Hello!

[marinasanc]

Hello, my name is Marina and I'm from Brazil.
I've been drawing for a long time and wanted to be a professional illustrator since I was 15 (I'm 31 now), but I've only managed to get some freelance work here and there, without building a client base.

I had never considered seriously trying to make artwork for children's books and magazines, I used to focus on games and fantasy art. After overcoming an artistic burnout last year, I started using sketchbooks as a place for play instead of putting pressure on myself.

I noticed the style I developed was a good match for children's content and planned and developed new pieces for my portfolio, focused on that market.

Here is my portfolio: https://www.marinasanches.com/kid-lit

I would really appreciate some feedback on my portfolio. I have been working on my own without much reaction from people for a while and sometimes I feel like I'm uncertain how my work is received or where I should improve. I did notice a tendency to avoiding darker values which I'm trying to fix in my next pieces.

I have started reaching out to publishers and magazines recently, something I haven't really done before. I didn't have any confidence in my work. Sharing on social media, behance and reddit was pretty much all I did, and since I didn't manage to build a following I guess I assumed my work was bad. I'm currently far more confident to approach potential clients, although I'm struggling a bit to find contact information. I'm also considering trying to get an agent.

I hope to get to know some other illustrators here going through the same process of trying to "make it"!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@marinasanc hi Marina! Welcome to SVS. It’s awesome to hear that you’re getting started in the illustration industry.

You have a sweet style. I think this will fit great in the middle grade market. You have great pieces while a few that are not so up to par. They’re not bad just not at the same quality as the others. Are you open to removing some pieces from your portfolio?

[marinasanc]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz hi Nyrril, thanks!
Thank you for checking out my work. I feel like I didn't dedicate as many hours as I would like for many of those pieces, so maybe that is why some of the art looks weaker.
I am open to making changes in my portfolio, I have just started working on it so I imagine it will change a lot as I get some feedback and plan new pieces.
Could you let me know which ones you thought were not strong?
I appreciate the feedback!