Hello! This is my first time posting and entering the contest. I'm also a new SVS member so I'm definitely learning a lot as an illustrator! For the prompt, I went for a two page spread. Was going for the little boy, Will, following the tracks to a bigger reveal. (big foot face planted) I loved the challenge being about illustrating something that's hard to draw. It took me a minute to figure it out.
@carriecopadraws Thank you so much for the feedback on my site! I totally agree with you! Also I love the idea of having each week be dedicated to a piece in my portfolio. That's a nice way of organizing and tackling all of the work I have to do! Thank you so much 
Hi there!
I'm adding to the forum another WIP post of the February Contest of Nightfall. This is what I'm coming up with so far. What do you guys think so far? The colors? Perspective? Can there be more narrative? Just curious what else I can do to make it have more interest! Thank you!
@Lisa-Pickard I should have included welcome feedback from non illustrators too! I agree! I'm looking at my work right now and I can see what you're seeing with the eyes! I'm not sure what it is that's making them look jarring.. I know it has something to do my rendering though! Thank you for the feedback!
@Braden-Hallett Yes! I was using this image for the sky to make it seem like it's nightfall aka dusk, and I also wanted to include a lake to reflect the sky so I was planning on adding a small boat in the back or a dock or something!
@Braden-Hallett Oh and I wanted to have the lightning bugs be the main source of lighting! Should I have another light source?
@NessIllustration Thank you so much! I'll have to create a list! I applied to quite a few. I actually applied a while ago to Astound Us and didn't hear back. Beehive Illustration Agency, Lemonade Illustration Agency, Allied Artists, Plum Pudding, the CAT Agency, KidShannon, Kids Corner Illustration, Jelly London, Painted Words, Milan Illustration Agencies, Eye Candy Illustration, Spinning Yarn Rep.. Should I create some new work to add to my portfolio and then reapply in the future?
@Nyrryl-Cadiz That's so interesting and strange! I didn't think there were trends in children's illustration but that makes sense. And the fact that different countries have style preferences. I have applied to UK agencies! Beehive Illustration Agency was one of them, and they were the ones that told me they had a few artists that had already had my style. I've applied to various agencies with them having different styles of artists. I think the harsher rejections were the ones that didn't have any illustrator's with a similar style to mine lol... Understandable! Lesson learned! I think at that point I was getting frustrated. Thank you for the advice! I'll pay attention to that when I make the rounds of applying again in the future!
@Katie-Kordesh I'm so glad I'm not the only one feeling this way and going through this! Thanks for commenting! I really appreciate it! I don't think your work is bad at all! I love your style and your work definitely stands out since the style is different from others that I've seen. I do think your style fits in children's illustration maybe try doing more backgrounds and environments for your characters? Also thanks for the feedback on my style! I agree, I realize the rendering on the eyes make them feel separate from the rest of the characters. It's funny, I work at a toy and game design company and have done some box art! Coming 2021. Maybe my style has grown into that kind of work haha! I would like to soften it so it's more children's book friendly though! I think we both have what it takes, just have to push!
@CLCanadyArts I agree I wish they had explained that better, but I understand that they have lots of other submissions to look at. I can see the commercial side of it though if that's what they were getting to! I have no idea how my style ended up looking that way. Probably my rendering. But thank you! Just peeked at your site, I love your style and your work too!
@Lisa-Pickard I should have included welcome feedback from non illustrators too! I agree! I'm looking at my work right now and I can see what you're seeing with the eyes! I'm not sure what it is that's making them look jarring.. I know it has something to do my rendering though! Thank you for the feedback!
@carriecopadraws Thank you so much for the feedback on my site! I totally agree with you! Also I love the idea of having each week be dedicated to a piece in my portfolio. That's a nice way of organizing and tackling all of the work I have to do! Thank you so much
Hello there fellow illustrators! This is kind of lengthy...
I'm new to the world of children's illustration and I keep beating myself down.
In the past year, I applied to illustration agencies and was rejected back to back. I did get some feedback from some of the rejection letters. I was told my style was too marketable and commercial. Then I was told by someone else that my style was too traditional. Then I was told by another person that my style is already fulfilled by many other illustrators. 
Because of this feedback, I question everything. I redid my website and took out a lot of work that I thought wasn't my best. Should keep moving forward with my style? I enjoy creating work with it. I just wonder if it's meant for the children's book publishing world since the feedback I received was all mentioning my style.
With just recently joining SVS Learn, I now understand I haven't reached all of the criteria to put in my portfolio to prove I can work as a children's illustrator. I'm working on a check list to start adding more work. Will Terry's class on children's books has been tremendously helpful with that. 
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and lost with how much I know I need to add. If you have any advice or helpful tips with this, I would greatly appreciate it! And I'm feeling down about my style as well. Maybe if I add something to it or change up my photoshop brushes a bit? The colors? The method or process of painting the work from sketches to finish? I've been told my sketches are looser then my finished work. What do you think?? I feel like I'm not standing out. If you could take a look at my website, and let me know what I'm missing, I'd love a second opinion or just any support as a beginning illustrator, I would be so grateful!
Note: I just put some projects on my site that are not quite finished yet that are only my checklist to show what I'm currently working on. 
Link: http://www.mirandabranley.com
Thank you so much!
@Braden-Hallett Oh and I wanted to have the lightning bugs be the main source of lighting! Should I have another light source?
@chrisaakins Thank you! 
I was going for a transition to night time with pinks, oranges and purples, but I think I can bring in the purple a little bit more to make it clear that it's about to be night time. I think for the lightning bugs, I'm going to actually add their bodies and wings. Just faint enough so that they have a bit more detail.
@Braden-Hallett Yes! I was using this image for the sky to make it seem like it's nightfall aka dusk, and I also wanted to include a lake to reflect the sky so I was planning on adding a small boat in the back or a dock or something!