@bichonbistro Be assured that even though you are the one brave enough to ask the questions, there are plenty of us who are going to benefit from the answers! I for one am pretty clueless about this stuff!!

@eric-castleman Actually no! Is this a good class starting with? I was thinking maybe I should start from Painting Color and Light. I would really like to start my illustrations with value first and then move to color. Feels much easier for me.

@jason-bowen @christinakal I've been reading through the following link about illustrators and their postcards. Its very informative and it gives a lot of different perspectives from illustrators.
Sub It Club Postcard Post

I don’t have a huge amount to add on top of the feedback already given.

I would add a call to action (eg: Contact me today) that sends them to your contact page. At the bottom of the About page is a good start.

You did mention your Youtube channel, however, I couldn’t find a link to it on your website (you can just link the text that mentions it).

Regarding your style and content. I agree with the following comments:

create 10 pieces in the same style you want to be hired for AND display them next to each other. Take Wills portfolio class.

My other feedback is to get a real URL. Something like jasonwbowen.com looks more professional than jasonwbowen.wixsite.com/

@tessaw thank you!I'm on it now...

I recommend having a mix of physical, relaxation, and creative activities.
I go for a walk, listen to ASMR videos on youtube, watch movies or series, read, learn a new skill like learning a language or even art-related skills. I need to do something to rest everyday but take at least 1 day completely off every week.

Very helpful information guys. Thanks a bunch!

@Lee-White Hi guys! I'm starting to see questions about the fall classes but don't know if I should add mine to one of those threads or just ask in general--may we have a general fall class update?

I am particularly wanting to know about environments and children's books. But if those aren't available, I might choose something else, and that's why I would like to know, so I won't save a spot for a class that doesn't end up happening this fall and, having done so, forgo the opportunity to take one that is being offered but may fill up while I wait.

Thanks so much!

Thanks a lot peeps! When I get back home I'll check out some of my favorite comics, see if I get any cool concepts for figuring out my panels.
If I get a completed, coherent comic out of this I'll be really happy. And who knows, maybe I'll do good in the competition too.

@tessaw I believe you are right if you are saving for the web on that. I still change it myself before saving.

@smceccarelli I've heard of horror stories like that before. I had considered myself immune to it until I saw a post by Maggie Stiefvater on Twitter, explaining how her popular YA series had taken a hit (and not turned into a box set by the publisher) because of people illegally distributing her kindle copies.

I like how you have your website as a living, interactive portfolio. Maybe I should take that approach with Wattpad going forward. ^_^

As a side note, a majority of agents and contests do not consider Wattpad to be a published place. If you self-publish on nearly any other site/platform online, some will see the author as "used material" as they prefer debuts. Wattpad lets you retain all rights as well as the special debut privilege, which was a major factor in my decision to post there.

@smceccarelli Thanks, they are great love the style. I think for this year I will send in some work I did earlier on this year and work on some illustration for next year

@tessaw I never thought of Legos 🤔I like that idea.

@gorillo I wonder if its the file type you are using. What is the file type? How did you go about saving it? I know at work I will get jpg's from people and I will have to sometimes resave them in order for them to work in the browser. It was something to do with the data of the jpg.

@Heidi-Ahmad I might be interested in using Society6.com or similar in the future.

@TwiggyT
@TessaW
@Chip-Valecek
@riftweaver
@stringfellowart

Color and Light classes here I come! Thank you all for the nice comments and giving much needed advice for furthering my work. I appreciate you taking the time! -Todd

Just a quick update -- after lots more searching I found a photo editor called Fotor Photo that is only $20 a year and has the eyedropper functions I was looking for. It is really just a photo editor, not a painting/illustration program, but it seems to work fairly well adjusting the pictures I took of my watercolors (this time with a camera as Lee recommended.) It has a free version that allows you to do quite a bit but I didn't think $20 was much for all of the extra settings you can manipulate.

When is the deadline for the application?
If there is some time, you should create more concept art pieces and add them to your portfolio. If not, then just apply and don't worry. If you get it it's a "YAY!" If you don't get it it's a "continue doing/improving your art, keep your job (if you have one) and keep trying"

Hope your style fits the company style.

Also think about it in this way: if you have little experience in concept art and they were going to hire you and get you to start work on a good project this coming Monday (for wathever feature animation/movie or AAA game they may be producing), would you feel like you are able to do the job?

If you have little time to add some concept art to your portfolio, do it thinking about this situation. Because in the industry, you may be given 5hrs to finish a full piece for your team to add to the product or to give to some client. And if that is the potential case for this company, your portfolio should show them you can do it!

@rcartwright
Yes!
I think the world of all three of them, and I've never known better teachers

@smceccarelli I thought I remembered you were somewhere in Europe! Lucky you! Definitely look into the RRO's! Honestly, I've considered moving to Canada simply to be able to collect my reprographic royalties.