The one thing that strikes me right off the bat is that if the water is moving, there should be vaguely "V"-shaped wake disturbances behind or in front of every rock breaking the surface.

Excellent! Charley Parker has chosen some nice examples of Will's work AND there's a link to SVS Learn, too.

Consider this a plug for Lines and Colors which is a wonderful resource for aspiring illustrators.

@RG-Spaulding thanks for the kind words. I think the market is shying away from rhyming books, but it does sound quite fun!

@JoannaH No problem, I felt like I was saving every 20 min fearing my computer was going to die! there are way too many images

@burvantill I am glad you feel this way because I do, too. Does anyone live in Altanta on the forums? Other than @Lee-White I don't even know if anyone hails from the South. Am I all alone in the SVSiverse?

with a link here https://bentheillustrator.com/illustrators-survey

So 60% are earning <19,999 pounds (=25,665 USD) in 2018 while 48% are full time illustrator? He did count US illustrators. Over 80% has annual gross income below $45,000 USD.

Dunno what to take from this data ...

@chrisaakins Yes! For sure! As a mom and preschool teacher there are several “must haves” that when they get loved to death I replace them. Those are among them. Also on my list are: The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone, Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh, The Seven Chinese Sisters by Kathy Tucker ( and beautifully illustrated by Grace Lin), Miss Suzy by Miriam Young, and everything by Beatrix Potter.

I always loved Tuesday by David Wiesner and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Van Allsburg. We even bought the giant portfolio of the Harris Burdick book and had a couple framed. They are part of the fabric of our home now.

I am loving seeing everyone’s additions. The more I think of the more come to mind. Books are so precious. I guess that’s part of why we are wanting to illustrate them!!!

@Charlie-Eve-Ryan Congratulations!! That is awesome!

@demotlj awesome thanks will check it out!

@Dwayne-Neckles Go take a look at the 'painting texture and details' course. Will goes into detail on how he researches and breaks down textures and details.

@TessaW said in 2019 SCBWI Narrative Award!:

tereotypes and see how we can look at a prompt from different perspectives. While this contest implied the definition of what "ground-breaking" is by relating it to space exploration, I don't think it

Thank you @StudioLooong and @TessaW It is totally making sense to me now after your explanations!

All the illustrations together. Well done everyone who did even one illustration. I saw this art challenge the day before it started and wasn't sure I would finish it. I have a sketchbook of fairy sketches so it was a good reason to bring some of the sketches to life.
Folktaleweek2019JudyElizabethWilson.jpg

@Zachary-Drenski I think in this case it would be ok.

@burvantill I saw! they looked great!

Love it! I'd recommend putting up a collage of some of your pieces here as well, so we can see how they compare. 🙂

I am planning on going in 2022, so I would love to keep in touch with you and Elena!

who makes a decision regarding the right illustrator for a book?

I'm making a contact list for emailing publishers and send greeting cards. I somehow got the impression that it may defer from a publisher to another one, is that right? If so why?
For instance, a company like Penguin Random House has loads of Art Directors affiliated to the same branch. Finding the right person to address in this case is overwhelming, let alone the Art Director vs Editor part... Can someone shine some light on me?

@CatOnPaper

My 3 questions relate a lot to my current state of need.

What schedule is best for me to grow the type of work I need and want completed? (concerns to be considered revolve around health issues).

What practical steps can I take to reach and maintain a consistent personal style, that will combine both traditional and digital work? (preference to include both but also concern for my health).

What practical steps do I need to start to do to work towards the business side of Illustration?

🙂

I always loved phisical books.
Recent years, I started reading some e-books, mostly non-fictions, and novels. I also tried listening audio books when I am painting, or doing house chores.
I found e-books and audio books have a place my everyday life some how. But they do not replace my need to hold a real physical book, and I have a hard time thinking these formats will work with picture books.

I applied for a table at next year's ECCC, but I didn't get in. I'm hoping to find an artist who would be willing to share a table. I'd split the costs 50/50. I've never done a con as an artist before, so I'm not sure where to look for partners. If you're interested please PM me? Thanks so much!