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ON THE BLOG

Oct 16

Self-Publishing Journey: Borrow My Books at the National Library Singapore!


creative art with siblings

I’m excited to share that two of my self-published books are now available for loan at the National Library Singapore! You can borrow "Creative Art With Siblings" and "I Hear You", the latter of which I co-created with a friend by illustrating the book. These books have been close to my heart, and I’m thrilled they are now more accessible to everyone.


Discovering Self-Publishing

When I was choosing my university major, I never imagined I would end up publishing books. I majored in Social Work, not English or Literature, but I always enjoyed journalling and occasionally writing for magazines and church projects.


It was thanks to Pauseability, that I discovered the world of self-publishing. With the support of my dear friend Wendy and my sister Sarah, who helped with editing, I took on this challenge, and it’s been an incredible learning journey ever since.


Why I Chose to Self-Publish

Self-publishing allows me to have full creative control over my work, and it's a perfect fit for anyone looking to publish without securing a traditional book deal or incurring huge costs.  While I don’t aspire to become a famous author or illustrator, I hope my books can inspire someone, somewhere. Self-publishing is a great option if:

  • You want to bring your book to life even without a publishing company deal.

  • Budget constraints mean you don’t want to pay a company to edit or market your book.

  • You want full creative control over your book’s content and design.

  • Small print runs of 1000 copies or less are what you’re aiming for.

  • You’re comfortable managing sales through your own website or social media platforms.


The Process: From Writing to Printing

From editing photos and learning Procreate to handling layout and printer communication, self-publishing has been a self-taught process. For those new to this, here are a few essential steps:

  • Layout: Mimic the layout of similar books, but make sure to include basic sections like an ISBN number (which you can get for free through NLB’s Legal Deposit), acknowledgments, content page, and copyright statement.

  • Photos & Images: Keep image resolution high at 300DPI, especially if you’re using Procreate for illustrations. When capturing images, it is advisable to refrain from excessive zooming in on the subject or making extensive crops during the editing process.editing.

  • Keynote for Layout: If you’re using Mac, I found that Keynote works best for maintaining high resolution in the PDF format needed for printing. This website, https://www.caseyprinting.com/blog/how-to-get-a-print-ready-file-out-of-apple-keynote provides guidance on preparing your Keynote document for printing, including instructions on setting bleeds.

  • Printing: Use local printers like Ho Printing for larger quantities (500 copies and above), or Gogoprint for smaller print runs, though they may require extra steps with file conversionsn (see tip below).

*Procreate Tip: If you're printing your book, Illustrations done with Procreate have to be set to CYMK colours. If you still find your image looking dull, then adjust the ‘hue’ and ‘brightness’. Also, always set the size of your image canvas size at least twice the size of your book. For example, A4 canvas for A5 books. 

*Gogoprint Tip: Gogoprint does not offer editing services, so the files you provide are printed as is, and the quality may not be as good as Ho Printing's. Recently, it's customer service informed me that I needed to use Canva to convert my files and resend them as PDFs. I don't understand why they couldn't work with the original PDF file. Ultimately, I had to save each page of my Keynote file as a PNG image, upload all the images to Canva, and then download a print-ready PDF from there.

i hear you

Sharing My Journey

Self-publishing has been a rewarding journey, even if the profits are minimal. It’s about the joy of seeing my ideas come to life and sharing them with others. I hope my journey encourages others to explore this creative path!


Visit your nearest National Library Singapore branch and borrow “Creative Art With Siblings” and “I Hear You” today! And don't forget to check out my other self-published works:

Aug 23

How to Start An Art Journal

Keeping a diary is a habit that many of us have either heard of or practiced at some point. When I was a child, I remember filling up countless diaries—some even came with special locks. Psychologists have long found that writing about our feelings can help our brains process emotions, leading to a happier state of mind.


Brain scans on volunteers showed that putting feelings down on paper reduces activity in a part of the brain called the amygdala, which is responsible for controlling the intensity of our emotions.*

But what if writing feels too cumbersome? Sometimes, it’s hard to put our feelings into words. Did you know that our brain is primarily an image processor, not a word processor? Research now suggests that a child’s first words are influenced by their visual experience with objects. Visual memories might be key to learning language. This is why, for many of us, creating an art journal may be easier and more effective than writing in a diary.


3 Easy Ways to Get Your Art Journal Ready

To start an art journal, you don’t need to worry about your art looking “good". The act of creating art—regardless of the outcome—has been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety, even if you’re doing it for just 15 minutes. The hardest part can often be getting started. A blank page can feel intimidating and lead to creative blocks.


That’s why I always prepare my art journal in advance, adding colours and patterns to blank pages. This way, when I’m ready to start journalling, the prepared pages inspire me to start easily. I recommend setting aside a day to prepare 5 to 10 pages at once, so you can create whenever the mood strikes. Here are 3 simple ways to prep your art journal:


1. Paint Big Patches on the Journal Page



Start by painting big patches on your journal pages using acrylic paint. Here’s how:

  • Create Borders: Use masking tape to create a border around the page, then paint the inside with one colour. Once the paint is dry, remove the tape.

  • Layer Colours: Paint two or three colours in a random order. This adds depth and interest to the pages.


2. Paint Patterns with Poster or Tempera Paint



Patterns add a creative flair to your journal pages:

  • Limit Your Palette: Choose two or three colors for a cohesive look. Start with one color and a simple pattern, such as blue circles.

  • Layer Patterns: Add another color and pattern on top. Repeat this process on different pages, changing the color palette and patterns to keep things fresh.


3. Tear or Cut Scrap Paper



Repurpose old artworks, magazine pages, or wrapping paper to add texture:

  • Tear or Cut: Rip or cut the paper into various shapes and sizes.

  • Colour Sort: If you have time, sort the scraps by color to create a more unified look.

  • Placement: Paste the pieces in one corner, at the edges, or in the center of the page for a dynamic effect.


TIP: Remember that some pages may need to dry between steps. Use a thin layer of paint to speed up the drying process, or use a hairdryer if needed. The key to a smooth preparation process is not to overthink it—move quickly and intuitively. Remember, this isn’t the final product. These prepared pages are simply prompts to help you start creating without feeling stuck.


Example of Art Journaling: Practicing Gratitude


gratitude practice and page

One day, I found myself feeling envious and comparing myself to others—a deep hole that I used to fall into often. Instead of letting those feelings consume me, I pulled out my art journal. A page that was previously just a brown patch of paint became a powerful exercise in gratitude.


I cut out letters from old artworks to spell "GRATITUDE" and drew leaves around the word. Then, I filled the leaves with things I was grateful for. This simple activity took only 20 minutes, but reading over the page again and again brought me peace and hope.


Ready to Start Art Journaling?

Art journaling is a therapeutic and creative way to express your feelings when words fail. It’s easy to begin—just grab a notebook, some paint, and scrap paper, and let your creativity flow. Happy journaling!


References:


Jul 28

I Can Draw Without Fears And Tears

Do you remember the times when we threw our hands up in the air in frustration and exclaimed, “I can’t draw!”? We then condemn our drawing as a failure and cry out with tears, “It doesn’t look like what it is supposed to be!”. 


It’s time to reframe this statement, “I Can’t Draw”. Everyone can draw; it’s just a matter of choosing the style that you like. The goal isn’t to create a masterpiece but to enjoy the process and express yourself.


Benefits of Drawing For Your Brain

When you draw, you activate different parts of your brain, which can lead to new ideas and innovative thinking.

  • Drawing activates your brain cells in both the right and left hemisphere of your brain as it involves both imagination and logic respectively. 

  • Drawing enhances memory by promoting  integration of elaborate pictorial and motor codes.

  • Drawing requires concentration, which can improve your ability to observe and focus.

  • Experimenting with different drawing styles and materials can help you see things from new perspectives. 

  • The process of translating your ideas onto paper can improve your problem-solving abilities.


Getting Started with Drawing

If you’re new to drawing or need some inspiration, here are a few tips to help you get started:

  1. Choose Your Materials: Select the drawing tools that you enjoy using, whether it’s color pencils, markers, crayons, oil pastels, or a mixture of everything! 

  2. Start with Simple Shapes: Don’t worry about creating a perfect masterpiece. Begin with simple shapes and build from there.

  3. Use Prompts and Guides: Sometimes, a little inspiration can go a long way. Look for drawing prompts and guides to spark your creativity.


dolphin drawing

Overcoming Frustration

Recently, a parent asked me for advice on how to help her child draw. Her child had been trying to draw a dolphin but with each try, he ends up in tears because his drawing just “did not look like a dolphin”. These are all very normal feelings. I myself had to practise a few times before I got the dolphin “right”. 


To help him, I would start by breaking down the dolphin into simple shapes. For example, you can start by explaining that the dolphin’s body looks like a ‘banana’ and its tail resembles a ‘w’. By simplifying the process, you make it accessible and enjoyable.


Download Our Dolphin Drawing Guide

Download our dolphin drawing guide and start creating today! Remember, the key to drawing is to enjoy the process and let your creativity flow. I always tell my students, “It’s not about being perfect, drawings are representations, they are not the REAL thing. Animals in particular are organic creatures and they are made out of organic shapes. Have fun drawing!” 




By reframing the statement “I can’t draw” and cultivating a drawing habit, you can unlock a world of creative possibilities! 


We'd love to see your drawings, hashtag #cartwheelssg or tag us at @cartwheelssg


References:

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