Do you ever land on a website and feel like you’ve been there before?
But on closer inspection, you might find that site is actually new to you.
It wouldn’t be the first time.
Generic stock images make sites look like every other site.
How about making your own illustrations?
The idea of drawing my own blog images seemed crazy
I used to think I couldn’t draw.
I never felt I was creative.
But I was fed up with clichéd stock photography, and Sean D’Souza claimed he could teach anyone to draw. So, I decided to give it a go. In 2013, I joined Sean’s Da Vinci drawing course.
The result?
6 months after starting the course and drawing almost daily, I published my first drawing on my website:
I published that drawing on 7 January 2014. I remember it well.
The evening before publication, I tried to perfect the drawing. The nose of Henrietta wasn’t pointing in the right direction, her finger was odd, or the perspective was wrong. I drew 7 or 8 versions before deciding Henrietta would never be perfect.
Yet, it was that lack of perfection that appealed to many people. As Caroline wrote: “I like it simply because it *is* hand-drawn and doesn’t look ‘too’ professional.”
Hand-drawn images are more personal. As Dan Roam, chief advocate of using simple drawings for business, suggests, the roughness of simple images makes them more inviting and less intimidating.
The advantages of drawing your own images are manifold. You can express your ideas rather than use images for mere decoration. You can communicate with more impact and make your message more memorable. Your brand stands out as no one will mistake your hand-drawn images for someone else’s.
Drawing taught me to let go of perfectionism
Publishing that first drawing on my blog taught me to aim for “good enough” rather than try to achieve perfection.
I don’t need to compare my drawings with the art of my favorite illustrators like Quentin Blake (best known from his illustrations of Roald Dahl books) and André Franquin (the Belgian creator of the comic book series Guust Flater, known as Gaston in the English-speaking world).
My acceptable standard isn’t their acceptable standard. I draw to express my ideas, and I hope that sometimes my illustrations make you smile. No exhibition-standard required.
The idea of a personal “good enough” has been liberating. I became less critical of myself. I feel curious rather than anxious. I play and experiment more. I focus on the process of creation, and I’m less worried about results.
Above all, I learned the value of “good enough.”
This doesn’t mean I don’t strive to be better. What I produce today is good enough for today. Tomorrow, I’ll perhaps make something better.
It has been a crazy journey
Who would have ever thought this could happen?
5 years ago, I struggled to draw a circle, and now my hand-drawn images have appeared on Inc.com, HubSpot, Orbit Media, and MarketingProfs.
And what’s more …
My new mugs featuring Henrietta are now available to inspire writers and their friends. The first orders have already been shipped to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Belarus, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, the US and the UK.
Haven’t seen the mugs yet? Browse the US store or the
UK shop. The mugs are shipped worldwide by Zazzle.
A celebration of Henrietta
Henrietta is my cartoon character. As my alter ego, she is a little braver and more outgoing than me. She inspires and encourages me.
I created the infographic below to celebrate her. With special thanks to my drawing teachers Sean D’Souza, Alison Beere, Koosje Koene and her colleagues at SketchbookSkool.
Thank you also to everyone else who has encouraged me on my drawing journey, who has purchased a mug already and who has helped support the launch (it’s been fun!).
Grab the embed code below to display the image on your website:
Let Henrietta inspire you
Gill Andrews wrote on LinkedIn about her Magic Creativity Mug (pictured in the middle):
(…) And while you can’t talk to a friend every time you experience that impostor syndrome, you can always look at the mug, read the words and remember Henneke’s many thoughtful posts on how you’re good enough, and that you should just take a deep breath and keep going.
The enchanting mugs for writers and their friends are printed by Zazzle and shipped worldwide:
More hand-drawn infographics:
How to write faster
Your writing process: 7 perfectionism pitfalls
How to write a sales page
When I started reading your blog, the images captivated me.
I couldn’t resist but shoot you an e-mail on how you go about it. You did not disappoint. You promptly replied with a link to this post.
I just love Henrietta and this blog because of the value it adds.
I hope it inspires me to get images on love for my relationship blog!
Thanks loads.
Such lovely feedback. Thank you, James. Henrietta sends her love. She feels chuffed that you like her so much.
I hope you’ll start drawing for your blog, too.
I love you and I love this post. I’ve been drawn to illustrating my own blog with hand drawn images but I keep thinking that my potential readers want to see refined, high-budget animated images but reading this post reminds me that this is not the case. You and Henrietta have inspired me to move forward in the best way by letting go of my fears.
Yay! I’m delighted to read that you’re letting go of your fears so you can move forward and illustrate your own blog. You get a big thumbs up from Henrietta! 🙂
I have been reading your posts and they have really inspired me.
After being a writer since late 2011, I have started, AND ABANDONED 3 blogs.
Your posts have finally convinced me to do it…. And this time do it well.
Thank you about the drawings part.
I am a 3D graphics artist, and now embracing sketching on the computer…..
Anyhow, thanks for the great and inspiring words.
Kudos.
Thank you, Anthony. That makes me happy!
Hi Henneke,
I absolutely love your images, I had tried this before myself with stick men, but was not happy with the result – was looking for perfection! Will look into the course you recommended so thanks for that 🙂
I have to ask how do you get your drawings from paper and onto your web pages, is there a software you use for that?
Oh I too have made the jump from perfect to “just get it done”. The result of this is very freeing. I have been loads more productive since.
Thanks for your great website, which is inviting, and homely. I love reading it and being lead along the way seamlessly from page to page. I have bought your books and will totally redesign my site with a personal touch. So thanks again 🙂
Have a great day,
Dyl 🙂
(Vocal Coach Dylan)
Thank you for your lovely comment, Dylan.
I scan my drawings and then use software to retouch pencil smudges and resize the image. It’s a fairly basic process and many programs can do it.
Happy drawing!
Wow, H. Your innovative ideas blow me totally. I must attend your course sooner than later.
Thank you, Bernice 🙂
Such an inspire story, great lectures lots of learning from your site, I am nuts about writing English is my second language, I have a Q for Henrietta is the drawing from a pc program or hand drawing? I am on my baby steps for my ecommerce store.
Thanks a lot for your help
Adri
I draw Henrietta by hand with colored pencils on paper. See the tools drawn at the bottom of the infographic. I scan the drawings to upload them to WordPress.
This is an excellent piece of writing Henneke! Who would deny that a picture is worth a thousand words when designed and expressed as per the ideas you have shared? I think I have slowly become an addict to reading your blog articles since 2015.
Keep up with your excellent work. You inspire so many people than you will ever imagine. Writing is beautiful when done the way you have been doing it, Lol!
Regards
Tony Craig
Thank you for your lovely compliment, Tony. I’ll do my best to keep it up 🙂
Love the article, but if I could attach the tries at this I would certainly give everyone a good laugh! Lol I enjoyed the article and guess I will just have to stick with my digital artistry for the time being! Well done. 😀
My digital artistry is almost non-existent. Each to their own 🙂
And I’m sure your efforts are not as bad as you think!
Love this Henneke! Congrats! (yes, I owe you an email 😉 )
Thank you, Leanne. It was so much fun to write (and draw) about drawing for a change! (And no hurry about the email :-))
A very interesting post, Henneke. These drawings look amazing. Cartoon characters that reflect the spirit or the essence of a business can help form an emotional bond with the customer. Brands can also create a distinctive image of themselves in the market through such characters.
Thank you, Martin. I like your point about creating an emotional bond. That feels true to me!
Hi Henneke,
I’m a big fan of your hand-made sketches for blog posts. The thing is that last year I talked to a couple of stock photography sites and their rules and regulations pushed me away from buying their subscriptions.
Then I decided to take photos with my DSLR and smartphone; that was the only way to come up with original and fresh images. I have been doing that ever since. My point was the same; I didn’t want to use the same stock photos that five million bloggers were already using.
In fact, I wrote a blog post and titled it “Every Blogger Uses Free Stock Photos – Here’s What You Should Do To Stand Out” to explain the whole process.
Your blog post is a validation to what I decided to do.
Thank you so much.
Hi Hassaan – I love your idea to take your own photos. This makes your images unique, and it’s probably also a lot quicker than drawing!
Do you use any specific techniques to come up with ideas for images to go with your posts?
Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it, as always. 🙂
Hello Henneke,
What I always do is that I note down my next two to three blog post titles. So it gives a sense of direction; not only does it help in finding the suitable examples for the content, but it also plays a role in capturing relevant photos.
I use my smartphone to capture photos, and I know exactly where I’d be using them.
So the whole process does seem so simple, but I know that I might not be able to pull this off if I don’t know the blog post topic. So that’s the key in it.
Hello Hassaan, it sounds like you’ve got a really good system for making sure you have unique and relevant photos, without it taking much extra time. Nice!
I love your drawings. I often have a concept in my mind and wish that I could translate it into a drawing but I have no skills other than stick figures – lol! Any advice for getting started? I looked at the course by Sean and it’s booked until 2019.
I learned a lot from copying simple drawings (like Snoopy). You also may want to check out Koosje Koene’s tips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/koosjeko1975. Alison Beere also shares useful tips on her blog: https://alisonbeere.com/
Or check out some of my book recommendations: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/best-books-on-writing/#drawing
Thank you so much for your recommendations! I will look at all of these resources. 🙂
I listened to your interview with Marsha on Jon Morrow’s Guest Blogging Course. I really enjoyed what you had to say and am on your website. I love to draw and would also suffer from the perfection problem, so thank you for the insight and thoughts on how much more personal my blog will be.
You Rock!
Donna
Welcome, Donna. I’m glad you found your way here. Happy blogging!
Thank you, Henneke! You have inspired me to learn to draw. I’ve never been good at it, but now I feel like that doesn’t matter so much after all :-).
Woohoo! That makes me happy, Dana. Enjoy! 🙂
Dear Henneke,
While I admire your drawing (and writing), I have trouble believing that anybody can draw. Letting go of perfectionism is one thing, knowing how to draw is another. I’m afraid my lack of artistic skills was firmly cemented in my mind when I managed to scape a measly 28% in the end of year art exams at school all those years ago.
– David
I dropped out of art lessons long before the exams. I might have managed a similar measly score!
I really think it depends on your definition of what it means to be able to draw. We don’t need to turn ourselves into graphic novelists, award-winning illustrators or famous painters, but drawing simple stick figures to explain our ideas is probably achievable for everyone giving it a go. For me, it’s not about creating art, it’s about expressing my ideas.
I love this concept Henneke. Especially because self-drawing allows you to dissolve the fear-based notion of perfectionism, as noted. I post super rough and ready photos to my blog regularly. Not quite like self-drawing but it achieves a similar end; I am at peace with my photos, me, and being genuine and simple in all I do.
Ryan
PS…great drawings! I would write stick figures LOL.
I’ve found that drawing is a great way to cure perfectionism. With writing, it’s so easy to keep polishing endlessly, but when you draw with ink and colored pencils, you have to learn to accept your mistakes. Because if you can’t live with the mistake, you have to start the drawing again from scratch. That’s too much work!
Your mugs are awesome, Henneke! As is your creative journey 🙂
I’ve just ordered two of your mugs, which I’ll be giving away on social media. Now I just have to think of a fitting competition or challenge…
Thanks for the timely reminder about creating your own artwork without worrying about it being good enough.
I’ve been meaning to launch my own web comic, as a kind of fun supporting act for my life coaching business.
The self-limiting belief of not being able to draw is what’s held me back. But I think I’ve found a way to turn that ‘shortcoming’ into a virtue.
I love your idea of a web comic and your drawings don’t have to be great to communicate your ideas. You don’t have to be the next Picasso or Van Gogh 🙂
Thank you so much for buying two mugs, Bart, and what a fun idea to do a challenge on social media. Let me know if there’s something I can do to help?
Ha! I love the picture with you next to Henrietta. The big lion makes me think of Aslan 😉
I hope the mugs get rolled out all over the globe. Cheers to you!
I had made that picture with me and Henrietta originally just for Instagram, but it had such a great reaction that I decided to turn it into an infographic for here. It’s pretty clear that Henrietta is the one in the driving seat, eh? 😉
I can’t believe the mugs are already shipped across the globe!
Thank you, what a fun article! I love drawing but had never thought about using it for my blog. I had a favorite character to draw as a kid and may revive him …
How do your illustrations go from your sketchbook into your blog, please? I can only think of uploading photos of them, but I’m sure your system is much more sophisticated!
(Perhaps a topic for a follow-up blog post?)
My system isn’t sophisticated at all. I simply scan the image (using a simple Epson scanner), digitally erase pencil smudges, and then re-size the image before I upload it to my blog. I’ve found that some paper creates a grey-ish tint when scanning (even if it looks perfectly white to me). So if that happens, you may need to try different paper.
Happy drawing!
Thank you SO much for the swift reply and helpful information!
I’ll get to it. ?
I’ve often thought of using my ‘doodles’ or doodling images for my blog posts… your drawings in your posts always make me feel good. I think I’ll give it a go.
Thanks Henneke-Henrietta !
Yes, give it ago! Doodles are good for sharing on Instagram, too.
I’ve passed on your thanks to Henrietta. She says hello 🙂
This is a shift making blog post.
Images are the first visual element of your blog post. And if you can nail it then you rock.
As of now, my website is dull. Because there is only text content.
Once, I am content with the written words – I will add images. And hand drawn images would be one of the options. Let’s see how this unfolds.
Either way, loved your images – they shine.
That’s a good point — images are usually the first thing people see when they arrive at your site. We have to get that first impression right! 🙂
I’m glad you like my images, Rohan. Thank you.
“Good enough for today”, I like that. I’ve always been a “good enough” drawer. This blog post gave me a bit more confidence to just go for it. I’m going to continue to develop my own style and stop comparing my amateur sketches to my favorite artists. Thanks, Henneke.
PS – I know I don’t comment often, but I read all your posts! 😉
We don’t have to become the next Van Gogh to enjoy drawing!
Thank you for stopping by, Dave. I appreciate it 🙂
What a fun post! I always love to get inside someone’s creative process, thanks for sharing! It’s incredible to see how Henrietta has evolved over time.
I’ve been trawling through my archives and it’s interesting to see how much Henrietta changed, and still remains recognizable. It’s been fun to “assemble” this infographic!
This is fantastic! But I live in the stone age…how do you draw on a web page?
I live in the stone age, too 🙂 I draw on paper, then scan, then upload to my WordPress site.
Your quick drawing lesson showing how to create a character really brought back some memories for me. I was only about 7 or 8 years old when I learned from one of my mothers books on drawing to use the lines and circles to create a basic outline of a figure for either people or animals. This method works!
I found it amazing, too, how much you can draw using just a few simple shapes. Even Snoopy is just a few circles!
Excellent info Henneke! Btw, was wondering how do you put/publish your hand drawn cartoons online?
Rahul
I scan the drawings with a simple Epson scanner. I often have to remove a few pencil smudges digitally. Also, when I don’t have time to hand-letter the title, I’ll add the title digitally. But the drawing is as it is on paper.
Fabulous Henneke! You may have inspired me to draw again. I used to love it, but get so busy, but it would make an impact. I do so much digitally these days.
So, you make the drawing and then scan them in the computer? This would give me the chance to create a fictional character based on my target audience.
I love the idea!
Who knows, maybe next I’ll start writing songs again.
I’ve stuck to my analog pencils because it’s so lovely to feel and see the pencils make a mark on paper. It’s also great to get away from staring at a computer screen.
And yes, I make the drawings on paper and then scan them. I often have to erase a few pencil smudges digitally, but that’s it. They are real drawings. I have a pile of them, unsure whether I should keep them or throw them away.
Beautiful post, Henrietta… er, Henneke! I love the realness of your analogue tools and how you take such simple character beginnings and make them into great communication.
?❤️
P.S. I also ❤️ the fact that your readers feel safe because of Henrietta. She really embodies such a range of human emotions.
In this world of apps and hacks, we often seem to forget how much we can do with a few simple analog tools!
And isn’t it amazing indeed, that Henrietta makes people feel safe? I didn’t know that. But it is really true when I say she inspires me.
Thank you for all your encouragement at the start of my drawing journey. ?❤
Ah, where should I start?
First of all, warmest congratulations re your latest project, dear Henneke! I love to see Henrietta embarking to different cities every day to help people all over the world write! ❤️️
I never thought about how it all started, to be honest, and I couldn’t even imagine you not drawing. Thank you for sharing your story.
This also may be my favorite “Henriettagraphic” of all times!
We rarely see many Henriettas side by side, so it’s only now that I noticed how expressive she is. I mean, how you manage to draw her to communicate an emotion perfectly (infographic part #2 is my favorite).
I think this is one of the challenges of creating a cartoon character – making her/him show emotions (and not just sit there as a collection of dots).
And of course, what a lovely surprise to see my own face in your post today ? Thank you for everything! ?
It is true. Since I left school, I hadn’t been drawing, so picking up my pencils to draw blog images was a big adventure!
The trick to drawing emotions is to learn from other cartoonists. Or alternatively, to do image search on Google for “angry face” or “disappointed face” and then translate that to a simple drawing. I love drawing facial expressions! 😀
Wow. Thank you for this post. Your drawings gave me trust in your blog even before I actually read it, because they made me smile.
Once I had an advertisement emergency in a night, and I came up with a drawing, actually pen transferred on a picture on my iPad, as I never tried to draw before. I was ridiculed from my employees (I didn’t know the manager I just hired had a professional drawing education). I didn’t realize they were ridiculing me because they were trying to empathize with my boss, the one who didn’t give me the budget for the professional ad. (That boss was also my ex partner and this was the problem).
This is why Henrietta empathized with me at first sight. I didn’t realize before this post. Because she was so brave to come out and stand!
It will be my flag from now on to follow her, so I need a collection of mugs. Going to buy right now.
Many thanks and congratulations for Henrietta’s birth and growth!
Thank you for sharing your story, Daniela. People can criticize us for so many reasons and sometimes it has nothing to do with our actual work. I’m sorry you were in such a tricky situation.
I appreciate your ordering a Henrietta mug. I hope Henrietta will inspire you as much as she inspires me! Will you email me a selfie once you’ve received your mug? I’d love to add you to my gallery 🙂
That was a very lovely way to get me to think about the problems I need to solve for my readers. Thank you and your illustrations are so cute!
Ha, yes! There’s a “secret message” in the infographic about writing for your readers to solve their problems and make them feel happier 🙂
Hi Henneke, I’ve always liked your little pictures. Not only are they individual and quirky, they tell little stories that people can relate to very easily. I always search for Henrietta when I read your posts, because she reassures me and makes me feel safe. More please!
That’s such a lovely comment. Somehow, simple drawings are easier to relate to than photographs. Have you found that, too? I once read somewhere that a simple drawing makes it easier to picture ourselves in the same situation—you can’t do that so easily with a photo. I’m not sure whether that’s proven, but I can imagine it works like that.
Such an inspiring article! You made me want to start drawing again 🙂 I was even thinking of making little characters for my colleagues to put on our blog but was afraid it wouldn’t look professional enough… Maybe I should just do it. Worst case: we won’t use them for our blog but I’ll have had a lot of fun making them 😉
Yes, go for it. It’s a lot of fun! 🙂
Great illustrations. I totally agree with you that your drawings make you stand out.
Best wishes, Tine
Thank you, Tine. Once I let go of perfectionism, drawing has been so much fun, too!
On my fridge I have a magnet saying ‘Perfect is the enemy of done’!! Sooo true. Being a bit of a perfectionist myself, it can be very ‘scary’ to let it go. But my magnet reminds me of getting things done. And your post as well. Thanks.
It’s all in the head 😉
I remind myself that getting things done means being able to move to the next project 🙂
This is an absolutely amazing article and guide. I love your drawings. They are fantastic! And you can sell you enchanting mugs on Amazon also 🙂
Thank you, Nadiia. 🙂 I’ve not looked into selling on Amazon yet. I don’t want to set myself up as a seller as I want to avoid the EU VAT rigmarole but there might be a way to do it.
Excellent Henneke!
Thank you, Alfred!