Hi yall, my name is Geneva. I've been lurking the forums for a month or two, but just now doing formal introduction. I came across Will Terry's YT channel which eventually led to SVS, which has been pure gold! Took an interest in kidlit a couple years ago, then somehow got hired by one large publisher and just failed spectacularly. Since then I've been apprehensive to delve in again, and honestly I didn't have very good freelancing etiquette and was scared to fail. Somehow I struck another project with another publisher last year and fell in love with childrens art again. This publisher/art director has had the patience of a saint as I still had no idea what I was doing, and was pretty much learning on the job! Learning from SVS seriously couldn't have come at a better time. It's been humbling just to read others' experiences and discussions in these forums, so thank you all!
Right now I am trying to beef up the kids part of my portfolio (haven't actually drawn a lot of kids before, ha). Also hoping to self publish a small picture book later this year.
So, nice to meet you and thank you for having me!

(Some samples, if that is okay to show? actual portfolio is at www.gdbee.art)

Hi Will, thanks for giving us this opportunity
If I may, here's something to throw in the ring. I was proud of it last month but now it feels too empty in some parts and too full in others and everything feels too sharp? I'm not sure how to balance things out

I like "how inquisitive" the bot feels. Good luck on your book!

@dottyp Definitely will, thank you very much

I feel that websites are important. If anything, it makes your name more searchable, and you can take how you want your artwork presented into your own hands. It's sort of like your own "home" while other social media and art sites are like rented spaces. There's plenty of free options, and Squarespace is simple and incredibly easy.
Amazing caricatures by the way!

Whoa, the composition is beautiful! Without reading the story below the sketch, the art works quite well! One nit pick would be the diagonal line at the bottom left behind the girl. Is this line representing extra furniture in the foreground? If so it might be a little too close to the other furniture.
After reading the text (also very beautiful!) it feels like the window is more important, and thus it might be beneficial to have a larger window to show more activity going on outside? Or shift the camera over to the left to show more of the room she is in and a little less of the wall on the right?
Either way, gorgeous work!

@nyrryl-cadiz It certainly doesn't feel like it at times, especially stacked up with other's skills around here! Thank you kindly. Hopefully will be able to contribute here with everyone else c:

I also prefer the second one. My only nit picky critique would be: raise the dragons head upward and pointed a little more towards the knight to look more intimidating. But it can also work how it is now

I wouldn't think so? Buzz Lightyear carries and shoots a sci-fi gun without any issues, like you mention. It's probably fine as long as it doesn't resemble a real ak-47 or some such c:

@smceccarelli Without giving out any specific details, I'll try to describe. Thanks for asking!
I was contacted to illustrate a childrens book by a large publisher. It was super exciting and great timing as I just went freelance in 2016. The career I had before freelance was design-based and I was used to "design by committee" approaches and multiple passes needed, so thought it would be no problem. The art director was incredibly nice and accommodating, but eventually the design by committee was kind of wearing me down, especially with waiting on a reply for weeks and changes to the look of the main character and such almost a year into the project (did not know that it's kind of normal in book publishing). They just weren't liking anything I was putting out and eventually I wasn't liking it either, and that showed. They suggested I just scrap and redo the entire book art from scratch which sounded like a good idea, but there was a major eye surgery coming up and it wouldn't be wise to do it with that going on at the same time, so I asked to be taken off the project. Looking back, it was very embarrassing and I genuinely hope I wasn't a major headache to work with!
Another publisher contacted me a little before and after the surgery was complete, so I used all the knowledge and pitfalls from before to work better with them. Communication and getting feedback was much easier and quicker this time as well. I would say communication from both sides can really make or break a project!

Hello SVS!

I had a short story in mind and decided to try self publishing it/using Kickstarter. It started out as a personal book dummy project, but got a couple of requests to take it further, and now felt like a better time than ever to try out self publishing before officially looking for/signing up with an agency.

Backstory aside, would it be okay to ask for feedback on this KS campaign so far? It launches next week. I'm going in kind of blind and if there's anything that needs improvement (whether its the campaign or art itself) I'm all ears! My one ask is perhaps no critique on the characters' looks? I know twin puff hairstyles are played out and the gator doesn't have "true" alligator anatomy, but I kind of selfishly like how they are now, ha.

Alternatively, if anyone else is thinking about self pub through Kickstarter route, I'll be happy to experiment and answer questions anyone might have (whether setting up the campaign, during or after, etc)!
Thank you guys!

I use Smartpress, which is a printer that almost specifically works with creatives, and their colors are always spot on. Two caveats are they're best for bulk (10+ books minimum) and don't do hardcover. That might not be what you're looking for, but definitely recommended if you need more than one!

Whoa, the composition is beautiful! Without reading the story below the sketch, the art works quite well! One nit pick would be the diagonal line at the bottom left behind the girl. Is this line representing extra furniture in the foreground? If so it might be a little too close to the other furniture.
After reading the text (also very beautiful!) it feels like the window is more important, and thus it might be beneficial to have a larger window to show more activity going on outside? Or shift the camera over to the left to show more of the room she is in and a little less of the wall on the right?
Either way, gorgeous work!

This looks pretty cool! I like how blank the snow is against the textures. One small thing would be the word "Happens" seems to get lost. I agree with the others that it might be because of the textures around it or the color itself? Otherwise, it's lit!

I second this idea and excited that one is being made!

This looks incredible so far! Really loving the houses in the back too. I would agree with @rcartwright about brightening the background colors as well

Welcome and nice to have you! I like the light and airy color schemes going on in your portfolio!

How about your local library or local cafes? There always seems to be a call for new art at these places. The library especially might appreciate a donation c:

@rhirsch Thank you kindly!

@smceccarelli Without giving out any specific details, I'll try to describe. Thanks for asking!
I was contacted to illustrate a childrens book by a large publisher. It was super exciting and great timing as I just went freelance in 2016. The career I had before freelance was design-based and I was used to "design by committee" approaches and multiple passes needed, so thought it would be no problem. The art director was incredibly nice and accommodating, but eventually the design by committee was kind of wearing me down, especially with waiting on a reply for weeks and changes to the look of the main character and such almost a year into the project (did not know that it's kind of normal in book publishing). They just weren't liking anything I was putting out and eventually I wasn't liking it either, and that showed. They suggested I just scrap and redo the entire book art from scratch which sounded like a good idea, but there was a major eye surgery coming up and it wouldn't be wise to do it with that going on at the same time, so I asked to be taken off the project. Looking back, it was very embarrassing and I genuinely hope I wasn't a major headache to work with!
Another publisher contacted me a little before and after the surgery was complete, so I used all the knowledge and pitfalls from before to work better with them. Communication and getting feedback was much easier and quicker this time as well. I would say communication from both sides can really make or break a project!