Categories
books peer artists

Blog link: What size should I illustrate my children’s book?

Heather Castle’s blog has some great information for aspiring children’s book illustrators. Her latest post tackles the question, “What size should I illustrate for children’s books?”
http://blog.illustrationcastle.com/2009/11/03/faqs-what-size-should-i-illustrate-for-childrens-books/
The biggest takeaway from this is don’t provide finished illustrations for the whole book. It will take you forever and won’t help you sell the book. Provide sketches and perhaps one, finished illustration.
You never what to hear from and editor who says, “The story was great, but the illustrations are a bit off.” I’ve seen it before. It happens. Your illustrations may be great, but not quite the angle the editor would like to go. Or it could go the other way. The publisher loves your illustration style but thinks the story is drivel. If that’s the case, you have quite a portfolio piece, but a couple of illustrations would have sufficed.
It’s the KISS method, friends! Keep it simple, Silly!
Categories
Illustration Friday Illustrators peer artists

Cartoonist/Illustrator Ricco Schacherl

Today, I discovered the work of Ricco Schacherl of Johannesburg, South Africa. He had a delightful cartoon for Illustration Friday’s word, “flying.”


I like how the cartoon shows the tension and hope in spreading your wings and flying. At the same time, the “kick me” sign shows it’s not easy spreading your wings.

Here’s the link to the site.

http://dogatesketchbook.blogspot.com/2009/10/illustration-friday-flying.html
Categories
illustration illustration business peer artists

The Business of Children’s Illustration

Paige Keiser at the Fox in Socks blog has an interesting post on the business of children’s illustration. http://paigekeiser.blogspot.com/2009/10/5-quick-tips-to-getting-published-in.html

Not only is it her professional advice, but the advice of other pro illustrators. Illustration is a business. Sure, the artsy part of us loves to be free and unfettered. But if someone wants to make a living in the field, they have to put in the hard work just like any other business.
The post is chocked full of practical advice. I recommend checking it out.