Hi all! I was just thinking about how much I adore SVS and the forum here. I thought it might be fun to have a "friendsgiving" thread where we all post why we are thankful for SVS. It can be related to the classes, the forums, the instructors, or anything. I'll start!

I'm thankful for the forums because I don't really know anyone in my life who can give me helpful critiques on my work, but everyone here in the forum has my back. I'm also thankful for the classes and instructors, for providing an affordable way to improve my art and also providing a friendly, helpful, inclusive community to be a part of.

Thank you, everyone!

@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 But if you feel it's all outdated or doesn't really show what you do, that might create a problem when people go to hire you.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!

Right now I've decided I need to do more "master study" copies, so I'm starting with my first-ever favorite illustrator, Brett Helquist.

@neschof I am right there with you! I have the same problem of never creating portfolio pieces because I made the excuse of "honing my skill" and "developing a style", all the while playing around with tons of things that never look cohesive or finished. Now is the time to get it together...I will do it along with you!

P.S. Great dream portfolio! I see a few aspects in common with my own dream portfolio, and others that are very different...but what a great collection to be inspired by, and a wonderfully thoughtful analysis!

Chip, your piece is great! I love the macabre take on the three little pigs concept, and the cackling wolf/teacher. You do a great job with storytelling and the contrast and lighting makes the focal point stand out. I'm not sure exactly what their criteria are for the contests, but please don't be disheartened. I look at this piece and can't wait until I have gained the skill to create something like this!

Great job on the steam clouds coming from the hot pork products, but I'd love to see how she got them so fresh and steamy-good. It could be funny if she has a mini electric griddle and is cooking them right there or something, making the smell of grilling pig permeate the cafeteria. You could even have some of the background pigs be looking over in horror (but of course, this is your piece and it's great as it is too!).

You could also possibly play with the wolf teacher - I love the laughing, amused versio, but you could also explore a more menacing wolf, getting ideas about the pigs from seeing and smelling that tasty bacon.

Anyway, this piece is fantastic, and I can't wait to see more of your work! Don't give up, and you will be recognized for your work because you've put your time and effort into making it great.

Mine is still in progress, but here's a sampling I have so far. Some things I've noticed: inky linework, "blotchy" watercolor (by which I suppose I mean that wet-on-wet effect), limited color palettes, and quirky/whimsical character design. I'd love any other observations (and am open to suggestions of other illustrators or pieces).

Artists featured here: Gris Grimly, Quentin Blake, Aurelie Blard-Quintard, Manka Kasha, Lee White, Lucia Stewart

Hey everyone, I'm Nicole, and I'm new to SVS and have been doing art for a few years, self-taught. I'm super excited to be on SVS to improve and learn all those important concepts I never learned from professionals before.

Anyway, I just wanted this watercolor illustration torn apart (ha!). Seriously, though, I want to improve and eventually do book illustration, so I figured I might as well start putting myself out there for critique!

Thank you so much, I'm so glad to be here!

Welcome! Beautiful illustrations!

@Chip-Valecek Thanks for the feedback! The only thing that gives me pause with #1 is that it seems like the "obvious" perspective, or something. Not as visually interesting. I like your reasoning for 5, as it can still focus on the danger of the wolf. I hadn't thought of doing two of them as a spread...that's definitely something to consider! It would also show I can do sequential art, which might not be a bad idea if this is a portfolio piece.

EDIT: The more I think about it, I like your reasoning for 5...it could give me a chance to play with emotion and facial expression on Red (for example, is she uneasy, like she knows something's not right? Is she blissfully unaware that she's being followed?), which would add an element of storytelling.

Haha, she does! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has thoughts like this. At one of my old jobs, a customer came in one day and I thought, "she looks like a Brett Helquist illustration" ...

@Chip-Valecek Thanks for the feedback! The only thing that gives me pause with #1 is that it seems like the "obvious" perspective, or something. Not as visually interesting. I like your reasoning for 5, as it can still focus on the danger of the wolf. I hadn't thought of doing two of them as a spread...that's definitely something to consider! It would also show I can do sequential art, which might not be a bad idea if this is a portfolio piece.

EDIT: The more I think about it, I like your reasoning for 5...it could give me a chance to play with emotion and facial expression on Red (for example, is she uneasy, like she knows something's not right? Is she blissfully unaware that she's being followed?), which would add an element of storytelling.

@TessaW Thanks! I may play around with adding paw prints to one of the other compositions.

@neschof I am right there with you! I have the same problem of never creating portfolio pieces because I made the excuse of "honing my skill" and "developing a style", all the while playing around with tons of things that never look cohesive or finished. Now is the time to get it together...I will do it along with you!

P.S. Great dream portfolio! I see a few aspects in common with my own dream portfolio, and others that are very different...but what a great collection to be inspired by, and a wonderfully thoughtful analysis!

(I personally am leaning toward #4, as it shows Red clearly, but is really focused on the ominous nature of the wolf stalking her.)

Hi all! I was just thinking about how much I adore SVS and the forum here. I thought it might be fun to have a "friendsgiving" thread where we all post why we are thankful for SVS. It can be related to the classes, the forums, the instructors, or anything. I'll start!

I'm thankful for the forums because I don't really know anyone in my life who can give me helpful critiques on my work, but everyone here in the forum has my back. I'm also thankful for the classes and instructors, for providing an affordable way to improve my art and also providing a friendly, helpful, inclusive community to be a part of.

Thank you, everyone!

Hi everyone! I appreciate all of you lovely forum friends. I was hoping to get some feedback/suggestions/critiques on a few thumbnails. I'm wanting to turn this into a portfolio piece. It's a Red Riding Hood illustration that takes place during winter (snow falling).

Mine is still in progress, but here's a sampling I have so far. Some things I've noticed: inky linework, "blotchy" watercolor (by which I suppose I mean that wet-on-wet effect), limited color palettes, and quirky/whimsical character design. I'd love any other observations (and am open to suggestions of other illustrators or pieces).

Artists featured here: Gris Grimly, Quentin Blake, Aurelie Blard-Quintard, Manka Kasha, Lee White, Lucia Stewart

@TessaW Thanks! I appreciate that advice, Tessa! I am definitely going to hit the classes hard and push myself to put in the work of improving.

@TwiggyT That does help, thank you!