I think this is the hardest piece I have worked on for me. I guess perspective is not my strongest side. Thank you for everyone who has helped out along the way - you guys made my process so much more fun and engaging.

When I was an interaction designer, there was a saying in the industry "celebrate your failer". I did not really understand why, but now I really like that approach. SO I am going to celebrate my first "No" from my editor.

Yesterday, I submitted my first completed picture book dummy to an editor (we had good work experience in the past, I just finished illustrating a book for her recently). Within 2 hours, I received a rejection via email with an in-depth critique on the dummy. I was so excited and I almost said "fantastic" out loud.

I was excited because:

1. I finished a picture book dummy for the first time (a huge milestone for me).
2. Someone professional actually read it and cared enough to write a thoughtful crit during her working hours.

Now I am back to the drawing board with revisions to do. :-).

Here is my entry for this month. So glad I made it.
For the first time, I did my svs monthly challenge with traditional medium. I did not have access to a big enough scanner for today. So the image is taken by iPhone and I did a slight re-touch on photoshop.

Hi, everyone. I have a big news - I just signed a contract with Plum Pudding Illustration agency in the UK this week. I am waiting for them to update info on their website to make it offical :-).

Before the lockdown came, I hesitated to contact agents, because I did not feel "I am ready" (as most of you may feel the same way about your own work). I thought I need to just add a couple more pieces. Then during the first period of the lockdown, everything became so surreal and the world felt upsidedown. I was not able to consentrate on making art, so I started to reach out - writing to agents, editors and art directors. Then I was very lucky to recieve an offer, and now I am preparing for a new adventure.

It was interesting to illustrate the 3 point perspective episode "risky business" around the same time I got the agency offer. I felt I am that bunny who is walking through that door to the unkown territory. It is super exciting and a little scary too.

Thank you so much, SVS family, for all the critiques, advises on the illustration busniess, and surpport&encouragement. Thank you so much @Will-Terry @Lee-White @Jake-Parker for creating the SVS community.

"Love is magic."
I got lots of help from the SVS family in the forum with this piece. Learned a lot. Thank you so much.

I also revisited my piece, and could not resist to touch up a bit more of the muddy color. Sorry for my re-submission.

I enjoyed this and it also drove me a bit crazy. Thank you so much for the critique along the way. Always making my image so much better when I share the process on the forum. Love seeing all the submissions. The variety is wild this month.

Am I too late?

Than you so much for so much constructive feedback I have received so far. I did not get to completely finalize this piece. So I submit what I have so far, and will continue to work on it in 2020.

Happy new year, everyone! I hope you get to have time to dream big and silly dreams in 2020.

Me and my daughter read the lovely book This pretty planet illustrated by @Lee-White recently. When we reached the last spread of the book (see image attached ), my 3 years old daughter asked me "Where did the rabbit go?". We looked all around the spread. Then I pointed the open window on the spread, and said "I think the rabbit went outside for a walk."

My daughter was not satisfied with my interpretation. She thought for a bit, then she pointed the bear in the corner of the room, then said "I think the bear ate the rabbit." Then she made the sound effect for the bear eating rabbit.

This is exactly why I love making images. Unlike words, images open up all kinds of interpretations., different people see different things with the same image.

Congratulations. Looking forward @NessIllustration

@Braden-Hallett do you stand when you draw? I work on a 13-inch Cintiq too, and I have a lot of back pains lately. Your set up gave me some ideas

@Neha-Rawat how exciting. I totally understand that you feel nervous.
You have got a very good list which covers all the questions I would ask if I were in your place.

Some thoughts:

• I will only mention the past projects I personally want to do more of the similar projects, just to keep the focus. I would not worry too much about the credibility - you won a big price, your portfolio gives all the credibility they need to hire you.

• Let the AD talk as much as possible about your strength, and ask follow-up questions regarding that. This is an indication what the AD would probably hire you for. Maybe you can add the question about if they have a project that will fit you here, to show you are very interested in working with them.
  I once had an AD I respect very much looked at my work. He talked a lot about what I did right. First I thought it was sort of waste of time - I did not need hearing compliments, I wanted to know what I need to improve. But after some months, I started noticing that I am doing more of the things the AD said I did right. I am more consciously embracing these things. Then my work changed visibly.

• Maybe spend time to talk about the author-illustrator project. If you already have a story to pitch, tell the AD an elevator pitch. I might even ask if the AD is interested in the story, and if she/he wants to have a look once you have a dummy ready. Then ask for contact information.

• I would not worry too much about how you can be a good fit to them. It is their job to figure out that :-). The way the AD talks about your strength could reflect a lot regarding the way they see how you can fit. I also would not worry about what do they look for, and what they are interested in acquire. My agent has shared some of these information. I found it useful to some degree. But I think ultimately, you need to be you to be an artist and illustrator. Also, I think it is really hard to come up with questions related to this subject without being to general or vague.

@LauraA said in Art history series from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on Youtube:

Nathan Fowkes

Yeah. I think he is one of Lee's teachers at Art Center. I took a self-paced class with him at schoolism long time ago. He was talking about the value based paintings. But back then, I did not understand anything he was talking about

@LauraA I am not familiar with the Boston painters. I followed the link you provided. Very fascinating. I am trying to take a bit of the impressionist way of color treatment into my digital painting these days. Still experimental stage.

I love impressionism paintings. But I never did a deep dive into how the painters from that period works with the materials and techniques. Then I came across the series of lectures produced by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hDJJkiwM1A
This particular one is about Materials and Techniques of the French Impressionists. There are more videos on art history from different period of time.

Enjoy!

@Gary-Wilkinson love your illustrations. The character design, the lighting, and the color are so lovely.

I too wonder about your layout design choice. The current layout reminded me of some classical children's storybooks. If your story has the same kind of vibe and aiming for a timeless, classical feel, this layout may work perfectly. If you are looking for a more dynamic feel, this layout solution may not be ideal.

I look forward to reading your book. The illustrations look so fun :-).

@Tom-Shannon I would buy a copy of a book that contains the same information. I was really drawn by the images in the video content, I felt I would need to really set time to google the artists that mentioned in the videos, and study the art.

The problem with these videos is they are way too interesting so I can not have it on while painting :-).

@davidhohn I love Unsung Heroes of illustration. Thank you so much for sharing.