@Braden-Hallett I have a basic question: is there a way to post daily exercise in this topic without it being a reply?

I can’t stop thinking of the darn billboard. I’ve done it to. The question comes in “well, what do you draw, I have this idea in my head.” Then I say, “You name it I can do it.” I usually regret when I say that! But I haven’t agreed to a billboard!

@demotlj the dip pen is the most difficult of all—great job!

@Kasey-Snow Thanks, yeah! I've both read and watch the Secret Garden. I love that story! I think it could have for sure been some of the inspiration for the building of my little flower garden. Tasha Tudor was also another big inspiration for my garden building as well. @BichonBistro Yeah! Thats exactly what I was going for in #3! I was wanting mama squirrel to look a shadow or an angel of sorts. I think it could really portray that when it gets colored. @coley yeah, I think #2 is for sure one of my top favs! Its hard to pick! Thanks for your input!

@Erin-Cortese I thought more of the stills from the short itself, such as this one You know, light only in the necessary places, very loose. The comicbook ones tend to be a bit more detailed, depite still being simple. I have been, however, looking up with admiration to artwork like that and that essentialy lead me to creating this fisherman Have you read the Dam Keeper graphic novels? I am thinking about buying them but there is soo many artbooks and comicbooks that I'd like to buy that I am unsure how soon should I get it Back to the artwork though, I made some changes Most of them happend on the character itself, I added some more subtle shadows to show some more form and to make certain things ( like his head, which is my focal point, afterall ) pop out. I played around with adding gradients to the reflection to push distinction between it and the boat but decided to step back. It started getting more cluttered in there and ended up killing my initial idea of being extremely simple. I tried to go for some subtle light bouncing off the water but again, it started getting too cluttered. DAMN HE LOOKS SO POOR POSTED NEXT TO THE DAM KEEPER'S STILL Anyways, there are not many changes and not everything you guys told me was used here. I just want to say that I do not take your advice for granted, some of them just didn't fit the direction I meant to take it. I am still extremely grateful for all that you've written. All the kind words also made me feel a bit more secure with what I did here

Great podcast! Totally speaks to where my mind is right now. I feel like I’ve kinda hit a good point in where I want to be artistically. I think sometimes we put validation as an artist on the “demand” for our work and the amount of money we can bring in from it. Being patient with the journey it takes to be full time can be hard. And you guys being up front about the other tasks and stresses helps us see what we would be trading if we transitioned. The example of the Home Depot guy was great. Basically, if you are happy where you are, stop worrying about the amount of work you are getting and focus on the art you want to make, and then make incredible work! I don’t think I’ll ever be full time. But if I had to choose the amount and type of work that I would do, it’s almost what I have now. I have a store that wants new seasonal notecards. Which is what I love to paint. And my friend needs spot food illustrations for her cooking school for kids. There are more projects I want to do within those clients, but I’m good for now. I would love to have an open house and workshop this November. I want to teach a class and then have my work on display for people to purchase. So.... @Lee-White share all the frame knowledge you got! I really don’t want to go to micheals or ikea for adorable frames! And the business classes from lee are amazing! Make sure you guys check those out! I feel everyone who is trying to make this work and especially transition to full time needs to listen to those!

Overall, I think it's psychologically realistic and specific enough to be interesting! What @Su said! Cannot say better neither! Lovely work!

Interesting topic! So I understand there are only one or 2 softwares that compare to photoshop when it comes to illustration. From those who are fully equiped, could you tell me what budget I would need to start with for a basic equipment and basic software features? At the moment I have a 13 year old mac book (which unfortunately does not support SVS videos ) and... that s pretty it! As I am not into tech, I have also no experience at all. Do I need to acquire a surface tablet and a pen? I would like to be able to try quickly variation in my compositions and clean the background before printing / editing. I am not a professional and dont want to be... just working on a book for hobby. Many thanks all!

Thank you everyone. I thought about this piece over and over again and since I don't like scary stuff, I'm not liking this piece too much. The ghosts are a little scarier to my liking. I think I need to find a balance between my first and second versions

@jakecrowe I love your idea of making some of the animals look back! I think that'll help emphasise the overall mood. Thank you for the suggestion! I understand what you mean by sizing the animals to make it more dynamic. But I'm really struggling with how to do that without it eating up on the "quietness" of the empty night sky. @MichaelaH Thank you for your suggestion. Yes a cool blue glow from the moon would work just right! @DOTTYP thank you! (psst... yes they managed to escape :))

@burvantill Didn't quite understand what was going on, then I saw the skull. Ohhh, good stuff!

@Chip-Valecek that sounds like an interesting treatment

@Sofie-Schollaert, that is super cute!

The only place I can find it is at the bottom left of the landing page.

@DOTTYP thank you!

Thank you! I thought it might have been a good idea to announce my "enrollment" here!

Hey everyone! It has been awhile, but college started for me again so I finally have access to a scanner. I just want to share some sketches I have made over the summer. I have good bunch, so I will release two or three over the next few days. Comments and thoughts welcome! Some simple face studies. Tried to translate my knowledge about the head into some character designs.

Wow! It is always really cool to see the process. How a napkin sketch can turn into a really interesting and useful illustration. What inspired this logo idea?

@peteolczyk @Coreyartus @Amanda-Jean Yes I also became a member only last week and couldn’t find the prompt for August but I found it from another SVS forum post. SCBWI hasn’t updated the prompt on their website and neither have they uploaded the current months insight. So it was really by chance that I found out topic. The insight newsletter is emailed to all the members on the first of the month.