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My entry for this month...

@Lee-White thank you!!!!! I can't tell you how hard it has been to figure that out. You're the man!

@smceccarelli though Lee is correct, your input also answered another big question for me. Thanks for being so active on these boards.

I wanted to share something I learned on a you tube video years ago. It cleans brushes I would otherwise throw away. Murphy's oil soap and water- I use half half, I was amazed!!!! I started taping the brushes to the rim of the glass as to not bend the bristles on the bottom of the container. I have done this with oil and acrylic and even house hold wall paint brushes. I usually just soak overnight. Really rough brushes you may need to soak a few days! The old paint just slips off. And the brushes are like new= Best trick I have ever come across in painting! Happy painting!

First off, thank you all for the help and critiques. Your input was invaluable.

There are a few things I want to touch up but I have officially run out of time. I had a 3D project unexpectedly land on my plate today so I wanted to finish the night off with completing what I have. Let me know what you think.
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Unfortunately advertising is an expensive part of doing business. I think I spent around $8000 in the first year on postcards (that's an estimate). Postage being the biggest expense. Still, in an age where everyone wants to send an emailer because it's free, you will stand out if you send tangible promos like postcards, etc.

The expense is the other reason you need to be DAMN SURE YOU ARE READY. If you aren't already getting lots of attention for you work, it might be too early. Signs you are ready are:

you are winning contests people are sharing your work A LOT on social media you are being asked for interviews, shows, etc you are being asked to do actual work for clients clients are recommending you to other clients your instructors are saying that you are ready and encouraging you to start advertising.

If these things aren't happening, you may want to wait until they are. This is exactly what we are going to be going over in the portfolio class that starts in January.

Hello all - Here are the submission instructions for this month's Third Thursday - Wednesday is actually the 14th and i'm sure that is when we should submit - good luck everyone 🙂

Submission:
Images must be submitted before 12:00 noon EST on Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2016

Images should not be larger than 2000 pixels in the long dimension

Images must be sent to svslearninfo@gmail.com for consideration

LABEL YOUR JPEG WITH YOUR NAME (ex: jennySmith.jpg)

In the email please include your Instagram and Twitter username (we want to tag the winners)

@lydia, you didn't come across as putting any job down😊 I just commented about being a Barrista cos you mentioned it!! I chose it over teaching, 'cos it allows me mental and time to pursue my goals!!!All good.

I watch them without drawing. I have trouble focusing on anything else while drawing or painting, probably due to my lack of experience. But I enjoy watching them after dinner in the conservatory on my pad or phone. I usually watch for an hour or so at a time 🙂

Final cleanup and has been submitted. Looking forward to seeing everyone else's finished pieces.
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Thank you all for you comments. I really appreciate it. I always get to a point in my pieces that I know they are not quite finished but I just don't know what to do next, so thank you for your input.

I really like this perspective better! Nice job Natiwata. I tried to imagine different angles while still making ht story obvious, this is a great skill set you have.

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I had this idea but then realized when I reread the prompt that it might be too confusing because the guy, Thomas, needs to be closer to the bear and reaching for the marshmallow that is ready to eat. Should I eliminate the girl completely or just switch her with the guy character (Thomas)?
I have a couple of other ideas too but realize they don't fit the prompt as well.

Any feedback is appreciated.

By the way this school and the forum is priceless, overwhelmed how happy I am to be a part of such a supportive community that helps and cheers each other on-Pass the tissues-Thanks everyone!

@smceccarelli I forgot about the mixed media approach. I might try that. 🙂

@Shams-Nelson Thank you again. Very helpful info 🙂

@Lee-White @Charlie-Eve-Ryan @Rebecca-Hirsch

Just as a follow-up since a lack of storytelling was a big theme in your feedback, I thought I'd share this forum post which shows my recently created story-telling pieces.

http://forum.svslearn.com/topic/2415/children-s-book-illustration-styles-feedback-please

Any thoughts or feedback on it would be appreciated.

Have a good one!

~Shams

@Eric-Castleman Thank you so much! I am very grateful for such encouragement, because like most artists, some days I feel pretty good about my progress but other days... it's as if it is so bad that it all needs to be burned to a crisp! I guess it is always easier to focus & remain on the blemishes/issues, seeing where you need to improve.

For both all of us: Fighting! (That's my Korean drama influence coming out. They often say that to one another as a means of encouragement, like saying, "You can do it!")

I agree with @natiwata and @Chip-Valecek, the boy with net feels more natural and dynamic, and it draws the eye into all the right places. I wouldn't worry about having the same theme, I think each entry is totally different.
Best of luck!

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