@DanetteDraws Although you are correct Danette (to a certain extent), I don't think it's an all or nothing situation. Even though the traditional style of painting makes up the lion share of children's books today, vector is still used quite a bit. If you look at the 0-3 age group section of any major book store, you'll find that vector represents about 30% of the books (I actually counted). Children of that age like high contrast and little detail. It's not until you pass the age of 3 that the market switches to 95% traditional and 5% vector (roughly). This is strictly my observation from the Chapters and Barnes and Noble stores that I've been in. Even Disney publishes a few vector based books every year. Usually the ones with stickers or pop outs.

I think what it boils down to is the quality of the story and the art. I doubt any publisher would take a mediocre story with mediocre traditional art over a great story with great vector art. Just as long as the art style fit the story and the age category. There are quite a few great vector artists out there today that do strictly children's publications. Diego Diaz is just one that comes to mind.

This was my first real attempt at digitally painting an original piece. I'm a 3D Artist by trade and I have to admit that I've become accustomed to the crutch of 3D software, putting all of the value into a piece with just a few clicks of the mouse. It's much harder when you have to do it yourself. My hat is off to all of you illustrators who do it so well.

Any feedback on this piece would be greatly appreciated. I have a long way to go and could use all the help I can get.

Thanks guys.

Craig

My work space is just in a tiny corner of my bedroom. So it's a perfect location for when I want to take an afternoon nap ... or two.

Beautiful piece Jeszika.

I normally do 3D work, but I've had a few clients asking for 2D Vector work lately. So I decided that it was time to get my butt into Illustrator, so that I can get the hang of it. Illustrator definitely takes some getting use to, but it's great for line art ... especially if you have a shaky hand using a Wacom tablet like I do.

I'm really starting to like this whole vector thing in Illustrator. I think it's just a matter of getting use to what you can and can't do, in comparison to Photoshop. I think I'm going to stick with this for a little bit. I might even tackle a Children's Book in this style. I know it's kind of commercial looking, but until I get a little more comfortable with working in 2D, I think this might be a good way for me to keep myself motivated.

@Leontine-Gaasenbeek Thanks Leontine. Let's just say you wouldn't want to eat in the Rat's Galley. I wish I had a Cintiq, but for now the Wacom will have to do. I'm glad to hear that there are publishers out there that want the vector format.

@Lee-Holland Great work!

@johntatulliart Thanks John.

@DanetteDraws Although you are correct Danette (to a certain extent), I don't think it's an all or nothing situation. Even though the traditional style of painting makes up the lion share of children's books today, vector is still used quite a bit. If you look at the 0-3 age group section of any major book store, you'll find that vector represents about 30% of the books (I actually counted). Children of that age like high contrast and little detail. It's not until you pass the age of 3 that the market switches to 95% traditional and 5% vector (roughly). This is strictly my observation from the Chapters and Barnes and Noble stores that I've been in. Even Disney publishes a few vector based books every year. Usually the ones with stickers or pop outs.

I think what it boils down to is the quality of the story and the art. I doubt any publisher would take a mediocre story with mediocre traditional art over a great story with great vector art. Just as long as the art style fit the story and the age category. There are quite a few great vector artists out there today that do strictly children's publications. Diego Diaz is just one that comes to mind.

@Leontine-Gaasenbeek I love the big eyes and the color palette. Beautiful piece. I can definitely see Loish's influence in this one. I can't wait until her Kickstarter book is finished. It's going to be amazing.

@Sarah-LuAnn Thanks Sarah. I noticed in your work that you, like myself, use a lot of line art (inked line). Do you do that in Photoshop? Don't you find that inking is much cleaner and more forgiving in Illustrator?

@Leontine-Gaasenbeek Thanks Leontine. Let's just say you wouldn't want to eat in the Rat's Galley. I wish I had a Cintiq, but for now the Wacom will have to do. I'm glad to hear that there are publishers out there that want the vector format.

@Steve-Young Thanks Steve. I had a friend of mine suggest Manga Studio as well. I'll have to check it out. I get my Adobe Suite through the college I work at, so I only pay $9.95/year for a CC subscription to the Creative Suite. Price isn't really an issue.

I'm really starting to like this whole vector thing in Illustrator. I think it's just a matter of getting use to what you can and can't do, in comparison to Photoshop. I think I'm going to stick with this for a little bit. I might even tackle a Children's Book in this style. I know it's kind of commercial looking, but until I get a little more comfortable with working in 2D, I think this might be a good way for me to keep myself motivated.

@Steve-Young Never mind, it's working. It must have been a glitch, or the fact that I was using Firefox.

@Kathryn-Klingensmith That's awesome. I'm getting hooked on Illustrator myself. I never cared for the program, but it's growing on me.