Best posts made by mag

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!

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'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

Sooo... after drawing like a ton of different houses and cabins, I realised, my Yeti would probably never lived in a house from bricks and stones. He’s a forest creature, from our fluffy and cute bohemian woods, so I’ve came up with all new sketch and designed his home under open sky.
Do you guys have any thoughts/critiques? I’m not entirely sure if It’s according to the rules of this month prompt cause this is not an actual “house” but it is his home ... so maybe it’s ok?

Hi everyone,
I had this page in my book (personal project), where the scene should happen in the attic. Before watching draw 50 things, the attic was... well - nearly empty (such a shame!) So I decided to take it to another level. Before moving on a more detailed sketch, a lot of the items are now just a lumpy place holders, I wanted to check with you guys the general composition and value. What do you think? Is there something bothering you? Thank you!

I'm working on a layout for one of my own picture book, trying to participate in mermay (but I've actually never ever draw a mermaid before, so it's freaking me out!), and working on sketches for a book with cute short rhymes for children - I'm very excited about this one, it looks I might get a few nice portfolio pieces out of this.

OK - so I've made a second sketch layer with 58 objects - no place holders this time.
But I'm having trouble with the main character's posture. I want it to translate like she's leaving the attic. But I'm not sure if she looks that way... Any advice?
Thank you!!!!

Sooo.... finally I'm posting my finished #draw50thigs drawing! It was actually finished about half a year ago, but since then life has been super busy and I totally forgot to make an update here... But here it is! It was a great challenge and I'm really glad I give it a try. It definitely helped me with my illustrations. Now I'm not afraid to put much more stuff into a picture, because I know it is worth the effort. So thank you @Will-Terry for coming up with this whole thing!

Thank you all for your kind support. I’m sharing some of the progress pictures. It was a great challenge and every one did a great job!

I’ve been busy working on illustrations for a book about fairies, it’s fun, but it takes a lot time so there’s almost none left for my own projects. Need to find some balance there. And do a better planning next time I take on a job.

Hi there
Even though I was reading the discussions on the forum for quite a long time, I never had the guts to share with you my work before I finish it. But finally I got the courage and here’s my take on Feb 3rd Thursday.
The illustration is in progress - I roughly have the colors laid down and now I am working on the younger sister.
I thought of love and remembered my sister - how we were always fighting, but whenever one of us got in troubles, the other one was always there, helping (and laughing...).
Any suggestions or thought will be appreciated!
And a bunch of THANK-YOU! to Will and Lee and Jake for doing such a huge amount of work!

Halfway through...

Hi! The work I feel the strongest about probably would be these pictures I've done for a picture book of mine, the name of the book is "Hair" and it's about a little girl with long, but seriously long hair and all the misfortunes she encounters because of it.
I was able to write the story thanks to the writing picture books class and the storytelling class, which are amazing BTW.
Both these illustrations are double spreads.

Thank you all for your nice comments.
And here's the progress of the cover - well, it's maybe already finished, but I want to take some time off and come back to it with a fresh eyes.
Any comments and thought are welcome!
Nice week to all of you!

I think I’m pretty much done here... but before I post it officially, I’ll sleep on it... do you see something that could be better/changed?
Thanks everyone and good luck with this month prompt!