Thank you for getting this together and extending the deadline! Here’s my contribution to the project in appreciation for Will.

Up high... down low... around the back... TOO SLOW!!!

I took a long break from drawing and participating in the forums after being discouraged about my art but now I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing flash cards sooner but while trying to teach my daughter the alphabet it just seemed like the obvious project to rejuvenate my drive to become an illustrator. I think I’ll change the font before I finalize them but this one is my favorite so far.

It's just one illustration but I feel like I leveled up this month working on this and from it came an idea for a picture book that I hope to expound on about this young frog discovering books and being transported into adventures with his dad. I plan on sinking myself into the illustrating and writing classes to make that project happen. I'm so thankful for the courses here at SVS and the kind people who took time to offer advice as I worked.

Where’s the line to challenge Godzilla?

Somehow brainstorming for the July prompt “ Summer Vacation Gone Wrong” produced the character idea of a disco rooster on the beach and I couldn’t leave it alone. Here’s the quick sketch.

I'm amazed every month at all the unique ideas everyone brings to the table for these challenges. Hopefully we're all growing! I've recently been wanting to research the chapter book market. So with that on my mind I had this idea of taking one of my characters from a previous challenge and fitting him to this format.

I’m still working on flash cards for my kids.

The struggle was real this month (artistically speaking).

We're Going On A Bear Hunt authored by Michael Rosen

I’m finally close to finishing my alphabet flash card project! Only two left to take from sketch to finals (I worked them out of order) Thankfully my daughter likes seeing the images.

Xylophone party anyone?

I vote for the "whatever" plan and speakers Dan Santat and Tom Lichtenheld, please! Thanks! This is an awesome idea!

I’m still working on flash cards for my kids.

@Juli Hi! I think you made the suggested changes quite nicely and it definitely helped the piece come along. The only thing I would suggest at this point is to spend a little more time on the finishing touches of highlights on everything around the fire. Obviously you don't want to go overboard but a campfire in the dark can still light up things as close as the characters and the stakes are a little more than you have them. That might add a little more value diversity, too.

This piece surprised me. I really like the concept and echo the concerns @xin-li mentioned. The underwater section is quite nice and I could see the expected feeling of danger and suspense that the "moon fish" is setting the trap or the twist that the supposed danger fish is actually nice and lighting up the world around it for the fellow fish to enjoy. Then there's the girl jumping into the water discovering this neat underwater scene. My initial thought, though, is what exactly is the story? It feels like there are two different stories with the two different worlds. The girl has a surprised look on her face but is that a big enough payoff for what we see? If the discovery is the emphasis I think you could rework it sometime and find a really nice composition that would drive that particular story home and have the kind of payoff that would make the discovery seem otherworldly.

For now, assuming a lack of time for reworking the whole image, my suggestion would be to simply crop down to just the cool underwater scene you already have. I love how you have all the starfish glowing like the popular toys to create a cozy feeling with the warm glow of the moonlight drawing all these nice pleasant fish right into the danger. That crop allows you to focus in on one particular story and editing the splash wave out will allow for the minimum amount of editing. The nice thing about digital work is that you can duplicate the file and experiment with the copy and the previous version isn't damaged at all if you like still like it best or need it to fall back on. Hopefully, whatever finishing touches you do, you'll come away with an image you are happy with!

Thanks for keeping this going every month! I haven’t been a regular participant in the forums or the contest in a long time but posting here keeps me motivated to keep working and (when I find time) participate more. This little guy is the latest of my flash card project.

I took a long break from drawing and participating in the forums after being discouraged about my art but now I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing flash cards sooner but while trying to teach my daughter the alphabet it just seemed like the obvious project to rejuvenate my drive to become an illustrator. I think I’ll change the font before I finalize them but this one is my favorite so far.

I love the idea and even Lee's twist but I don't think I'll have much opportunity to try it. I hope it helps you guys out that get to stay with it.

The struggle was real this month (artistically speaking).