How's the quality of my illustration work?
I'm probably leaning towards a children's book illustration/freelance market but I am concerned I need to improve before I try submitting my stuff onto some illustration society websites for membership. Here's a link to some of my stuff online: http://ninjerina.deviantart.com/gallery/ Too amateur or should I try marketing my stuff now? If you have any critique/advice I would love to hear. Thanks
Drawing & Illustration - 4 Answers - 2010-06-22 01:20:48

Best Answer
I would recommend that you get involved with the SCBWI = Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, an international organization. Go to their website www.scbwi.org and find out if there is a chapter in your area. I would look at the Illustrators Gallery section for works by published and unpublished illustrators. If you have a local group you will meet like-minded individuals who are focused on the publishing industry. You can get feedback on your work and pointers on the ins and outs of the publishing world, as well as how to submit your work and get work. Go to www.danidraws.com for tips on how this illustrator got started. Give yourself a "one-shot" single piece illustration assignment: a classic fairy tale or Aesop's fable that is instantly recognizable without the benefit of text. You already have a sense for layout / poster / cover techniques. Make a "dummy" layout of a full blown picture book either in full sized sketch form or as a series of thumbnails both for practice and to showcase around. Then do at least 2 full color pieces for that work. It can be your own story or something in the public domain. You need to be able to demonstrate that you know how to work with text both visually and in the layout sense and can take a project from start to finish. You have a great sense of humor in your works which will carry you far in this business and a great color sense, also very important. Also you have an imaginative flair for character designs, also a huge plus. You're off to a great start, just keep working at it. This business is about patience and persistence. Also, spend time at a bookstore to see who is publishing what and study the market. Talk to the bookstore employees about what their favorite books are and why - what are the top sellers. Good luck!

All Answers
Answer 1
WOW!! I love how you add depth. Maybe you could submit it to childrens magazines for like cover art or Fantasy books!
2010-06-22 01:27:32

Answer 2
The only suggestions I can offer is to try different styles/themes.. if they're going to see variety in your work, it means you can draw almost anything they ask you to do. Try doing a small series of illustrations too - create some characters, write a small story plot, make 5-6 illustrations of them with different settings, facial expressions, body language. They are very impressive examples of your work, I especially love your colouring.. brings life to the pictures. You're on the right path and will go far =)
2010-06-22 08:28:25

Answer 3
Wow! This stuff is really amazing! You could make a really cool illustrated children's book with your art! You should start trying to market some of it now, since it takes time to do such things. Good luck! p.s. I love deviantart.
2010-06-25 14:01:01

Answer 4
I would recommend that you get involved with the SCBWI = Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, an international organization. Go to their website www.scbwi.org and find out if there is a chapter in your area. I would look at the Illustrators Gallery section for works by published and unpublished illustrators. If you have a local group you will meet like-minded individuals who are focused on the publishing industry. You can get feedback on your work and pointers on the ins and outs of the publishing world, as well as how to submit your work and get work. Go to www.danidraws.com for tips on how this illustrator got started. Give yourself a "one-shot" single piece illustration assignment: a classic fairy tale or Aesop's fable that is instantly recognizable without the benefit of text. You already have a sense for layout / poster / cover techniques. Make a "dummy" layout of a full blown picture book either in full sized sketch form or as a series of thumbnails both for practice and to showcase around. Then do at least 2 full color pieces for that work. It can be your own story or something in the public domain. You need to be able to demonstrate that you know how to work with text both visually and in the layout sense and can take a project from start to finish. You have a great sense of humor in your works which will carry you far in this business and a great color sense, also very important. Also you have an imaginative flair for character designs, also a huge plus. You're off to a great start, just keep working at it. This business is about patience and persistence. Also, spend time at a bookstore to see who is publishing what and study the market. Talk to the bookstore employees about what their favorite books are and why - what are the top sellers. Good luck!
2010-06-27 08:39:20