The featured student for February is Erin McClean! The Q&A with Erin(@ERIBERART) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Erin:

"From writing and illustrating handmade books as a kid, to building full dummy books and creating a portfolio of sweetly stylized characters and their adventures, illustrator Erin McClean has never put aside her goal of creating enjoyable children’s literature. Here are a few of her insights into becoming, and being, a visual storyteller."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

There is still time to submit your work! Post your art to this forum post by March 31st for a chance to be featured for April!

The featured student for August is Lisa Burvant! The Q&A with Lisa (@burvantill) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Lisa:

"This month's featured artist fuels the fire within herself and other members of the SVSLearn community with a tenacious dedication to her craft. If you've been perusing the SVSLearn forums lately, you may know her! Here's a chance to learn from, and about, children's illustrator Lisa Burvant."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

Want to be featured on the homepage? Submit your art to this post by August 10th for a chance to be featured for September!

The featured student for May was Shawn Turek! The Q&A with Shawn(@DRAWNBYSHAWN) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Shawn:

"There are some artists on the SVSLearn forum who consistently post incredible work in a style all their own. If you’re familiar with the forum or the SVSLearn monthly illustration contests, you may instantly recognize the work of one of these illustrators, Shawn Turek. Enjoy the chance to get to know him and his stories, insights and advice in the following Q&A."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

The featured student post for July is looking pretty empty right now. Head over to the post and share your work for a chance to be featured for July! Submissions are due by June 30th.

The featured student for January is Carlianne Tipsey! The Q&A with Carlianne (@CARLIANNE) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Carlianne:

"Some people talk longingly about making art their profession. Others create on the side. Yet there are a few who take the plunge into earning their living from their art without looking back, including Neha Rawat Battish. In this interview, she tells a bit about that process and also shares some of the gems of knowledge that she’s picked up along the way."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

Want to be featured on the homepage? Submit your art to this post by January 31st for a chance to be featured for February!

May's Featured Student:
The featured student for May is Eric Castleman! The Q&A with Eric is up on the SVS Learn blog.

Instructions:
This post is a place to share work if you want to get a chance to be featured in the Student Art Gallery on the SVSLearn.com homepage for June. To be considered share 1-2 of your best pieces (you can re-share an image you posted last month, but this is also a great opportunity to push yourself and add a new piece to your portfolio) on this forum post. Make sure to share your image during the first 10 days of May to be considered for June. Also, make sure your images are at least 800 pixels on the shortest side and do not exceed 1mb in size.
Work will be selected based off of how well the work uses the following:

Concept: how well does your illustration convey a clear concept/story. Is it a unique approach? Does it make me want to know more about what is happening in the illustration?

Technique: How is the composition working? Does it have good use of lighting, rendering, mark making, etc.? Does the technique compliment the concept?

If you are selected, we will message you using the chat feature on the forum. Besides your art being displayed on the homepage, you will also be sent some questions for a Q&A blog post that will be shared on the SVS Learn blog.

We have had some amazing work submitted the last two months and I can't wait to see what you share this month!
Austin

The featured student for February is Neha Rawat Battish! The Q&A with Neha Rawat (@NEHA RAWAT) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Neha Rawat:

"When it comes to paving a career in illustration, there is no straight path to follow. SVS Learn student, Carlianne Tipsey, is a great inspiration when it comes to someone who made the decision to pursue art as a child and who traveled on a unique journey to make that dream come true."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

Want to be featured on the homepage? Submit your art to this post by March 2nd for a chance to be featured for March!

Note: Katy luckily reminded me that I completely forgot to share the featured student from April here on the forum. Thanks Katy!

The featured student for April was Elia Murray! The Q&A with Elia(@ELIAMURRAYART) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Elia:

"From day to day, it may be hard to remember the deepest reasons behind why we create art. What really propels us to put pencil to paper? Who, or what, drives our passion for visual storytelling? Here is a chance to jump into the mind of artist, Elia Murray, as she gives us her perspective on what moves her - from influential parents, to a commitment to joy and laughter, to some of the most heartfelt sources of inspiration."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

There is still time to submit your work for our special MerMay edition of the featured student Q&A! Post your new Mermaid inspired art to this forum post by June 1st for a chance to be featured for June!

We have decided to do something a little different for October's featured student. To help celebrate Inktober we are going to be featuring a group of 5 students that participate in the challenge! Anyone that participates in Inktober this year is invited to post some of the ink drawings they do to this post before October 25 (UPDATE) October 29th. We will then reach out to those that are selected with a short Inktober themed Q&A that will be posted in November.

Instructions:
This post is a place to share work if you want to get a chance to be featured in the Student Art Gallery on the SVSLearn.com homepage for November. To be considered share 1-2 of your best Inktober pieces (they need to be from 2019) on this forum post. Make sure to share your image by the 25th of October to be considered. Also, make sure your images are at least 800 pixels on the shortest side and do not exceed 1mb in size.
Work will be selected based off of how well the work uses the following:

Concept: How well does your illustration convey a clear concept/story. Is it a unique approach? Does it make me want to know more about what is happening in the illustration?

Technique: How is the composition working? Does it have good use of lighting, rendering, mark making, etc.? Does the technique compliment the concept?

Ink: Was it created using ink (either digitally or traditionally)?

If you are selected, we will be emailing you using the email indicated on your forum account. Besides your art being displayed on the homepage, you will also be sent a few questions for a Q&A blog post that will be shared on the SVSLearn blog.

I can't wait to see what everyone posts this year!
Austin

We are excited to announce the new featured student gallery!

Starting this month we are now going to begin featuring the work of our students, and alumni on the homepage. The new gallery is already up. Go check it out!

We'll be featuring new work in our student gallery every week, and posting Q&As with our featured students and alumni a couple times a month. To help us find new work to feature every month we are asking anyone who is interested to share some of their best work (1-2 images) on a monthly Forum post (the post will be titled Featured Students for April this month). Make sure to share your image during the first 10 days of the month to be considered for the following month. Also, make sure your images are at least 800 pixels on the shortest side and do not exceed 1mb in size.

Work will be selected based off of how well the work uses the following:

Concept: how well does your illustration convey a clear concept. Is it a unique approach? Does it make me want to know more about what is happening in the illustration?

Technique: How is the composition working? Does it have good use of lighting, rendering, mark making, etc.? Does the technique compliment the concept?

If you are interested in being featured for next month then go post your illustration on the "Featured Student For April" forum post (its under the Artwork category).

I’m excited to see your work!

Thanks!
Austin

The featured student for June is Sarah LuAnn Perkins! The Q&A with Sarah LuAnn (@SARAH LUANN) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Sarah LuAnn:

"Being an artist may be a romantic vision for many creatives, but anyone who has tried it also knows that it takes sweat and dedication. Artist Sarah LuAnn Perkins is a fantastic example of someone giving it her all, and in this interview she shares how she's striving diligently at this phase in her life. Have you ever wondered, "How will I ever finish this project that's still living in my head?" or, "When will I be good enough to take the next step?" If so, Sarah's insights may strike a chord with you."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

Want to be featured on the homepage? Submit your art to this post for a chance to be featured for August!

Heres another chance to get your work featured on the SVSLearn homepage! We have been having so many great submissions that it is really hard to just pick one. If you have posted in the past and not been selected PLEASE consider posting again if you were not chosen for a previous month (even if it is the same image as before). If you have any thoughts or suggestions about this opportunity please feel free to share them as a comment or to send me a message!

Instructions:
This post is a place to share work if you want to get a chance to be featured in the Student Art Gallery on the SVSLearn.com homepage for September. To be considered, share 1-2 of your best pieces (you can re-share an image you posted previously, but this is also a great opportunity to push yourself and add a new piece to your portfolio) on this forum post. Make sure to share your image by the last day of August to be considered. Also, make sure your images are at least 800 pixels on the shortest side and do not exceed 1mb in size. If your illustration includes text on it please post a copy with and without the text on it.
Work will be selected based off of how well the work uses the following:

Concept: how well does your illustration convey a clear concept/story. Is it a unique approach? Does it make me want to know more about what is happening in the illustration?

Technique: How is the composition working? Does it have good use of lighting, rendering, mark making, etc.? Does the technique compliment the concept?

If you are selected, we will be emailing you using the email indicated on your forum account. Besides your art being displayed on the homepage, you will also be sent some questions for a Q&A blog post that will be shared on the SVSLearn blog.

Good luck!
Austin

The featured student for July was Elena Marengoni! The Q&A with Elena (@ELENA MARENGONI) is up on the blog. Below is an introduction to the Q&A that Kathryn Adebayo (@KATHRYNADEBAYO) conducted with Elena:

"It can be such an inspiration and learning opportunity to jump into another artist’s world, and Elena’s stories and artwork are a particularly enjoyable world to explore. In this Q&A she shares how she came to illustration, why she’s sticking with it, and her goals moving forward."

Read the whole Q&A on the blog.

Thank you to everyone that participates each month!

@Katie-Kordesh I really love the line quality in your images and the colors! Thank you for being the first to post this time!

Thank you again for all of the amazing work that you keep sharing. PLEASE consider posting again if you were not chosen for a previous month (even if it is the same image as before). If you have any thoughts or suggestions about this opportunity please feel free to share them as a comment or to send me a message!

Instructions:
This post is a place to share work if you want to get a chance to be featured in the Student Art Gallery on the SVSLearn.com homepage for August. To be considered, share 1-2 of your best pieces (you can re-share an image you posted previously, but this is also a great opportunity to push yourself and add a new piece to your portfolio) on this forum post. Make sure to share your image by the last day of July to be considered. Also, make sure your images are at least 800 pixels on the shortest side and do not exceed 1mb in size. If your illustration includes text on it please post a copy with and without the text on it.
Work will be selected based off of how well the work uses the following:

Concept: how well does your illustration convey a clear concept/story. Is it a unique approach? Does it make me want to know more about what is happening in the illustration?

Technique: How is the composition working? Does it have good use of lighting, rendering, mark making, etc.? Does the technique compliment the concept?

If you are selected, we will be emailing you using the email indicated on your forum account. Besides your art being displayed on the homepage, you will also be sent some questions for a Q&A blog post that will be shared on the SVSLearn blog.

Staying safe!
Austin

@ArtofAleksey we are in the northern part near New Mexico. Its pretty far from any of the big cities in the State.

@Dima-Eichhorn thank you!!!!

@ArtofAleksey its been pretty good. The people here are really nice, but I miss the mountains and green in Utah where we just lived. Luckily we are only planning to be here for two more years until I finish my PhD program.

Thank you @carolinebautista, @theprairiefox, and @carlianne for the great feedback!

Thank you to everyone that submitted! Here is a link to the slideshow with everyones pieces (we had a few who submitted via email and not directly to this thread).

@chrisaakins I have to agree with @KathrynAdebayo, this is a really great piece!