Website launched! Critiques welcome

[kirsten-mcg]

Your site looks great now @ArtistErin ! I think the changes you made really help, IT looks clean and professional and is easy to navigate. And you're not the only one to buy a domain name that isn't exactly right. I added "art" to my domain name after my name, and now it’s so long I'm kicking myself and wishing I had just used my name. But The address is really a Little thing I think. Most people just click on the link without thinking about it much!

[Charlotte Glaze]

Looks great, now! Good job!

[Chantal Goetheer]

@ArtistErin I only saw your new and improved site, but it looks great. Clean, simple and the works get all the attention they deserve. Great job!!

[ArtistErin]

@kirsten-mcg Thank you Kirsten! This means alot to me! I can tell, in fact, I know this is the stuff I was afraid of doing: making mistakes, looking like a fool or unprofessional which tends to sprout thoughts of imposter syndrome and perfectionism, which has stopped me in the past from getting out there. Risking looking amateurish, huge fear. But I tell myself now just do it anyway and I can change my mind, course correct, and don't worry so much.

My brother is a great photographer, and is helping me with my photos! Looking forward to this part. I feel good photography is important for branding...

Upward and Onward

[ArtistErin]

@Charlotte-Glaze Thank you Charlotte!!!

[ArtistErin]

@Chantal-Goetheer Thank you Chantal!!! Yeah it's been a learning curve! I can say with every ounce of myself it is so satisfying to do the thing I have been afraid of. Tackling fear head on seems to be my theme this year.

Talking to potential art directors, agents, employers... that's next

[Chantal Goetheer]

@ArtistErin You go girl!!

[ArtistErin]

@Chantal-Goetheer Thanks!!!! I'm working a full schedule along with squeezing in an hour or two before I have to go in to work. Not easy but worth it...
Slow and steady wins the race

[Chantal Goetheer]

@ArtistErin indeed, keep going. It's so tough sometimes. Didn't manage much since the new year, flooded with overtime and trying to make a career switch into elementary school on the side. Im cheering you on. Good for you that you are managing to find time on the side!

[ArtistErin]

@Chantal-Goetheer Thank you Chantal!!

[Sarah VanDam]

@kirsten-mcg Oh, that’s really good info to have!

[Sarah VanDam]

@ArtistErin Hi Erin, this is looking great, and it seems like a lot of people have given excellent website design feedback already! I did have some thoughts on the presentation of your portfolio, though, if you’re interested in that type of input. I highlighted and commented on a few things:

I hope this is somewhat helpful to you on your path to becoming an epic illustrator! Let me know if I went too far with this. Also, is that an actual lino cut in that rose/bottle illustration?? That’s such a cool effect.

[ArtistErin]

@Sarah-VanDam THANK YOU Sarah!!! Thank you for taking the time with breaking this down for me in such detail. I totally agree with you BTW about all your points. It's interesting, I created the Velveteen images most recently, and the others are more or less some of my better works yet in the realm of middle of the road on my skillset journey, from Folktale week, and so you confirmed my thoughts exactly. So just thanking you again for this!

So now, I am putting together some stuff to replace the pieces you mentioned, the tortoise image might get cut altogether as it is compositionally boring and no sense in trying to fix it at this point.

The lino cut technique I used in the Potion image was a filter I used in Photoshop that I loved and although it was neat to apply, it feels somewhat busy and distracting, inconsistent with the linework in the other pieces.

The character sheet definitely is needing to be changed up. I'll re-design her in different poses to show more believable gestures and sequences. Again, this is one of my earliest attempts at creating the same character in different positions.

I'll post the spread I am currently working on, hoping to make progress with different situations showing emotion and relatable situations. I am considering buying a critique from SVS, when that becomes available! Obviously I want to fast track this process so I'm not spinning my wheels, and you definitely helped me in feeling so much more focused. Can't thank you enough.

[ArtistErin]

@willicreate Thank you!!! Replied to @Sarah-VanDam about moving forward with improving the pieces, and considering buying the critique offer coming up through SVS, coming I think Mar. 1? Listening to the Patreon podcast, crossing my fingers I can swing it. I've been spending so much $ but honestly I feel that based on what I'm hearing, it's worth its weight in gold.

[willicreate]

@ArtistErin Website version 2.0 is looking good. I would recommend having your first image of your portfolio be a one that is attention grabbing, wakes up the senses. Think of it functioning as a book cover; made to catch the customer's eye. I think one of the later four images would work: Rumpelstiltskin, the girl catching stars, piece with a bridge, or woman in profile.

Remember to update the year at the bottom of the web page to 2023.

[ArtistErin]

@willicreate Thank you so much!!! As a complete novice as far as the technical aspect of creating a website, I understand the gist of what you are saying, however I'm not sure how to do that. Is there an example of a site you can show me so I can figure out how this is done? Thank you thank you thank you And thank you for the heads up about changing the year...

I spent the whole day yesterday online with the SCBWI virtual conference and it was sooooo enlightening, yet on the other side of that, the anxiety of my website needing more work was enough to keep me up all night! OMG... and so the last hour was an interactive panel with some big names leading the workshops, the experience was so worth the money because they chose me to be a part of their teaching and discussion. A live critique! And then got a few follows on IG, and people looking at my site, so crossing fingers I can keep the momentum going without slipping into total anxiety mode.

Another question: Do you think a blog would be too much? I often feel I want to have a "conversation" and engage with those who are checking out my work. I have heard a mailing list and a newsletter are better. Just wanting some feedback here. After listening to the 3PP episode with Kelly Sonnack (sp?) I realized how important it is to level up in the marketing skills. A zillion thoughts buzzing through my mind, thank you for letting me ramble!!!!

Here is the piece that was critiqued by Aram Kim of Macmillan Press... I am adapting some of the things she mentioned regarding this incredible sandcastle, mainly to add an adult helping build this monument, as it seemed unrealistic that young kids could build something like this. I chose to make him a teenager, their big brother, and they are sort of gloating and laughing at the puny castle the main character is building.

She also said I should add more vibrant color, like a true beach scene. I have had more success from the limited palette approach. I don't want to add too many things that might make it feel overwhelming and busy. Any thoughts?