Hello there! I’m a newbie on this platform. I’m currently repped by Advocate, after being with Bright for 5 or so years. I’ve had one project since being repped by Advocate since end of March, and I’m wondering what my next step is. Whether to stay or try to get repped by a smaller more niche Agency. Any feedback on my art would be great - I’m feeling like I need to go in a new direction but unsure of what to do next. 🥸
https://www.advocate-art.com/carol-herring
@CarolHerring-0 Your work looks really great to me! The only thing I can think of is maybe adding examples of sequential illustration would be a cool.? Really nice work.
@Kevin-Longueil Thanks Kevin - I appreciate that. Yes I think that’s probably a good next step!
@CarolHerring-0
Love your colourful, lively illustrations! Especially those cute retro faces. The thing that jumps out at me is something I do too: everything's equally saturated, which makes it look a bit flat and a little too busy. That is not the feedback you asked for(!) but I have no experience with agencies etc so can't help you there.
What sort of new direction are you thinking of? And what's making you consider it?
@CarolHerring-0 sounds like a good point in your career to get the portfolio power review by one of the pros? I haven't done it yet but the people who have seemed to gain so much from them.
@CarolHerring-0 I've heard both illustrators and agents say that having 20 portfolio pieces is the sweet spot, so maybe if 10 of them are older or less relevant to what kind of work you want to do, it might be time to remove them. And Will Terry has mentioned more than once that making projects for your portfolio is also great. Like if you have your own story idea or redesign a public domain story, that can give you an opportunity to show stuff like character consistency through sequential art, or variety in compositions like spots and vignettes than just full pages. I think your stuff looks great!
@Robyn-Hepburn thanks for your feedback Robyn! I’ll definitely take that into consideration. I’m wanting to break out of mostly doing board books, and get into more activity books and picture books.
@ArtMelC thanks Mel - it would be great to do that!
@kayleenartlover thanks you - great advice!
@CarolHerring-0 oh and also if you just need a peer support/accountability/ critique group, I run a really small discord group that meet on zoom on Fridays 11.30am Sydney time for an hour or so every week (it will be afternoon in NZ?)
Seeing each other's faces really helps to keep the motivation up and I've got many constructive feedback and encouragement from everyone. Let me know if you want to give this a try!
@ArtMelC that sounds great Mel - I’d love to give it a try! My email is carol@happydraws.com
@CarolHerring-0 Sorry, I can't help you with your representation question but I agree with the great advice already given about your portfolio. My initial impression is that you have very nice illustrations! Lots of talent. But, it's a bit overwhelming. I think I counted 57 pieces? I would cull your work to the best 20-25 in the genre that you're striving to work in (activity books and picture books). I'm not sure of the formatting of Advocate's website but once you narrow your work down can you enlarge the images on the site a bit? I know clicking on them enlarges them, but on my laptop they are showing as thumbnails so they're losing some of the initial impact. Since you're interested in picture books, I agree with having some sequential pieces. Also, look at your perspectives/points of view for more interesting compositions. I would include some bird's eye, worm's eye, Dutch camera angle view points to make things more interesting. I recently did the Portfolio Power Critique and it was one of the best things I've done to improve my art! I have a much more clear direction on what I need to do next (I'm definitely working on my perspectives/view points and adding some sequential pieces).
