A first entry..I'm sure I'll do better next month!

I've been a member for a little while without a post of my own. So I guess today is the day I share. The talent in here is amazing and quite intimidating.

I've been a glass artist [my own glass beads for jewelry] for years but did do watercolors for several years before the glass. Earlier last year, I fell into illustrating [2 so far] childrens books for a brand new publishing company and just enjoyed it so much, the glass is put away for now. One of the books will be out next month and I'm in the midst of working on the other at the moment.
This is a watercolor I did of my grandson scanned into photoshop and worked on very minimally [this is not from either book or even the same style] and although Im not really looking for critiques, Im always wanting to learn and improve so if you feel so inclined, I won't be offended. I know there are many flaws..but it is, at the moment, a personal best.
Im just learning digital art..a brand new language for me and I'm so so so excited to have stumbled upon SVS, a WEALTH of information that I'm trying my best to drink up and apply to my work. I can't seem to sketch right in photoshop..its easier for me to start with a scan. I played with some brushes to see if I could improve upon my little boy..and I think I did. I do love this new to me medium and see where if I can improve upon this now with my extremely limited digital skills, it might get pretty exciting in the future!

Thanks so much for looking and any words of wisdom/advice you might have. I love the vibe at SVS..I feel like I can do this little show and tell without too much anxiety!

I deleted a previous image.. I rushed the submission. I puttered some more which resulted in a better [to my eye]image. Lesson learned. Put it away and look with fresh eyes in the morning before submitting it as 'finished'

Cropped the image and worked some more with the value. Much better and that's it.. Finished, not perfect.

@Gary-Wilkinson ..so well done as always. Sad commentary, but so well done. @rcartwright that just made me laugh..just great.

Ive been working on an illustration which will be given to a writer to come up with a story for it. I can't wait to read it. Illustration and accompanying story will then hang in the library in Albuquerque along with several others for the month of September. The theme is 'Lost and Found' ..I entitled this 'Isla's Pearls'
Dragons are everywhere, I suppose I was influenced.

It's really nice to have confirmation in life that we're doing the right thing or at least headed in the right direction. I enjoyed the podcast.

I think the greatest advantage an older person has is that wonderful gift of time. With less required of us..I'm speaking from a mothers perspective.. more of our time can be devoted to our own pursuits. That's my story.. there are times I do feel I've missed out in many ways, but I try to remember that my only limitations are the ones I put on myself. It may be that I will never be a superstar in the world of illustration [!] but I don't ever feel that the reason for that might be my age! We're very lucky in that, this industry, as Will Terry mentioned, doesn't require muscle so much as it does vivid use of imagination and hard work. You can develop those traits well into your senior years. How fun is that. Thanks for another informative, entertaining podcast guys..you work great together.

She's a remarkable little artist! I think those skills for 3 are quite advanced..the lips on the Mom figure I think it is? that's pretty observant for one so young, and all of those amazing little flying floating creatures are just delightful. You're right..the freedom expressed by such an uninhibited young mind is very inspirational. Great reminder this morning..thanks for posting this.

This book about a bear named Gracie was both fun and torturous to do since I was just learning to draw digitally, so not a really bright move, but I just sort of took the bull by the horns. I cringe now at some of the illustrations.
I've just recently completed another since then that will be out in a few months and I am much prouder of that one. Learning as I go! I plan on working my way more studiously through this new curriculum set up here, so surely the next will be even better.
at Amazon ->> https://tinyurl.com/v47nzhz

Thanks so much for the welcome @Nyrryl-Cadiz and @Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen

Marsha, they asked for a realistic cartoon style without background! This is one of the illustrations..book will be out shortly. I can't wait to see it all pulled together.

I love movement too..it catches my eye as I scroll. I think you have to be careful though..not too fast and not too many images. Although Im not sure we're talking about the same process..that link took me to a slideshow...unless I missed something?
I was a glass artist for several years..[glass beads and jewelry] and once made a gif image of my hands making a glass bead in the flame. It was extremely crude animation and because of that I kind of loved it. I thought it was more interesting than just a video. Anyway, all of this learning and testing out is fun, isn't it.
Link to the pinned image from my website:

Thanks @Andy-Gray and @carriecopa
I was trying to link to just the gif but I'll just link to my website:

http://www.deborahjlambson.com/

@NessIllustration I will work on those things. Thank you! @NessIllustration

So much amazing talent here..wow. I'm looking forward to the voting!

I think you were right the first time @TessaW ..I removed that one and put the whole image in so as not to upset the grid energy. I'm looking for a better portfolio site now..this is Adobe and I'm not loving it. Honestly Im not super happy with some of that artwork in there, so they'll just be 'placeholders' til I can replace with better work.

@TessaW and @Nyrryl-Cadiz That's great..thank you for the feedback. I have been bothered by those site issues but have put it on a back burner. I'll work on the site.
I think I thought that was an arty pic of the pool boy, but will change that and work on more children images. Thanks for the fresh eyes you guys..appreciate it!

Hello fellow artists

I'm setting goals this month and one of them is to submit my portfolio where I can to find representation.
Can I have you take a look and give me some feedback please? Where is it lacking or weak.. all critiquing is very very welcome.

https://deborahlambson.com/folio

No surprise to me that art became your saving grace, but the great part is that you've used it that way successfully. Its a really inspiring story. I enjoy your art style, I see lots of Grimm fairy tale influence. Welcome to the forum!

Nicely done..images are so endearing. I love your vivid palette!

I really like #5 as well but feel like its been done in that manner so many times..I vote for #3 for that reason. Its unique and adventurous and looks great as far as composition goes. Love them all.

This book about a bear named Gracie was both fun and torturous to do since I was just learning to draw digitally, so not a really bright move, but I just sort of took the bull by the horns. I cringe now at some of the illustrations.
I've just recently completed another since then that will be out in a few months and I am much prouder of that one. Learning as I go! I plan on working my way more studiously through this new curriculum set up here, so surely the next will be even better.
at Amazon ->> https://tinyurl.com/v47nzhz

So very sorry to hear such sad news.. My deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones at this very trying time.