Creating a Great Concept For Your Illustration

[Annemieke]

@Jake-Parker I really liked this episode and I’m chuffed you discussed my entry (mine was the girl on the toilet). While I was a bit disappointed not to be picked for the original critiques, I now understand why. Obviously I didn't know my public, I had no idea that this illustration might be a bit offending... I made sure yet skirt covered everything quite decently . It's funny how cultural difference pay a role in what is acceptable or even funny in an illustration.

I would like to make a suggestion about the competitions though, you guys mentioned I could have improved on this concept by showing the girl being in a restaurant, running of to the toilet in a panic. I think that is really cool, but as a beginner I have no idea how to pull this off... The winners of the competitions are always well deserved, great illustrations. But for a beginner such as myself it can be a bit daunting to try to live up to these great pieces of art. It would be nice if there was some sort of 'encouragement price' or recognition for beginners...

Anyway, I'm really happy that you picked my painting to discuss in this episode! Thanks!

[Coley]

@Annemieke you mentioned cultural differences and I think you're right, I'm a north american and I can see how the toilet thing was brought up. But I follow a Norwegian illustrator who throws in little bits of nudity or things we would consider inappropriate but she's a very successful children's illustrator (Lisa Aisato) WOW she's amazing!

[MissMushy]

@TessaW thanks. I do struggle with translating my somewhat odd sense of humour sometimes, so is nice to hear that you liked it

[holleywilliamson]

Thanks for a great episode! Mine was the burning boat and I was happy to get some feedback to hear what you guys are thinking. In coming up with the idea I thought it was slightly ridiculous since the boat was on fire and they are surrounded by water, but we did see a burnt boat while on vacation this year so I know it happens. It is always great to hear your discussions!

[Kayla Groening]

I like @Lee-White 's advice on calling the preliminary concept sketches "thinkings" instead of drawings. To add to that, I always disliked putting "thinkings" into a sketchbook because I can have up to 5 (sometimes more) pages worth of thumbnails and sketches for one concept. Often the sketches are ugly because I'm just focused on throwing the ideas onto paper. I ended up doing less sketchbook work in general because of this.

Now I use a folder-style clipboard stocked with copy paper for my "thinkings" and it works great for me. It's inexpensive, reloadable, portable and I don't have to worry about having a nice drawing. Plus, I like that the pages are super easy to scan (no binding to interfere) and that I don't have to store loads of sketchbooks with work that I mostly dislike.

If there are sketches that I do like, I cut and glue (or tape) them into my journal and call it a day.

All in all, a great episode. I tend to have a million and one ideas for an illustration and then at the end of the day, play it safe (probably too safe) because I doubt my ability to get my far-out-there ideas out onto the page. It's good to know that it's better to go more wild to begin with and be wrangled back in than to play it safe and end up with a boring illustration.

[APHOTICMOTH]

Great episode. It makes me want to kick myself in the butt for all these years of rushing through the idea phase.

I did it with the Vacation gone wrong piece as well. I drew the bears, with the the family on top of the trailer. I admit it was the first idea that came to mind, and I didn't push the idea any further. I didn't thumbnail, just went straight from one rough sketch to a finished drawing. Drew the bears first, and the family was the after thought, when it was supposed to be about them. It was ok, but could have been much more interesting..

.Thanks for another great podcast!

[Julia]

@Annemieke Hello Annemieke, I really liked your picture and... same! as an European, I would not have thought it could be offensive in other cultures! I found the drawing funny and... true!

[Annemieke]

@Julia Thank you Julia, that means a lot to me!

[Lee White]

@Annemieke people in the US are WAY more uptight about stuff than other cultures. It bugs me that we are so conservative here in the states.

[TwiggyT]

@Kayla-Groening I loved that part, too! I see these sketchbook flip-throughs on social media and I wonder where their real sketchbook is. The sketchbook with all the ideas and mistakes and half-drawings and scribbles. That's what I always felt like sketchbooks were for, personally, but I think I'm in the minority.

I like how you cut your good drawings out and add them to your journal. That's a really good idea.

[Susan Marks]

@Annemieke I really enjoyed this episode-and the thoughts and different points of view that it brings up. I appreciate that the tilt of this school is toward children's illustrations, but in addition it's just darn good school. I'm not personally interested in becoming an illustrator for children's books-and might suggest that occasionally the month's prompt be considered in a broader context.

That said--the discussion on this question is classic SVS--totally respectful. I've learned a lot about how topics fly differently in different cultures.