Giving this contest thing a go!
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@ajillustrates Ah, ok. Will do!
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I really struggle with knowing what my style is. Over the years, I’ve been asked to do so many different things in different styles that I don’t know what my true style is. I know there’s a class on that on here, and I plan to do it. I already submitted my piece for the contest and I was pretty happy with it, but something felt wrong. Like it felt too finished or something. Like I was trying too hard. I’m not really sure. I guess part of it felt like it wasn’t whimsical enough. I do really whimsical stuff in my sketch book and for art i put into galleries, but I’ve never really brought that totally into my illustration for work. Anyway, I started a new piece last night. Still based on the original concept, but in a different style and having that hand rendered, pencil look that I don’t intend to have totally finished or polished, really appeals to me. It feels more personal I guess, or maybe more personality? I’m going to try to get this finished in time to submit it, but would appreciate your thoughts.
Art is hard.
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@Janette LOVE this one! Go with your gut and with the style you naturally draw in ... if you look at all the picture books out there, you'll find one in every style. There is no one set "children's book style".
Can't wait to see this one all done ... when you're ready to share it!
illustrator - author - smiley person
mbaileyart.com
instagram.com/mbaileyart/ -
@Melissa-Bailey-0 Thank you. I do enjoy everything I do, I just really feel like I need to be true to myself and not try to be like others, in every area of life!!
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I feel a bit like when Facebook first came out. I'm posting on here all the time!!! I suspect this is more useful though! lol
Anyway .. thoughts on this new version vs the original, please.
Art is hard.
https://www.instagram.com/janettehillart/ -
@Janette the values are working better in this new version, and the limited palette is helping with some cohesion. I still like the original sketch with the tiny flyswatter, for storytelling.
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This is beautiful! I do feel that it has more "soul" in it.
When it comes to this kind of illustration, I'm not even near the "defining my style part", but I've been doing fantasy maps and battle maps for a long time now and in that, I have a very defined and personal style. And honestly I don't have a straight path on how I developed it, but a part was really to just do things in the way it made sense to me, in the way I liked, and not being too concerned with "the fantasy map style".
There are always going to be things we will be inspired in the illustration areas we are working, and there is a certain language to each, but then, within that, there's so much that can be done!!So yeah, I really feel you should embrace what is already you, and evolve from there
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@Janette I love this one, more so than your first! The expressions/emotions on each of the character faces are wonderful! There's a fascinating dialogue going on that the first one didn't have. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting you, but you come across as lacking confidence with a side order of a fear of lacking a style. Your skill, both technical and compositional, is exceptional and I can see a clear "you"ness to your pieces. Keep doing what you're doing because it's definitely working!
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@Jeremiahbrown No, that's not a misinterpretation. I'm not sure you go about getting more confidence. It's rare that I do something and remain happy with it. Ironically, I think that art is the only thing I'm 'good' art, but then when I look at others works, that all breaks down and I think I'm a bit of an art fraud. But, thank you for your comment. I'm not about to give up, I just think I need a little direction. I just signed up for the SCBWI conference in July and paid for a portfolio review, so I'm hoping that will help me.
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@Matthew-Oberdier I agree. Maybe I can add the swatter back in somewhere. That was the very first idea I had when thinking about the prompt, so it'd be nice to have it in there again.
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@TaniaGomesArt My whole life I've tried to be like others in every way!!! At school, I used to even change my handwriting to match my friends who's handwriting I thought was better. I don't think I ever grew out of that!!! I thought by middle age, you were meant to know yourself! lol
Art is hard.
https://www.instagram.com/janettehillart/ -
@Janette This is really great. Part of the charm of your style, to me, is that free, sketchy line quality. Limiting the palette really helps let that shine. I could see this in a b&w style for early readers or chapter books.
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@Valerie-Light Thank you. I really appreciate your feedback.
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I really like the first one with the glowing hair. I like the way she's crammed herself into such a small space - so we know she's desperate. And the frog really buttons it up. That she's hiding with a flyswatter is a good story but the frog takes it up a level to a great story. What did she do to tick off that frog?
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@Janette I get that. Only this last year I grew out of the things that made me have drawing anxiety... There should be a rule that after a certain age we would be all out of these kind of things right? Lolol But you have something very unique in this style, and you can add to it, but I really think you should have it as your base because it is beautiful and it is You!!!
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@TaniaGomesArt LOL yes! I think we need to write to someone to complain! I might create the character in this style, even though tht was for the prompt. I need to explore this style more. Thank you for your encouragement
