I like the version with the linework! The no-linework version would work better if you cleaned up and sharpen some of the edges. In response to your composition question, it does seem a bit too close-up due to similarities in scale. I think you could really push back those background elements and scale them down while keeping a few foreground elements bigger. You can also try playing around with some atmospheric perspective where foreground start out dark and gets lighter as it fades into the background. Like this photo for example

Maybe not quite as dark as these two but they're good examples..

Nice work though! I like how you chose to use grey lines instead of black, gives a nice contrast without being too distracting.

I work full time at a media studio but my job isn't always "artistically satisfying". I think a lot of artists can relate to this, but I need the creative outlet I get from personal and freelance projects (fun ones). Its tough to work 8 hours a day and come home to do more work, but if you let yourself relax and enjoy the process it's worth it..and in the long run you kind of get used to it. Get some snacks, turn on some music, put on your PJs loI
I usually get home at around 6, eat dinner, and get to work until midnight. If you don't have kids or other activities you have to commit to, it's do-able especially if you get off work in the afternoon. Just make sure you pick projects that you'll actually enjoy doing! Which is one nice thing about having a stable job because you can have the option to choose only projects you want to do.

A trick to keeping characters consistent is to really break down the character into simple shapes first (just circles and cylinders and squares) then practice drawing these shapes in different angles and perspective. I highly recommend drawing a turn-around for your character before you begin any project, it'll save you a looot of headache in the long run

Here are some examples of a turn-around. Notice how the artist utilize lines in the background to make sure everything is in place. Would recommend drawing a front face pose first and then drawing lines across the background to mark where essential features are, then continue with other poses.

Not sure if you already know this and im misunderstanding, but you can combine your JPEGS into a PDF. I'm guessing all they want is one big PDF with all your pages inside, which you can do by using adobe acrobat. Or if you open your JPEG files and "save as PDF" in photoshop (but that would make one PDF per page.) Just make sure your files are 300DPI and big enough for printing

@bharris $15 an hour is quite low, unless its a project you would absolutely LOVE doing (maybe..). $25- $30 an hour is about the minimum even for beginners (someone feel free to argue though) and for all the rights they want you can definitely ask for more (copyright fee can be one big separate fee and you can still charge hourly for the illustration itself). So technically you can tell them "if you would like to purchase _____ rights, that would be $____. If they can't afford your full rights you could negotiate with partial rights etc.

Would you say this company is on the big side? If they're on the big side I wouldn't work for $15 an hour including complete rights. Hope that helps!

Also this book is an absolute MUST HAVE for any freelance artist. It has pretty much everything you need to know as a freelancer, price charts (I wouldn't base my pricing off it, but it gives you a rough idea), contracts, agreement, type of work, etc. http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Artists-Handbook-Pricing-Guidelines/dp/0932102166

Really love the color palette of your first finished piece!! The texture/linework going on with the animals looks really great! One thing that can be improved is the design of your main character, I feel like her chin is a bit big and you could really simplify the shape her face for a stronger design. Maybe just let her face round down to the neck or keep a small pointy chin?

Felt like it would be easier to just show you what I'm talking about so I did a quick paint over of the examples. Hope you don't mind me butchering your lovely work! But obviously if its part of your style and you love it the way it is then go with what you like

Also I added more volume to her hair where the bird is so the bird feels like its sitting in her hair. Cant wait to see your next finished piece!

I think Leontine's suggestion makes the entire piece look more realistic and dramatic but at the same time I like the soft airiness in your version...its kind of got this dreamy quality to it (especially how you handled the bookshelf) that goes well with the story. If I had one super nit-picky suggestion, I would say the folds and draping of the cape could be improved and watch out for the folded corners on those paper...maybe look up some reference images. (when I was in school my instructor pointed out the way I drew the corners of my paper and told me to look up references haha) but otherwise your lighting looks amazing and I love the story!

Also I knew you were Japanese when I saw the helmet lol ....made me feel nostalgic about my childhood watching oldies Japanese cartoons .

Love it!! Do you draw with a cintiq or a just a wacom tablet? Can't wait to see it in color!

I pictured an art nouveau style poster from your sketch!

Since its a dancing event, I think you could add more gesture into the people's poses. Right now its a little hard to tell its swing dancing because their poses are a bit stiff. Maybe try poses that show off more of that swing energy (example, one of her arms may be up in the air, head thrown back a bit, or her legs swing up, etc.) I would google some swing dancing pictures as reference for your poses. .
If you dont want to change the people then maybe use more curvy wild vines to give the piece some movement. Good luck!

Not sure if you already know this and im misunderstanding, but you can combine your JPEGS into a PDF. I'm guessing all they want is one big PDF with all your pages inside, which you can do by using adobe acrobat. Or if you open your JPEG files and "save as PDF" in photoshop (but that would make one PDF per page.) Just make sure your files are 300DPI and big enough for printing

@smceccarelli haha I just checked out the video to see why Will hates the book. I can definitely see where he's coming from, but besides the who price chart thing, there's a lot of other useful info for freelancers and I would still recommend at least taking a look at it to see if it's your cup of tea. Personally, its helped me a lot

@bharris $15 an hour is quite low, unless its a project you would absolutely LOVE doing (maybe..). $25- $30 an hour is about the minimum even for beginners (someone feel free to argue though) and for all the rights they want you can definitely ask for more (copyright fee can be one big separate fee and you can still charge hourly for the illustration itself). So technically you can tell them "if you would like to purchase _____ rights, that would be $____. If they can't afford your full rights you could negotiate with partial rights etc.

Would you say this company is on the big side? If they're on the big side I wouldn't work for $15 an hour including complete rights. Hope that helps!

Also this book is an absolute MUST HAVE for any freelance artist. It has pretty much everything you need to know as a freelancer, price charts (I wouldn't base my pricing off it, but it gives you a rough idea), contracts, agreement, type of work, etc. http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Artists-Handbook-Pricing-Guidelines/dp/0932102166

A trick to keeping characters consistent is to really break down the character into simple shapes first (just circles and cylinders and squares) then practice drawing these shapes in different angles and perspective. I highly recommend drawing a turn-around for your character before you begin any project, it'll save you a looot of headache in the long run

Here are some examples of a turn-around. Notice how the artist utilize lines in the background to make sure everything is in place. Would recommend drawing a front face pose first and then drawing lines across the background to mark where essential features are, then continue with other poses.

Nice!! I saw some of your publication works and im in love with the snowman and bird piece, was wondering how you achieve that grainy almost color-pencil look (unless thats a trade secret haha)? Im guessing its a combination of a special brush and a texture overlay but it looks so consistent and natural which is difficult to achieve.

I like the version with the linework! The no-linework version would work better if you cleaned up and sharpen some of the edges. In response to your composition question, it does seem a bit too close-up due to similarities in scale. I think you could really push back those background elements and scale them down while keeping a few foreground elements bigger. You can also try playing around with some atmospheric perspective where foreground start out dark and gets lighter as it fades into the background. Like this photo for example

Maybe not quite as dark as these two but they're good examples..

Nice work though! I like how you chose to use grey lines instead of black, gives a nice contrast without being too distracting.

Congrats!
Wow those are some amazing pieces, really impressed with the quality they're able to accumulate. Favorite has got to be the Bill Goats Gruff one.

Really love the color palette of your first finished piece!! The texture/linework going on with the animals looks really great! One thing that can be improved is the design of your main character, I feel like her chin is a bit big and you could really simplify the shape her face for a stronger design. Maybe just let her face round down to the neck or keep a small pointy chin?

Felt like it would be easier to just show you what I'm talking about so I did a quick paint over of the examples. Hope you don't mind me butchering your lovely work! But obviously if its part of your style and you love it the way it is then go with what you like

Also I added more volume to her hair where the bird is so the bird feels like its sitting in her hair. Cant wait to see your next finished piece!

I think Leontine's suggestion makes the entire piece look more realistic and dramatic but at the same time I like the soft airiness in your version...its kind of got this dreamy quality to it (especially how you handled the bookshelf) that goes well with the story. If I had one super nit-picky suggestion, I would say the folds and draping of the cape could be improved and watch out for the folded corners on those paper...maybe look up some reference images. (when I was in school my instructor pointed out the way I drew the corners of my paper and told me to look up references haha) but otherwise your lighting looks amazing and I love the story!

Also I knew you were Japanese when I saw the helmet lol ....made me feel nostalgic about my childhood watching oldies Japanese cartoons .