Crossing my fingers for luck (and to hopefully get away with lying!)

Was playing around and made this illo. I don't consider it to be completely successful but feel it was a good practice project. If anyone wants to share any comments, that'd be very appreciated.

Thanks!
Su

Absolutely stunning book. All your illustrations are so moving... can't wait to see the final product. Regarding the cover page, 2 and 3 are my favorites. I love them equally. Perhaps you can choose your favorite for the cover and use the other as a vignette to close the book.

Hi!

I've been thinking quite a bit about your copy for the book. Did you think about Sarah Lawrence's post (right after your hummingbirds illo post) regarding some suggestions for improving the text? For me she was spot on. Varying the thoughts and emotions and adding sensory words makes the story richer and deeper. I found that repeating the word happy or happiness often to be distracting and made it less special. I'd recommend typing out the story and studying it separately from the art to see if you like it. The story is very important and should be able to stand on its own. Then when you combine it with your gorgeous art, they can soar together.

If you could post just the final text for the book, it'll help to see what title works best with the story itself.

Best,
Su

@TwiggyT You are a good artist! I enjoy seeing your posts about your art. Your teachers were totally wrong to have made you think that you don't have talent. Art is so subjective — I wish you had gone to a school that had more teachers that were able to appreciate your style. And I'm so sorry about your illness. I can't imagine how difficult that is to be tired all the time. There's a new Netflix series called Diagnosis. I've watched a few episodes and it's really good. Wondering if watching it could give you any insights on your health issues.

Best of luck to you. Keep on creating!

@dkroese Love this!

Hi Amanda,

Love your style! I agree with Gary's comment about your sketches not telling a story — yet. The answer is in your description "magic and folklore over the centuries, communication with spirits and dreams, fire and Jupiter." You've told quite the story with your words, now do it with your art!

Connect her blowing of those magical seed heads up and up to those spirits and dreams instead of the forest. Make this story sing!

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Best,
Su

@chrisaakins Thank you! Being a part of this community is so much fun and is very inspiring!

Hi Xin Li,

I wanted to comment that I absolutely LOVE the sketch you did of "Tim liked the red cape very, very much!" It has such a great energy and flow across the page. That is the illustration that I am longing to read the story about. If you had the inclination to finish that one I think you'd have a fantastic piece for your portfolio.

While I like your pirate illo, the cape illo sings to me and touches my heart. 🥰

Best,
Su

@xin-li That's fabulous!! I love this image so much!!

So happy for you! The book came out wonderfully! Yes, SCBWI is a wonderful organization and their conferences are so inspirational. Hope you had a spectacular portfolio sharing experience!

@TessaW This is such a strong illustration! Do you have a story that goes along with it? If so, I can't wait to read it!

It would be lovely to have a combination of treatment—keeping of some blurred flowers (love that dreamy quality of the strokes) but mostly keeping the more defined ones. Nice job!

@xin-li That's fabulous!! I love this image so much!!

@TwiggyT You are a good artist! I enjoy seeing your posts about your art. Your teachers were totally wrong to have made you think that you don't have talent. Art is so subjective — I wish you had gone to a school that had more teachers that were able to appreciate your style. And I'm so sorry about your illness. I can't imagine how difficult that is to be tired all the time. There's a new Netflix series called Diagnosis. I've watched a few episodes and it's really good. Wondering if watching it could give you any insights on your health issues.

Best of luck to you. Keep on creating!

That's so exciting!!! Good luck in the next round!

Welcome! Beautiful work! This is a great place to learn!

Your artwork is fantastic!! Way to stick with it—it's exceptional!

Kudos to you!

Congrats! Love your illustration! It has a wonderful foreboding feeling to it and I want to read it. Excellent work!

Su

Hi Tracy,

I like your image! The colors seem very fitting for the reflective nature of the image. Subdued and tranquil is good. Nice job!

Su

@chrisaakins Lovely! Your students are lucky to have you teaching them.