Hi all! This is my very first submission to an SVS contest. I've been following quietly for months, and finally decided to throw my hat in the ring. Happy New Year to all of you!

Hi SVS!

I'm Gustavo (or Gus, if you prefer), originally from Venezuela but now an adopted Canadian living in the fair city of Montreal.

Though an engineer by training, I always loved drawing and making my own comics from an early age, until well into my university years. As my career took off, I illustrated less and less during my free time, till I decided to reclaim this joyous activity 5 years ago, and see how far I could take it.

So now, I work as a product specialist in a software development company by day, and in the evenings I trade my laptop for my drawing board in order to keep honing my skills, when I'm not spending time with my wife.

I joined SVS a couple of years ago because I wanted to formally learn the fundamentals of illustration with a strong leaning into storytelling, and have since then enjoyed learning from the insightful lessons contained in this site. My interest and goal is to eventually become a Fantasy and Sci-Fi illustrator, and maybe even produce my own graphic novel one day.

I'm excited and grateful to join this community and look forward to be of help, and possibly encouragement, to others!

My December contest piece, and a submission I made for an online publication.

@Adolfito-Martinez Hola! Thanks for dropping by. Hope you're staying warm!

@Heather-Boyd Thank you, that's very kind I like the colour palette of your pieces on Instagram, especially those depicting nature. Lovely work!

Hi @Chip-Valecek, I like the one without the text, but either way it's a very nice piece!

Hi @Neha-Rawat, I love the concept and the mood that you are conveying with these. Here's my 2 cents worth:

For Part 1, I think the second option (dog in background) leads the eye better across the illustration, from the face of the kid all the way to the dog, making us wonder what exactly is going on outside (suspense). Also, the fact that we see the face of the kid in close up helps to convey emotion more effectively, which I feel is a weakness in the first option (dog in foreground with back towards the viewer). Finally, I think deciding who is the protagonist in this story may also help you decide where to focus the camera on this first shot.

For Part 2, I feel it is already pretty strong. I would perhaps increase the space between the dog and the child a little bit, just to help lead the eye across the entire illustration.

Lastly, I think Part 3 is just perfect.

All the best with your portfolio, it's looking great!

@Braden-Hallett Thanks for your words and for the follow in Instagram. I really like your work! I've only heard good things of the West Coast, and hope to be able to visit it one day

@demotlj Thanks! I love Asterix, and yes, Montreal is full of amazing indy stores full of European graphic novels. A real treat!

@NessIllustration Thank you for your kind words! Your account is full of beautiful work!

@aska Thank you! I hope you make it one day, and get to travel around different parts the country...it's incredibly beautiful!

@Braden-Hallett this made me chuckle! Very nice concept and execution!

@BichonBistro Thank you for your kind feedback!

My December contest piece, and a submission I made for an online publication.

@Adolfito-Martinez Hola! Thanks for dropping by. Hope you're staying warm!

@Heather-Boyd Thank you, that's very kind I like the colour palette of your pieces on Instagram, especially those depicting nature. Lovely work!

@Braden-Hallett Thanks for your words and for the follow in Instagram. I really like your work! I've only heard good things of the West Coast, and hope to be able to visit it one day

@demotlj Thanks! I love Asterix, and yes, Montreal is full of amazing indy stores full of European graphic novels. A real treat!

@NessIllustration Thank you for your kind words! Your account is full of beautiful work!

@aska Thank you! I hope you make it one day, and get to travel around different parts the country...it's incredibly beautiful!

Hi SVS!

I'm Gustavo (or Gus, if you prefer), originally from Venezuela but now an adopted Canadian living in the fair city of Montreal.

Though an engineer by training, I always loved drawing and making my own comics from an early age, until well into my university years. As my career took off, I illustrated less and less during my free time, till I decided to reclaim this joyous activity 5 years ago, and see how far I could take it.

So now, I work as a product specialist in a software development company by day, and in the evenings I trade my laptop for my drawing board in order to keep honing my skills, when I'm not spending time with my wife.

I joined SVS a couple of years ago because I wanted to formally learn the fundamentals of illustration with a strong leaning into storytelling, and have since then enjoyed learning from the insightful lessons contained in this site. My interest and goal is to eventually become a Fantasy and Sci-Fi illustrator, and maybe even produce my own graphic novel one day.

I'm excited and grateful to join this community and look forward to be of help, and possibly encouragement, to others!

Hi @Neha-Rawat, I love the concept and the mood that you are conveying with these. Here's my 2 cents worth:

For Part 1, I think the second option (dog in background) leads the eye better across the illustration, from the face of the kid all the way to the dog, making us wonder what exactly is going on outside (suspense). Also, the fact that we see the face of the kid in close up helps to convey emotion more effectively, which I feel is a weakness in the first option (dog in foreground with back towards the viewer). Finally, I think deciding who is the protagonist in this story may also help you decide where to focus the camera on this first shot.

For Part 2, I feel it is already pretty strong. I would perhaps increase the space between the dog and the child a little bit, just to help lead the eye across the entire illustration.

Lastly, I think Part 3 is just perfect.

All the best with your portfolio, it's looking great!

@Braden-Hallett this made me chuckle! Very nice concept and execution!

Hi @Chip-Valecek, I like the one without the text, but either way it's a very nice piece!

Hi all! This is my very first submission to an SVS contest. I've been following quietly for months, and finally decided to throw my hat in the ring. Happy New Year to all of you!