HELP! Art Style & Illustration Agents?

[geekinm]

I have seen similar style to you in books - The Legend of Podkin One Ear (5 Realms) by Kieran Larwood illustrated by David Wyatt. Chapter books for 8+ year olds. I read them during covid lockdown home schooling!

www.davidwyattillustration.com

Maybe take a look at his website for some more info.

I don't think he does picture books more on the chapter book side.

[geekinm]

See also Jonny Duddle www.jonny-duddle.com

[MarcRobinson]

@Jeremiahbrown Thanks mate. I appreciate the good vibes. I've not yet tried to get representation, and I'm really grateful for all the advice from you guys. And this is the first time I've ever heard the term "vision holes". I like it.

[MarcRobinson]

@kirsten-mcg Thank you Kirsten, I appreciate the kind words. I was definitely concerned when I saw the lack of my style on all of these websites. But like you say, just because it's not on trend, doesn't mean there isn't room for it. It's funny you should mention black and white work, because I was just thinking of adding some inked linework pieces that could fit in the interior of some kids novels. Maybe I'm just getting ahead of myself and psyching myself out. Once I start sending my stuff out in the spring, hopefully it'll all work out. Hopefully your agent will find you some jobs soon, but I'm encouraged by your example of looking for stuff yourself. I admire your entrepreneurial spirit! I have a habit of talking myself out of things, so maybe this time I should have some faith.

[MarcRobinson]

@Jeremy-Ross cheers mate. Thanks for the podcast tip, I'll definitely listen to that this week.

[MarcRobinson]

@ArtMelC I used to have a Twitter but got rid of it a couple of years ago because I wasn't using it. I'll have to create a new one for my art and see what I can find! thanks for the tip off!

[MarcRobinson]

@ArtistErin Thank you. I have to tell myself to have faith things will work out if I keep at it. Thank you for the Brandon Dorman tip off! His stuff is really cool and reassuring that a style similar to mine is getting loads of work. I wish I'd seen his pirate book sooner, because the cover pose would have been helpful for reference ha! Sometimes it can feel that doing something you love for a living is only for other people, but like you say, this isn't the case. Thank you.

[MarcRobinson]

@geekinm You know what, I've never thought of a portfolio review. Once I get a few more pieces together I'll have to get on that. Thank you!

[MarcRobinson]

@geekinm Now you mention it, I've seen David Wyatt stuff in my local book shop. And I have a couple of Jonny Duddle books somewhere too. For some reason I'd never considered their stuff similar to mine, but I guess you're right. There must be room for my stuff somewhere. Thanks again mate.

[ArtMelC]

@MarcRobinson if you do make a twitter account, don't hesitate to block a lot of accounts/ posts / keywords you don't want to see. The Kidlit community is awesome but the political side of Twitter can be too much for me, so I block things and curate my specifically kidlit and books content on my timeline else I go crazy.

Art directors do actively monitor #kidlitartpostcard hashtags where you post a digital postcard every first Thursday of the month

There are often PB Pitch contests too if you have book dummies to pitch editors.

[ArtistErin]

@MarcRobinson Certainly! I'm glad to help

[MarcRobinson]

@ArtMelC yeah I'm definitely going to have to filter loads of the crap on twitter if I'm going to use it. Thank you for the heads up, I'll have to check out some of these ways into getting the attention of the right people!

[ArtistErin]

@MarcRobinson @Jeremiahbrown @kirsten-mcg @NessIllustration Hey check this out... been messing with making a simple animation. This little Christmas card I made is so simple yet so fun!!! I heard somewhere it's not enough to be making static images. It was on a podcast... 3PP? Can't remember. Anyway, that's another way to stand out as you create your brand as an illustrator. Show little GIFs or shorts, I am thinking cute moving stickers... I mean so much fun.

So thought I'd share this idea, as another way to reach/advertise/build rapport. And, since most people are on their phones with such little attention spans moving images tends to grab people more. That's likely why reels are being pushed so hard on IG, and the conversion rate is higher for that reason?

[Jean Watson]

Hi Marc,

I'm just going to echo what everyone else is saying. Your work is superb. I don't think you need to change your style or the subject matter that you are passionate about. People of all ages love to lose themselves in wonderful, rich fantasy worlds and you are one of the rare artists who can create that sort of world very effectively. It's just a matter of getting yourself out there.

In terms of the business side of things, in some ways (even if you get an agent) you need to be your own agent too and find a way to distance yourself emotionally from the work so that you don't feel the rejections too acutely. I've always found that I'm a far better promoter of other people's work than my own - I think it's something many artists need to work on. A lot of the time the people who succeed are the ones who put themselves out there repeatedly and without hesitation or apology. Just have to do it and persist. In your case you've got a solid foundation - the work is great. Portfolio review: good idea but if they are suggesting you change too much, I'd get a second opinion.

It seems like you set yourself very high standards - which is fine but use them to create great work, not to be your own worst critic. All the best with it - can't wait to see what happens next for you.

[MarcRobinson]

@ArtistErin that's really cool. I've never considered making an animated gif of my art, but now you mention it I've seen that sort of thing a few times now. Might be worth a go. I feel with IG I've hit a bit of a wall. With the kids and working on my portfolio I don't seem to have much time to make social media posts very often. Maybe leaning onto video will give more bang for my buck.

[MarcRobinson]

@Jean-Watson thank you. You've hit the nail on the head with the way I feel about my own work. I am very hard on myself, in a way that if I saw someone else being like that to another artist they'd get a smack. It's weird isn't it? We can be so downbeat about our own work and consistently get in our own way. I will endeavour to take your advice and become a more confident advocate for myself. Sometimes I think it'll take just a couple of small wins to boost confidence, then try and build some momentum.

[xin li]

@MarcRobinson
Your work is great. If you are enjoying the process you are making art, do not change it because the agents you be in contact with said so.

Regarding "been told anything about making art in the right style":
When I was looking for an agent in 2020, I was told by one to brighten my color palette (which is common feedback you would get in the kidlit world). I thought about it and looked at my portfolio, and I decided to do nothing because I like my color palette in general.

Regarding "getting work":
My first agent was great at getting me projects, but we did not have the same approaches to the art business. So I departed from them after 9 months. I think it might be healthy to keep in mind that change may require if things do not work out within a year or 18 months. It was very stressful for me to depart from my first agent, but now I am so glad that I did that.

Regarding "smaller agencies" vs. "big agencies":
I could be very biased, but I have not heard from any entry-level artist who is super happy being with a big agency (It could be the happy illustrators just do not write about how happy they are with their agent :-).

If you are intending to mostly work with book illustration and write your own story as well, do your research on literary agencies instead of art agencies. I have a really hard time understanding how it would be possible to make a living for an artist with an art agency. Book commissions are not well paid(compared to other creative industries), especially at the beginning of your career. An art agency typically takes 30-35% commission, and a literary agency is between 15-20%. If your interest is in other types of illustrations too (advertising, etc), then an art agency may make sense.

Good luck with your agent-seeking journey. I remember seeking an agent for the first time was a very stressful thing for me. But when the second time I did it, it was so much easier. I am a happily agented illustrator for almost 2 years now :-).

[MarcRobinson]

@xin-li Thank you I really appreciate your insight. This is all quite new to me so I'd never considered the difference between Art Agencies and Literary ones. I am definitely more drawn to the book illustration side of things rather than anything else. And I also really want to work on my own stories and IP's as well. It seems I have a lot to do in 2023!

[ArtistErin]

@MarcRobinson Giving you a huge high five, virtual hug and a smile! Keep picturing how you want things to go! You've already done the hard work, establishing your groove... Focusing on what is working pays huge dividends, and makes things so much more fun along the way.

[geekinm]

I've been listening to Studio Mate Steve a newish podcast by the illustrator Steven Lenton. He talks to some really big names and there are loads of industry insights and tips. You might find it helpful.