️ Welcome!
Hello, everybody! I'm Teju, and I'm currently a 3rd Year Illustration student in a BFA program. I've watched/followed Will and Jake for years on YT and other social media, and I've been subscribed to SVS since this summer. Since I'm a student right now, I've been super busy and unable to be active on the forums or even take the SVS classes I've been paying for! But it's Christmas break, so I've got some time, and I wanted to introduce myself. (I apologize ahead of time for the long post; I just wanted to show some of my work as well as tell you a bit about it)
Originally when I entered school, I wanted to be a Visual Development artist. But after a lot of inner turmoil and rediscovering watercolors, I've decided to pursue Children's Book Illustration. I'd also like to do Middle Grade, Illustrated Novels for Adults, and Book Covers. I have so much I need to research and learn about the publishing industry! I aspire to one day professionally illustrate my favorite fairy tales and classics, even if they have been done a great number of times by amazing artists. I also wouldn't mind a Caldecott or Hans Christan Anderson Award along the way. . .
I primarily use Watercolors, but I do use Photoshop for certain classes at school, preliminary work, and edits. Critique is welcome!
Traditional Work:
These were little studies I did in my sketchbook a year ago last winter break to help get me more comfortable with watercolor.
(I've got quite a few self-portraits, but don't worry I'm not a narcissist 
My face is just always available!)
Jumping off my sketchbook drawing, an illustration based on the prompt 'Music'
'Ad Without Context' Assignment. I chose Tums as my product.
Children's Book Illustration based on short sentence: Sarah watched her son through the window, as he stood in the garden and bloomed roses with his hands."
Illustration based on the George MacDonald fairy tale, 'The Light Princess'
The Hundred Dresses Book Cover Re-design
Designed as part of an illustrated billboard promoting Barnes & Noble, but I cropped it to suit my portfolio
Children's book illustrations based on the Aesop's fables, 'The Fox and the Crow' and 'The Fox and the Grapes'
Book Cover Re-Design for 'The Thirteenth Tale'. This was my final Illustration assignment this semester. I still have some things to fix from critique, and I want to rework on the type.
Digital Work:
Self-portrait from Summer 2016
Painting based on photo-ref for my computer illustration class last school year
A portrait of my friend, trying a different approach
This is one of a series of posters I designed for my Typography class this semester. (I included type on the final, I can post that if you'd like to see.) It's different and more graphic than things I've done before, but I think it has a good feeling to it. I really want to improve my design skills in addition to my drawing and painting skills. I kow that good design is what really sets the great illustrators from the mediocre and average.
WIP: Painting I started this summer based on something I was going through and didn't have time to work on once the semester started. I'm trying to experiment to find my voice & process digitally. Going to try and finish this during this break
I struggle with finding a cohesive look within the realm of my traditional work, and then the realm of my digital work, and then both together. I feel that there is a discrepancy between my traditional work and digital work. I also feel that my work looks like four different artists. I will be doing Lee's Dream Portfolio assignment now that I have free time (I've watched that lecture twice so far), and look for a direction. (Just noticed how much green is in my work as I post this, and I don't even particularly like green, haha!)
Thanks for reading this super long post! I'm happy to be a part of this community!