Illustrating Children's books assignments

[Karim Benyagoub]

Hola guys!
My first assignment! Squirrel got nuts, hehe

[K. W.]

@Steve-Young Ah you're so right! They do look like human hands. xD I looked at more squirrel feet reference, and did a bit of study on them. Thank you.

@DanetteDraws Your critique was really helpful, thanks! I defined his legs and knees a little more, and used slits for toes. I'm much happier with it!

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@Thrace-Shirley-Mears Welcome to the group! And adorable squirrel. I'm going to include some things for you in the below critique as well, with a draw over.

@DanetteDraws Nice experimentation with proportions! That little squirrel on the bottom right corner is so cute haha.

I think it might help you and @Thrace-Shirley-Mears to work on drawing "through" your organic shapes (using cross contour lines and ellipses), to give a better sense of form. Also, including a center line makes it easier to accurately place limbs and other symmetrical features.

Since you both are working traditionally with a pencil, you could try using a light pencil or coloured pencil crayon (I use blue usually), to do the 3D rough drawing, and then ink the final lines with a pen (ballpoint or felt tip, doesn't matter) or a darker pencil. Here's a quick draw over to show you what I mean:

I think the ear on your squirrel, Thrace, is actually pretty good. I thought you had it turned towards us, which it wouldn't be, but now that i look at your drawing again it is turned away I think. Oops. xD Just remember that the center line can be used to compare placement of these things.

Danette, in some of your fox drawings the paws were a little off in length/placement--a perspective issue. Most of them were pretty good though! I love the little outfit on the two-legged fox.

@Fabienne I enjoyed your use of expressions and body language on both assignments! Very entertaining. To my inexperienced eye, it looks like you're taking the right approach. Only nitpick I can see at the moment, is that the mouse with the skewer of veggies and cheese, might have his fist hand facing a bit more towards the viewer, since the skewer appears to be pointing our way.

@Karim-Benyagoub Pretty eye! And I like the way you did the legs and feet as well. My suggestion to you would basically be the same as to Danette and Thrace above--don't forget to put in a center line.

[Karim Benyagoub]

@K.-W. thank you steve ^^
You used some cutey eye too for the center line I don't remember if I used it this time or not, but too late since I deleted all reference lines hehe, but I reassure you, I use it in general ^^ thanks for the feedback and suggestions, I'll need to practice my critique skills too, yet it's scary because my own technique is quite rusty for now haha

[Leontine]

@Fabienne Hi Fabienne, I really like them all, especially the mice! Mouse nr 3 is the naugty one i love him! well done!

[Leontine]

Here are my first two assignments. Its so much fun working together with you all!

[Leontine]

@Thrace-Shirley-Mears The squirrel is really nice, Cant wait to see your fox!

[Fabienne]

@Thrace-Shirley-Mears Woah, thank you for the kind words. blush But my daily routine hasn't been like this ever since:
In the past years I have struggled many times with me and my path as an artist (Do I make fine art, children's books, are my skills too bad?). I had the feeling that I doesn't belong anywhere… After I quit my fine art studies and work as a seller to pay my bills I had no time to draw. No drawing - no fresh portfolio. No portfolio - no success as an artist. In the past months I realized I had to do something to get out of this vicious circle. So I became a self-employed illustrator, quit my job and work hard for commissions and my portfolio.
So don't let anyone or anything distract you from your way! Hard work always pays off.

[Fabienne]

@Leontine-Gaasenbeek These foxes are so adorable but my personal favourite is the left squirrel: I like his expression (He seems not happy with only ONE nut for dinner).
And thanks for your comment! I think everybody has a naughty side - but didn't show in public, hihi.

[Leontine]

@Fabienne XD

[Fabienne]

@K.-W. Thanks for the pointer! I will correct that mistake immediately.

[Thrace]

@K.-W. Thanks so much for the great advice! I hope you will critique my foxes I will post later today. I am glad you thought I drew the squirrel with a pencil but I drew it on my new cintiq that I am trying to like.

[Thrace]

@Fabienne Thank you for the words of inspiration, I can't tell you how good your timing was as I was really feeling down about my progress. I have had the exact same thoughts as you I too am trying to make a living at this but I have not had the confidence to look for work yet. I am giving myself time to take some more courses and get some better pieces on my website. How did you start getting jobs?

[Thrace]

@Leontine-Gaasenbeek These are adorable. What great expressions!!

[Lee White]

I love seeing the work you guys are doing here. Really nice (and inspiring!). Keep it coming!

[Steve Young]

Great work everyone, I am doing the forest 25 object challange at the moment!

[Thrace]

Really have struggled with the ears. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Isaac Vargas Cardenas]

@Thrace-Shirley-Mears try to give the ears a more loose feel , you're going pretty well

[Thrace]

@Isaac-Vargas-Cardenas Thanks!

[Leontine]

@Thrace-Shirley-Mears HI Thrace, I think the ears are pretty good. The fox with the suite is very cute! Try to use lose lines, don't make them to stiff. I really like the friendliness that they are showing. keep up the good work!

[Fabienne]

@Thrace-Shirley-Mears First of all: these foxes looking very nice especially the ringmaster. Well done! And the ears on the left fox are fine.
I think you should use more 3-dimensional shapes and take the "Posing characters" course to learn how to draw the bean-shape and become more "loose".

To bring it back to your question, i highly recommend @Will-Terry as a wonderful inspiration boost itself! Watch videos on his Youtube-channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJzBjR65pXg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsLf8Nek91s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6xrt5ko1uw

Don't let it get you down! I'm starting getting jobs as well. I don't know how it looks abroad but the job prospects here in germany are not the best for illustrators. Publishers on the Frankfurter Book Fair or the Bologna Children's Book Fair said my characters are not "cute" enough or I have an "english style". But it all depends on the person that's sitting in front of you during the formal audition.
I also do layouts for flyers, posters or catalogues as a second focus. For me it's easier to get those jobs but it's not satisfactory. Mostly these assignments coming from your friendships, the university… you had to know someone. And I'm not good at this. BUT: I try my best to present me on the internet and call publishers for dates.

I hope this was helpful, Thrace. If you have more questions – ask.