I follow a watercolour artist on Instagram and I remember she said she enhances her work digitally on a software otherwise she can't render the subtility of the true colours and the transparency. I don't remember how she does it unfortunatelly...
But it seems that's the path to follow.
Good luck!!

I found the beginning photoshop class to be the most helpful since I wasa complete newbie a year or two ago.

@Kasey-Snow anytime!!!

@TessaW Ah, thanks for clearing that up. Makes perfect sense! (And yes, I know another Theresa Johnson! 😆 )

@jdubz The Jamie Zollars "jump into the studio" from last month talked about pricing for book covers...not sure if it is posted yet in the classes though - but i think there was really good information

@DLArmantrout I have to read this again when my left brain can turn on. I’m getting ready to start perspective for the second time. 😖😬

I recently got this MOFT stand through a kickstarter and love it. It's not available yet on their website, but would recommend. Plus it folds flat so that you can take it with you if you travel.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/moft/moft-z-worlds-first-invisible-sit-stand-desk

@Griffin i would go with png if you can - jpeg compresses the image and i think it is noticeable - in procreate you can create a new canvas with the dimensions and dpi that you want and then import the flattened final if you wanted to reduce dpi - i usually reduce the image dimensions only until it meets the posting requirement size - i do that in the "preview" program on my mac - it lets you change dpi and file size in any way you want ...@Chip-Valecek I did not know that 300 dpi and 72 looked the same on a computer screen!

I always use Hawaii time zone. Gives me a few extra hours and they've never rejected my piece for not making the deadline. 😇

@Braden-Hallett I was wrong--I have a 13" screen--I feel your pain. AND It might be because it was designed to be both computer and tablet and screen, but when I connect it to photoshop, it will not give me a full zoom... so my working area is reduced to about 5X5 inches...(grrr) Hence the shop

@arielg I am not sure if anyone mentioned it already but last month Jake and Will did a critique video for homework/assignments from the curriculum and it was well received. I believe they might continue it in the upcoming months.

As for community assignments -the monthly contests are the only thing I can think of involving everyone (who wants to partake) but you won't get feedback unless you are in the top 16 and yes as the others have said post your work in the form and seek out help.

🙂

@NessIllustration I will give that a go, thank you!

@Hector-Sandoval-Ormeño It’s my pleasure to try and help by sharing my viewpoint - hopefully the talking about contrasting opinions and ideas helps us broaden our own and grow. 😁 Thank you for sharing more about the story and your drawings, you were very thorough in your preparation for your final piece and I learn a lot just by looking at your process, which is what I really enjoy about these forums!

Good luck with the competition, your artwork is visually strong and hopefully the judges think it is the best match for the story 🥇

@Shyam-Sailus I was looking for this list. Good find.

@Kim-Hunter The book cover class Lee mentioned was a separate, interactive 10-week course with weekly assignments and video critiques from the instructors. I took it a year ago, not sure how often they offer it. It is not a class that's part of the regular subscription. Hope that answers your question!

@LauraA I've been looking at this, which was a Kickstarter a while back. Great reviews, but a little pricey (for my low end iPad). Might be worth it for a Pro iPad.

https://paperlike.com

@Alex-Wilkins said in First Time Book Illustration Gig!:

I'm thinking, "What is the most professional thing to do when talking about money?", "How do I set up a contract?", "Should I even MAKE a contract?!", and "What questions should I ask or avoid?"

You set up a contract by finding a template and changing it to suit your needs. The graphic artist's guild has one that's good enough to alter to suit your needs (and gives you an idea of things to ask the client, too).

Yes, unless the client makes a contract, you should absolutely make a contract. Like, 100% yes have a contract. Seriously, have a contract.

A few questions to ask could revolve around deadlines, size and formatting, whether the client is thinking of royalties vs. a flat fee.

Good luck with negotiations! I always find hammering out a contract a tad nerve wracking 🙂

@NessIllustration Hey Ness! This blue version looks really good! I think I like it more than the green one haha, feels more integrated. But I will keep it the green one because I feel green color its a key color to the history at least from the reference I got from the movie and other works I saw.

I will keep that in mind for next time to play a little bit with the background 😉 !

@cszoltan Yes, I think that too!
@MOO Thanks!

Thanks everyone for all the help, you rock!