Hi Everyone! Here's my submission this month. I wanted to do something completely different than I've ever seen for an OZ cover. Coincidentally, I've been working on my own version of this story for about a year now, so this was super fun to work on for me! Hope you enjoy!

Hi Everyone!

Thanks to those who helped me with my thumbnail. Here is my submission for the challenge this month!

(Also, does anyone know why my images are blurry on this main page, but crisp and clear when you click on it? I've noticed that most people's are perfect, but mine are always blurry until you click. Anyone else have this problem?)

Re: UPDATED with Value Study! My #draw50things Project. Feedback requested.

Hi Everyone! I'm finally back working on my #draw50things assignment and would love your feedback again.

I've taken into account @marek-halko's paint over and everyone else's advice and have a new version to show you below. This is just the background without the main jellyfish character and without the color tint that I will eventually add.

I've finished all of the detail work and would love to hear what you think. I'm still open to any thoughts changes you might have.

Thanks and can't wait to hear what you think!

(Click onto the image if you want to zoom in to see everything! I think I'm around 80 objects or so.)

Hi Everyone! Here's my October submission!

Hello! Here's my submission this month.

I liked the idea of the fairies being a little impish and ornery, so I went with that angle. I hope you enjoy!

Hi Everyone! Here's my entry for this month. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice in my WIP thread!

I thought a fun idea would be for a dragonfly to be learning how to fly with cloud "floaties." However, because clouds are a bit finicky, his mom spends a lot of time coming to the rescue!

Hi Everyone!

Here is my submission for "Isolation." I'm a new member of SVS and this is my first contest entry. I hope you enjoy!

Josh Dages

https://www.instagram.com/joshuadagesartwork/
http://www.joshaudages.com/

Hi Everyone!

Here's my June Contest entry. I chose to go with the opening scene where Bongo is just waking up!

Hey all! Thanks for you input above! Below is my updated version. This is the "add final objects" step (step 11) in @Will-Terry's course. I've got around 85 objects (not counting things bolted down).

This is NOT a final version by any means. This is just the draft that has all of the objects in it. I will add value, consistent line work, and extra detail on the next pass.

Some help I'm looking for now:

• how is the flow of the image? (realizing that it's hard to tell without value)

• do you see any major issues or is it confusing at all?

• are the objects too detailed or just right?

• do you like the cropping I chose (orange border), or should it be different?

Any and all suggestions are welcome. I will be adding more sand, bubbles, shells, etc., in the next version as well.

Thanks!

Hi Everyone!

Here it is! My #draw50things illustration is complete! After months of work (probably should get a little faster, haha) I'm ready to put it in my portfolio.

Thanks to everyone's help and comments with this (@LauraA @Will-Terry @Kiel-Ewing @ruth @marek-halko @Jeremy-Ross @txels @Jacy13 @Jabbernewt @Ruth-Tripp @Heather-Boyd @chrisaakins) and anyone else I've missed!

Let me know what you think!
-Josh

(Click into it for non-blurry version. Still not sure why it does that for me.)

@Neha-Rawat Congrats! I love their look, and it's so exciting to hear of successes like these. Well earned!

@NessIllustration Thanks so much!

@NessIllustration Thanks so much for this video! I can't wait to see the rest of them.

I started an Etsy shop in May 2020, and have had some success (specifically with two products), but am always looking for new tips and tricks.

I've also downloaded your 101 Etsy Products Guide and am looking forward to getting inspired!

Thanks again,
Josh

@Jeremy-Ross @dafoota So happy to hear that there are other old-noobs on here. I'm approaching 41yo and just decided to "pursue" art/illustration/design in 2018, even though it's been my passion since I was a kid (I'm a slow realizer).

Congrats Jeremy on taking the plunge with the portfolio and social media. It has been a complete learning experience for me but I feel like I'm getting the hang of everything now.

The tips/conclusions I've come to for my portfolio (mainly derived from the help of people on this forum!) are:

• post the pieces you love because you want to get hired to do that, not something else,
• keep it to a style or two (these can morph over time),
• just go for it! I always wait too long to post things to my portfolio or social media, hoping that I can keep working on them until they're "just right" but have found getting things out there (no matter what level they're at) is so much more satisfying than sitting there worrying if people will like it. I wasted a lot of time on the latter, and wish I hadn't.

Anyway, hope that helps. I look forward to see your site and social media in the near future!

-Josh

This is great! Really nice job on the perspective and the colors. I agree that this year has taken a bite out of my drive to be creative, but I'm also working through it and am glad that you are too! Thank you for sharing.

P.s. My cat will be perfectly content in another room, but as soon as I sit down to work, he's jumping up on my desk.

@djlambson Thank you! I really liked the project idea and is one of the reasons I signed up for SVS in the first place.

I usually don't do super detailed pieces like this either, but I took it one section at a time, and was really proud how it turned out. You totally should continue with the class and I'd love to see what your looks like!

Thanks again!

@Heather-Boyd Thank you so much! I went back-and-forth with the "blue only" look, but like the way it turned out as well!

@Jeremy-Ross Thank you!

@Jacy13 Thank you so much! It's been super fun and I'm glad to have it done. I still see little things I want to change, but at some point you just have to say "it's good!"

Hi Everyone!

Here it is! My #draw50things illustration is complete! After months of work (probably should get a little faster, haha) I'm ready to put it in my portfolio.

Thanks to everyone's help and comments with this (@LauraA @Will-Terry @Kiel-Ewing @ruth @marek-halko @Jeremy-Ross @txels @Jacy13 @Jabbernewt @Ruth-Tripp @Heather-Boyd @chrisaakins) and anyone else I've missed!

Let me know what you think!
-Josh

(Click into it for non-blurry version. Still not sure why it does that for me.)