19 Comments
User's avatar
Marc Johns's avatar

Yes! The world needs more handwritten newsletters.

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Bone folder press's avatar

I like this format. Do what you need to do.

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Kate Horowitz's avatar

i've been in this same place for so long. brain says NO WRITE, ONLY DRAW, which makes life as a writer a bit difficult. on the other hand, my cartoons have never been better. sending care and gratitude.

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Elinor Abbott's avatar

i appreciated this, thank you. things are very hard rn.

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Katy Mutch's avatar

Really love this. I’ve been neglecting my Substack, and you’ve inspired me to return with something more real & handwritten. Thank you!

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Damian's avatar

Brilliant way to write a post. Loved it!!

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Faux Jean's avatar

I’m feeling you on that present moment business.

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Debi Gliori's avatar

2025 is the gah that keeps on gah-ing. What a clusterfuck of a time but you’re right; hard as it is emotionally and financially, making art is vital right now. Cheering you on from a chaotic studio near Edinburgh.

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Rebecca's avatar

Stumbled across this newsletter - great format. There's something more immediate about pencil and paper that typing can't replicate.

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Spencer Tweedy's avatar

❤️

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Suzette Vida's avatar

Love this!

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Anna Kohlweis / Squalloscope's avatar

i love this, i relate to this, i should buy new pencils.

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Brooke Barker's avatar

Great pencil <3 I always loved your pen parade and love this pencil post. Boaz and I just read a graphic novel for kids, or I don't know what it technically was, but it was called Into The Bewilderness, and I realized at the end when I read the notes that all the line art had been drawn in pencil. I'm glad pencils and trees exist.

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Hallie Bateman's avatar

Ooh I will check it out! ❤️

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Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell's avatar

Damn good pencil you got there

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Lucy Engelman's avatar

Love this. Thanks for sharing so honestly, Hallie!

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Danii Marin's avatar

Technical question: how do you remove the paper texture and background when digitizing ?

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Hallie Bateman's avatar

I use smooth paper (this was printer paper but Bristol works great too) and adjust the levels and curves in photoshop.

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Danii Marin's avatar

Thanks. I use my iPhone… and play with image levels but never achieve that white background that blends well with Substack

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