - Danica Kombol, Everywhere Agency

03

28 Tips to Get You in the Mood for Your Next Sex Sesh

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What do vibrators, iPhones, and toaster ovens have in common? You can turn them on with the push of a button. Your body, fam, isn’t on that list.

“Mainstream movies and TV make it seem like spontaneous desire — in which you’re suddenly or randomly turned on — is the norm,” says Jill McDevitt, CalExotics’ resident sexologist.

“And while it certainly happens — especially at the start of relationships — it’s not the only way for good or healthy sex to start.”

In fact, most folks experience something called “responsive desire.”

“That’s when the desire to have sex comes as a result of intentionally using sexual physical or mental stimuli like kissing, massage, reading erotica, or watching porn to get in the mood,” she says.

Below, tips on intentionally turning yourself — and your partner, if you have one — on.

“There’s a huge difference between needing a little nudge to get in the mood and being coerced by your partner to have sex you don’t want to have,” says certified sex educator Alicia Sinclair, CEO of COTR, Inc., the manufacturer of b-Vibe, Le Wand, and The Cowgirl.

“If one partner is saying ‘no’ or physically recoiling, it’s important to take those cues to stop seriously,” she says.

Failing to stop when your partner doesn’t enthusiastically consent isn’t sex. It’s assault.

If you think planned sex is the antithesis of good sex, think about how fun it’d be to be in your feel-good lace, briefs, or binder when your partner undresses you — as opposed to day-old boxers or period panties.

Schedule a weekly sex date

Clear at least 60 minutes in your calendar once a week for a reoccurring sex date.

“The key is to keep the commitment to explore your body and your partner’s body the way you’d keep a work call or hair appointment,” says sex educator Sarah Sloane, who’s been coaching sex toy classes at Good Vibrations and Pleasure Chest since 200l.

FYI, this tip applies for solo sex, too. Scheduled masturbation slaps.

Lean into lusty learning

Plan a date to your local sex shop. Go see a live recording of Tina Horn’s “Why Are People Into That?!” podcast. Go to The Sex Museum. Attend an erotic storytelling event.

“In long-term sexual relationships, creating a sense of novelty and newness can be the difference between being turned on and feeling like you’re doing a chore,” says Sinclair.

One of the best ways to do this is to go to a sex-focused event and see what convos and interests arise after, she says.

Go on a sexy getaway

Also known as vacation… where you have sex.

It’s not about putting pressure on yourself to get it on. It’s about spending quality time together, without the interruption of work/kids/pets/parents.

If you end up bang-a-langing, great! Somebody else will wash the lube-stained sheets! If not, no biggie, you’ll still benefit from the QT.

To reiterate: Human bodies don’t turn on with the push of a button. That sh*t takes time.

Explore wearable sex toys

Ideally, ones can come with a remote control.

“Try having one partner wearing a vibrator, like the Lock-N-Play Panty Teaser by CalExotics, which your partner can control with a remote,” suggests McDevitt.

“The buildup will have you jumping each other’s bones when you get home.”

Sext!

Think about how H-O-T an anticipatory sext session could be. Before you’re going to see your partner, tell them exactly what you want to do to them.

Some lines to borrow:

“I can’t wait to lick along the seam of your…”

“I keep thinking about the way you looked when I first pressed into you last week…”

“Tonight I want to hear you moan my name into my mouth…”

Build anticipation in other creative ways

Some suggestions from Sinclair:

Leave a sexy note for your partner.

Hang special lingerie in a place where your partner will see it.

Whisper something dirty in their ear right before leaving for work.

Go shopping for new bondage gear or sex toys together (and maybe tell each other ways you would like to use them!).

Your libido’s enemy is likely your number one constant: stress. Bust some of that stress with the following techniques.

Yoga

Of course yoga is on the list! It’s the de-stressing practice, after all. Plus, Downward-Facing Dog is great practice for doggy style…

Another option: Try tantric yoga, which is basically sensual yoga.

Breathwork

TBH, you don’t know true intimacy until you’ve matched your inhales and exhales with a boo’s inhales and exhales.

Meditate

Practice doing a few minutes of meditation to clear your mind before you engage in a sexual exchange, suggest McDevitt.

“Just don’t make getting in the mood for sex the goal of stress-reduction, because it will backfire. Saying, ‘I need to meditate so I’m less stressed and want sex’ is a surefire way to stress yourself out even more,” she says. Noted!

Take a shower or bath

Muscle-relaxing heat. The sensual slip of soap on your skin. Naked bodies. Yep, the shower and bath are perfect for getting turned on.

The goal isn’t to have sex in the shower, just to de-stress, sensually. But (!) if one thing leads to another, don’t forget to use lube.

“The best sex is sex where there is clear, direct communication and openness between partners,” says Sinclair.

“And if you’re fighting, mad at, or frustrated with your partner, it can cause you to put your walls up, which isn’t a conducive mood or attitude for happy play.”

Your move: Communicate, communicate, and communicate some more in order to resolve (and maybe even copulate).

Feeling angry, frustrated, or annoyed with yourself can also block your libido.

Try journaling, talking through it with someone else (a friend, therapist, lover), or turning to your other self-care practices.

“Your surroundings can sometimes be key to getting out of a bad mood and into a sexy one,” says Sinclair.

Try cleaning your sex space, dimming the lights, lighting your favorite candle, playing some soft music, laying out an aphrodisiac food platter (or just a chocolate bar), or turning on your fav-O-rite R-rated movie.

What do sex and games have in common? They’re both fun. Together it’s like fun x10.

No hands

You can kiss. That’s it! No hair pulling, nipple tweaking, finger teasing, ball cupping, or bum spanking allowed.

The first person to use their hands and touch the other person loses.

Your move: Use your teeth, tongue, and lips to bite, suck, kiss, and lick your partner’s mouth at a rhythm that’s so pleasurable they can’t help but to pull you into them.

(If you don’t think this is hot, you clearly haven’t seen everyone’s fave The L Word couple Carmen and Shane play it in season 2, episode 3.)

Roll the die

Ah, sex dice — which you can find online — may sound corny AF, but it can be seriously hot.

Roll the dice and let them tell you whether to bite, suck, lick, smack, or kiss your partners butt, clit, cock, or mouth.

If you and your partner are into kink and BDSM, you might try this kink-focused set.

Pick a card, any card

Then, do what it tells you to do. Ranging from oral sex to back massage to finger sucking and face sitting, sex cards are fun for duos who are in the mood to get in the mood. Grab a set online.

You go, I go

“This exercise is all about playing Giver and then playing Receiver,” explains Sinclair.

Start by setting a timer. For a set period of time (like 30 minutes), the Giver is to touch the Receiver wherever and however they’d like to be touched, starting with nonsexual touches. Once the time is up, switch.

“This is a great way to get focused on giving and receiving pleasure, and communicating what feels good before sex even begins,” she says.

Instead of going from 0-to-O (that’s zero to orgasm), why not use your eyes and ears to set the mood?

Explore audio porn

“Spoken erotica like Dipsea and Aurore are a fun new way to bring fantasy and imagination into the experience,” says Sinclair.

Cue it up on your phone on the way back from dinner and hand bae one of the earbuds.

Watch porn together

If you or your boo enjoy watching videos in your solo time, why not watch them together? For some super-erotic, sex-positive films, check out XConfessions or Bellesa.

Also hot: Turning on a lengthier porn film and flipping the screen around so that you can hear the huffs, moans, and mews in the background (CrashPadSeries has some very sexy moan-filled vids).

Get wild with words

It should be no surprise that reading about people having sex can be hot. Pull a story up from Literotica or Sugar Butch Chronicles and read it aloud to your boo.

Flip through a comic book

Visual learners to the front! “Graphic novels and comic books, like Fantagraphics, are an imaginative and fun way to explore new parts of your sexuality,” says Sinclair.

It’s perfectly healthy and normal if it takes a little work to get in the mood for sex. There are, as is demonstrated above, plentyyyy of ways to do so.

Also, it’s OK if you can’t get in the mood! You should never feel pressured to have sex if you don’t want to.

Your genitals and other erogenous zones aren’t a “use ‘em or lose ‘em” situation — they’ll still be there for you when you’re either in, or have time to get in, the mood.

Gabrielle Kassel is a New York–based sex and wellness writer and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. She’s become a morning person, tested over 200 vibrators, and eaten, drunk, and brushed with charcoal — all in the name of journalism. In her free time, she can be found reading self-help books and romance novels, bench-pressing, or pole dancing. Follow her on Instagram.