Reading more in the AGDM

Read through the Stock Illustration and Clip Art section today, found a few places where I might try to send some samples. Most of them specific they want consistent style that can be repeated. No lucky accidents as I have heard that term being used before. Also art reps may be  something to look at down the road once I get a few freelance jobs under my belt. Still feeling good about this. Been going through my older sketches or unfinished work. I do have quite a lot to work with. So I just have to iron out, or practice this printmaking style I am developing. I am feeling strongly about this style. I really like it and I think it is something I have always wanting to do. I might have to review my Photoshop files and dpi set up to get the right image. 

Style development continues

Went from Illustrator to Photoshop. Took some of my old illustrations and applied my printmaking inspired style to it. Really liking it. Taking a bit to adjust to Photoshop use, seems like more work but I think I am getting the hang of it. Using layers to separate the colours. Just like screening; one colour, one screen/layer. I am documenting every step like it was a formula of how I arrive at this style for future references. I think this step will really help to keep the consistency of the same look. I am putting in a couple of hours and rotate amongst working on a few illustrations at a time. Take a break from one and work on another. Got to make sure I have good posture while sitting in front of the computer for so long. My upper back and neck usually gets affected greatly. I have put up my playmobile fairy which was a gift ( Thanks Carolyn!) as my inspiration guide and a Ganesha statue, also a gift ( Thanks Tara!) as my removal of obstacles guide. 

developing a style

Finally putting some time on AI to develop a style. I am back to a printmaking style that is more like the exacto cut film screens, with the jagged edges. I am liking it. Need to work out the colours more. So far so good. I am sure if I keep at it, hopefully everyday, I will arrive on a look I am happy with. For now, I just need to do more. The good part is I do have a lot of sketches from before that is only pencil outlined. Now I can fill in the colours. Back to work.

Chapters

Went to Chapters and found current issues of Chirp and Owl magazine, also Highlights. I think I will send samples to Chirp: bright, cartoony, fun style, Highlights and Babybug, illustrate stories poems like nursery rhymes. I will do some cute characters for all. I think I will sketch them out with pencils, thicken the outline with a marker or felt, then scan it into AI. I know this is not a get rich scheme. I don't expect to get paid a lot, hopefully I will receive a one to two hundred dollars pay cheque in 8 months, I may be a bit optimistic.

 

Query Letter

Drafting a query letter. Trying to keep it short without making it into a CV.

Went through some older illustrations on my computer last night till late. Couldn't find some stuff on the hard drive, I hope I can find them later, although they were not all completed. In the past, I have done so many misc. illustrations for promo purposes but never got to putting it all together to send off. I was undecided about which route to take, fine arts or commercial? In 2006, I picked fine arts, now it's the time for commercial. I am still going through the numerous publication listings and their guidelines. Some of them says no cartoon, but the copy of that magazine I got from the library has cartoon style illustrations in it?!? I am thinking that I might add a section on my site to showcase the illustrations. I actually had a layout page made up already. Just have to follow through. 

went to the library

Today was a pretty full day. I ran a lot of errands with Lennox and managed to make it to the library to check out some books. I thought I would look for any audio books to see if I can listen to and illustrate them. I have concerns about seeing the existing artwork and being influenced by it. Maybe it is bringing back the assignment from school thing; the fear of being slaughtered during the class crit. Anyway, I will get over it. I couldn't find any audio books I was drawn to, and didn't make it to the magazine section to look through the editorials. I know my friend said that Children's illustration is very competitive, but my heart still want to start there. So I picked up a few kids magazines, catering from 6 months to 2 years old and 2-6 year. I know Lennos's influence will be strong so this is where I am starting. I also picked up the 2008 ed. of Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market guide. The good thing is I don't really feel that I am really starting from scratch. I do 2 or 3 editions of that guide and every edition I read, I get closer to it a little. It has been a slow process, but I think the timing is good now. I started the basic groundwork in 2006 when I started with the fine art direction. I was just flipping through the reject letters from galleries, as painful as they were to receive at that time, they are a great reminder that I am moving forward. It is a business, not a hobby. I did get a comment from one of the galleries saying that, "(your) portfolio was one of the best organized (I) had seen in a long time." I will take a look at what inventory in illustrations I actually have throughout all these years of "doodling" and start narrowing down for promo purposes. 

1 2 3 start

This is my first entry of how I am going to make illustrating a career. I have been very inspired by Holli Conger when I read about her in the Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market 2006. My son was about 2 then and I was quite inspired by the growing energy he brought me everyday. I sketched animals and creatures and managed to scan them into Photoshop to work on. One of my ideas was to do the alphabet with animals and I had sketched out most if not all of 26 creatures and developed a style that I like. Then life caught up with me and I never got a chance to take them to the next step towards promotion. 

Now my son is almost 5 and draws like a maniac. Watching him draw continuously is pushing me to pick up where I left off. I phoned my friend in Brooklyn who is an art director for a well known magazine and asked for some advice about what to include for my sample work. To my surprise, things haven't changed that much in the illustration world since I graduated from Art school. The examples she gave me were very much the same assignments we were doing in school, which made me feel a bit better to hear. Now my next step is to start reading. Yes, reading, articles and books I would like to illustrate. I don't really know how long it will take until I have enough samples to send out, but this blog will document my journey. I am excited to start, I don't feel too old or it's too late. I am excited to actually have the life experience and courage to pursue what I would love to do as a career. I am not afraid of criticism about my work. Some will like them, some will not, it is a business, not an ego trip.