@burvantill Thanks! It will probably take me a minute to get the mess in, haha! I've never drawn anything with a lot of objects before, but I'm going to give it a go! Thanks for the great feedback!

Hi everyone! I was hoping to get some quick feedback on this little spot illustration I'm working on just for fun. It's done in watercolor. My question is, would this benefit from some line work to define things, or do you like it the way it is?

Here's also an image of the first little sketch/color study I did in my sketchbook before turning it into a watercolor:

What do you think? Leave it as it is, or add line work? (If you have other feedback, I'll appreciate that as well!) Thank you so much!

@saciia_ @theprairiefox Thanks! Those are really helpful tips! I am first just figuring out the composition, but I will be doing a value study next before moving forward with a final piece.

This gives me something to work with, thank you so much!

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some feedback on my thumbnails for an illustration I'm working on to go in my very first portfolio. The idea is that a little girl wants to grow up and be a chef like her dad, and her dad walks in to find her in his restaurant kitchen cooking (and having made an enormous mess).
The big dark shape in the bottom right and the shape in the sinks is going to be the piles of destruction she's created (I'm going to fill those shapes in with dirty dishes and spilled ingredients, etc., but separate the objects with value).

The sketches here are pretty rough, and were done with pencil in a sketchbook.

I'd appreciate any feedback at all (about storytelling, value, composition, etc.)

Thank you so much!!!

@lovetherobot Your work is so cool! I am by no means a portfolio expert (er...I'm still trying to put together a first-ever one), but I'd say it depends -

I'd go ahead and cut anything that you don't feel is relevant to you/your work any more (if that's all of it, hell, start over). If there are any that you feel are really strong and/or really represent your work, I don't see why you couldn't keep them. But if you feel it's all outdated or doesn't really show what you do, that might create a problem when people go to hire you.

I agree that your style seems a little inconsistent in the portfolio other than a gorgeous use of color. You also seem to have several cases of there being a couple of similar-looking pieces. Maybe narrow it down a bit and show your style, but show the versatility of that style?

Like I said, I'm far from being knowledgeable, so feel free to disregard all of that (ha!). But I hope some of that is helpful anyway! Great work, I'd love to see it again when you've updated it!

Hey! I was just wondering who else is working mostly in traditional (non-digital) art mediums on here? Any advice, especially when it comes to creating a portfolio?

(I do graphite, colored pencil, ink & markers, and watercolor.)

Edit: I'd also like to know if there are any particular classes on SVS that are really helpful for artists and illustrators who work in traditional mediums?

@nyrrylcadiz @NessIllustration Thanks, those are really helpful tips!!

@Potterkun I love these! Others have done a great job addressing composition. As far as being "too cartoony" (sort of a vague piece of feedback, in my opinion), I think the storytelling could be pushed a little farther and it would breathe more life into the pieces. As a few examples:

Is the mouse on an expedition or adventure, or just out for a serene hike? What if that bird in the tree said something to him?

In the snow scene, are the two characters playing together? The small boy is looking off-screen - is he playing with someone else and the character with the braids wants to be included?

In the dinosaur illustration, the character is reacting to his pet peeing but looking elsewhere, which makes it seem a little flat or disconnected.

I love these! Keep up the good work!

Hey everyone! I am interested in putting together my very first illustration portfolio, but I don't have a lot of good pieces yet and don't really know where to start. I took the portfolio classes here on SVS and there's tons of good advice, but a little overwhelming when I don't have much to work with yet.

Any ideas/advice on how to get started with creating pieces that can build up a first portfolio? (I am interested mostly in childrens' book illustration, with some interest in comics as well).

What a great question! I am excited to see others' answers. I am fairly new to SVS too, but so far I really loved How to Draw Everything by Jake Parker. It's a great class to learn or review the basics of perspective, 3D shapes, and building up a drawing from nothing. All the exercises in that class were helpful!