To be honest, I've actually never read the book before this contest! I'm now somewhere in a middle and enjoying it greatly

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to share the big news with someone, I'm so excited! Today I found out, I'm published outside of my home country!
https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/sky-pony-press/9781510764309/the-little-monkey-who-wouldnt-sleep/?fbclid=IwAR3GJnOF1fMSX4GQXHUtWFCGeQMLZAbHIj9F3m0AVl8FYb1U00FF5Io5w6k

It might look like that's not that important, where a book gets published, but to me it does make a great difference.
In Czech republic, as well as in other small europe countries, the budget for illustrator is usually very small. So to make a living as an illustrator usually means to work super super fast. Lately I've been working on a new illustration style (the Yeti one), but this style takes a lot of time and I know my publisher in Czechia could never pay that money.
Thus, for this year I decided I will finally get me an agent, break through on the US market and gain the time I need to make some great time... And this is much more easier said than done. The las year was very hard for me and this year looks even harder and somewhat the winter depression got into my head... And I somewhat lost the interest in pursuing my goals.
But. Finding out my publisher sold the rights to one of my books to the US market gave me the kick in the but I needed! I'm so happy about these news and I know it might take some time to get on the radar of publishing houses, but I will try.
Thank you for reading this... I'm sorry it's a bit long and that there's not really a climax in this story. I just needed to get it out.

What are your goals for 2021? I'm super curious to hear what all the other fellow illustrators are working on!
Is there someone with a success story? Is it really hard to get noticed outside of your home country?

And hopefully I'll be able to share my steps towards getting an agent and/or getting published on my own outside of my home country in the future.

This was such a fun! And I did this month prompt on time, yey! Now I just hope I'm still subscribed to SVS courses
Good luck everyone! Looking forward to seeing your work and progress in the upcoming year!!!

Here's my entry. My Yeti doesn't have a house per se, but still has a home. Thanks for the challenge!

I’m looking forward for more Albert related challenges, since there’s so many great Alberts in here!

Hi everyone! This month’s prompt was amazing aaand - I just didnt have enough time... so I don’t have a properly finished character sheet. But I have a character and wanted to share with you anyway. Looking forward for the critique arena to see all of your wonderful paintings!

Hi! Here's my entry.

I did it on time! Yeay!

I've been posting my work on my local Facebook group for illustrators for a long time. But few days ago, I first post an illustration with a comment that I have a project (picture book) ready to be shared with publishers, just a basic announcement... and in an hour or so two publishers (in my country we don't have agents) approached me and asked for the manuscript. That never happened before, when I was only posting illustrations! And I also did not believe people from publishing houses are actually present in those Facebook groups or following my account. But they are. They were just waiting for a project. So - you, guys from SVS, were right. We need to work on projects and be present on social media, so the right people might find our work.

Does anyone of you also have a success story or almost success story (because I have no idea if it actually will be a success story at the end;) to share? Might be great to hear those!!

Sooo... I hope I will finish this one. but we will see.
This prompt gave me an idea of a story about a little kid, raised by a Yetti family. Thus my character design is for both of them - the kid (still not sure about his/her name) and one of the Yettis

@neschof it’s so lovely, I would definitely want to stay! Great job

@RachelArmington yes, exactly! I wanted it to look different and to have a similar feel as the house so they (the car and the house) look like they belong to each other.

@geekinm thanks!
And here it is finished.

Albert the Pig and his new home.

@danielerossi Exactly! And that's why the 3 point perspective podcast is the best podcast ever! You learn something about art, dogs, slides, burgers, everything!

work in progress
I'm really enjoying painting in the light and everything. That's what I love about these monthly challenges - one can work on something totally new and different!

@Jake-Parker @Will-Terry @Lee-White oh no, I was listening and wanted you to continue so bad! I guess every nice moment needs to end eventually... but thank you guys for making illustrator’s live somewhat less lonely.

@Justin-Moss @neschof @RachelArmington thank you all for your comments. I thought I could replace the balloons with a kite, but then again really like their movement, and the fact one of them is getting lost in the city...
Here’s progress with the sketch. Hope I’ll make it on time!

@Justin-Moss Thank you! Maybe if I take ou the balloons?

Sooo.... I was thinking about poor little mischievous Albert trying to fit in with his new family. What if the family too is trying to fit into the new modern world ? And I came up with this sketch. comments are welcomed!