What is my portfolio lacking?

eriberart

Hi guys,
I'm going to London Book Fair in a couple weeks and I'm in a mad rush to fill any gaps in my portfolio. Along with 2 dummy books I will be bringing my printed portfolio (which is basically all the images on my website with some additional sketchbook work).
Are there any glaring gaps to you? What do you think I need to work on? Are there any pieces which you think are a lot weaker than the others? Here's my link https://www.erinmcclean.com/
I really appreciate any feedback. I realise I won't be able to churn out a whole lot in 2 weeks, but I am a quick worker so if there are a couple things in particular that I should tackle I will attempt it!

smceccarelli

It looks great! I don't see anything lacking. Your style is a super good fit for British publishers, you should show it to as many as you can - and I'm pretty sure they will show interest.
I've never been to the London Book Fair. If it's similar to the Bologna and Frankfurt ones, you'll have a hard time showing your dummies unless you have appointments set up beforehand. The spontaneous slots are very short and generally only look at your portfolio.

lenwen

I love your works! They are remarkable, soft, and organic. I can imagine them in a picture book already, I think you're ready to go! good luck!!

eriberart

@smceccarelli Thank you! I've been to Bologna twice, but not London. I think it is similar but on a much smaller scale than Bologna. I've a couple appointments set up already, but this was all booked very spontaneously yesterday after the news of Bologna being postponed! Hopefully I can arrange a couple more appointments.

@lenwen Aw thank you so much

Nyrryl Cadiz

@eriberart i think you’re good to go.

eriberart

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Thank you

TessaW

Wow! Impressive portfolio! I think it looks good as is, but if you were to add anything, maybe:

A family, with some adults thrown into the mix- a dad or grandpa or something. You have some adult women, but I didn't catch a prominently featured male adult character.
A piece with just anthropomorphic animals- wearing clothes, maybe in their house, etc.

Just a couple of ideas if you want to throw in more variety.

idid

@eriberart you portfolio looks good! the only thing it is lacking, from my perspective, is more animals. You've got a few cute pets and monsters, which is great, but sometime publishers have animals as their main characters.

jwing

I love your style! Very consistent, visually enjoyable, and balanced

eriberart

@TessaW @idid Thank you! I definitely always choose to draw children over animals as I enjoy drawing them better But I really should add some animal characters!

@jwing Thank you

xin li

Beautiful portfolio. Have a great one at the London Book Fair.

eriberart

@xin-li Thank you

LauraA

@eriberart said in What is my portfolio lacking?:

https://www.erinmcclean.com/

I'm a bit behind, but just wanted to say that I love your soft style! It rings very "childhood" to me. Sorry Bologna didn't work out and I hope London brings you success!

Rachel Horne

I'd say it's looking pretty perfect if you ask me! Beautiful job

eriberart

@LauraA @Rachel-Horne Thank you I wasn't feeling very confident and felt my portfolio was't ready, but this thread has encouraged me!

Heather Boyd

Looks very nicely done -only possible additions would be a winter scene ("temperature specific") and other outside locations (you've got a forest in a few, underwater was cool, on the steps, and in leaves) -so perhaps a vacation (tropical or desert, or tundra) -to get that winter scene in. Also a work with a stronger boy character (if that wasn't already mentioned) -boys are part of your other works but not as a main character -for variety and approach a situation from his perspective.

ajillustrates

@eriberart Your work is so solid. My only notes (which echo what has been said by others) would be to include adult men, anthropomorphic animals, and another exterior setting. I'd suggest a city street scene because you could combine that with some male characters and a vehicle or two, plus I'd love to see what that would look like in your stye (like what would period London look like in your version of Peter Pan).

eriberart

@Heather-Boyd Thank you! I definitely need to try and include more environments A winter scene sounds really fun
@ajillustrates Thanks I'll try and include some more males in my portfolio!