Plenty of articles have been written about the importance of using photographs in your blog posts to add visual interest and break up large blocks of text. Some discuss where to source images and provide guidelines on appropriate use and copyright restrictions.
Others might offer advice on shooting, editing, and adding watermarks to your own photographs. Still others might share tips on working with online or smartphone apps to enhance or add text to photos.
I find these sorts of posts to be incredibly helpful and will almost always click over to read them and add any new information I discover to my own files.
But you know what? There’s another option for adding visual components to your post.
Yes, photographs are great, but if you’re willing to think outside the box, there’s another, largely untapped, resource ready and waiting to complement and add value to your blog posts in a fresh, new way: your art work! Here are 5 ways to incorporate your art work into a blog post.
1. Use sketches to outline the steps of a project.
Create your own sketch or series of progress drawings to illustrate a project concept, provide step-by-step instructions, or document the artistic process (here’s an example from The Twisty Tree).
2. Illustrate your posts with recurring characters.
Ever read Hyperbole and a Half, or perhaps The Animated Woman? Both bloggers have their own distinctive artistic style and use recurring characters to tell their stories and add personality to their blog posts.
3. Use your art work as a springboard for a blog series.
Tap into your artistic skills and knowledge by developing a recurring blog series to inform, teach, or bring awareness to a particular art form.
For example, I channeled my passion for Zentangle® (a method created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas) into a weekly “Tangled Tuesday” blog series, using my own art work to illustrate the posts.
4. Incorporate children’s art work into your posts.
You proudly display your child’s (or niece’s, nephew’s, grandchild’s, etc.) art work on the refrigerator. Now take it a step further and share it with the world as part of your blog post!
5. Create custom art work for a specific post.
Sometimes the photo you’re hunting down just doesn’t seem to exist, or, when you do find it, you discover with dismay that it’s copyright-protected. What a perfect opportunity to DIY and create your own personal, custom piece of art to accompany your post!
Illustrating your posts is important… but it doesn’t always have to be with photographs. Add an extra personal touch to your blog posts and give your art a chance to shine – your readers will love it!
Got any other ideas about incorporating art into a blog post?
Please share!
Twitter: RamblinGarden
May 7, 2015
I’ve done #5 (photographs, because photography is my main artistic interest) a lot of times. I don’t ever use stock photos. But as for using my own art – I would have to get into drawing or painting. So far, I haven’t tried to do this – I enjoy photography way too much. For someone with an artistic bent, though, this article would be an excellent source of ideas.
Alana recently posted… Tulipmania
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Thanks, Alana! I’ve used stock photos (from legitimate sources), but lately have been using my own more and more – depends on what I need. One day I’ll have to write a post about various sources for legitimate stock photos!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
Twitter: 1951
May 7, 2015
You have to be the best zentangler I’ve seen.
Carol Cassara recently posted… Prisoners of our own device
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Awww, thank you Carol! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
Twitter: vinithadileep
May 7, 2015
Nice tips, Laurel.
Vinitha recently posted… Words!!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Thank you, Vinitha!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
Twitter: shilpaagarg
May 7, 2015
Great suggestions, Laurel! i like the idea of using recurring characters in a post. I think that would give a distinct look and appeal to the whole blog, the one people can relate to easily!
Shilpa Garg recently posted… AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Thank you so much, Shilpa!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
Your tips are really good. Till now I just use my own photos or stock pics or quote pics that I create.
Rachna recently posted… Sports shoes for regular wear
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Thank you, Rachna!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
Wow! That’s some beautiful artwork! Not everyone is that creative though! 😀
Roshni recently posted… What it’s like to be an introvert married to an extrovert
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Thank you! I think everyone is creative in SOME way or another – you just have to find it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
Twitter: parul2411
May 8, 2015
Great tips! I am not very arty but I do use pictures that I have clicked vs. ising from Google and that gives me a feeling of that personal touch. I wish I could zentangle as you do 🙂
Parul recently posted… The Right to Abortion
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Thank you! You might want to give tangling a try… you never know what you could do!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
Twitter: dramamamafive
May 8, 2015
Laurel,
Wow, this is just so cool! I’m an artist and have done a couple of things but you’ve broadened my imagination on how I can incorporate my art into my posts, and thank you!
I’ve got a series going: Sketchbook Thursday: have you seen it? Permit me a share:
http://vomitingchicken.com/sketchbook-thursday-unlock-your-creativity-by-sketching-with-your-child/
Amy recently posted… {this moment}
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2015
Thank you so much, Amy – glad you liked the post! I will check out your series for sure – thanks for sharing!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 5 Ways to Incorporate Your Art Work Into a Blog Post
You’re very talented. I cannot draw to save myself, but do love playing with my photographs. I try never to use anyone else’s photo on any of my blogs.
Mali recently posted… Let there be light
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 9, 2015
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Detail
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