How would you interpret this prompt?

[Rich Green]

Hi Everyone,

There is an art contest judged by Giuseppe Castellano that is part of the SCBWI event I am signed up for here in IL in November. The piece has to be submitted however by this Sunday - so not much time to get this done!

Anyway, I could use some help interpreting the prompt which is here below:

“Reveal your Identity!: Who are you? Whether you’re mild-mannered or super-powered, each illustrator has his/her own identity. You may be a wizard with watercolor; a god with gouache; a force with Photoshop; or a Martian with mark-making. Show your identity in a NEW illustration of your choosing. The only rule is that the illustration must be within a 10 inch x 10 inch space. Good luck.”

I read this as - do a piece that represents who you think you are as an artist. And create the illustration in the style/medium that you feel showcases that.

A few of my local peers who are also attending the event - have mentioned they were going with a superhero version of themselves, or showing things coming out of their own heads, etc in their designs.

I do not read this as it having to be an illustration that has a likeness of the artist in it. But these other folks did.

So I would love some feedback to see what all of you think - as I don't want to have missed the mark on this and time is running out!

Thanks in advance,
Rich

[Dulcie]

Ooh that is a really interesting prompt! I agree that it means doing a piece that represents who you think you are as an artist, and of course it would make sense to use the style closest to your heart.

I can see why your local art friends are choosing to draw a superhero version of themselves; the way the text is phrased suggests it as a possibility, with the 'reveal your identity' and 'super-powered' wording...and I can also see how doing a likeness of yourself in other ways eg a diagram of your brain/head, or a self-portrait, is another obvious route....BUT I would say that is not specifically stated in the prompt, so it's not obligatory. If you can think of another - perhaps more cunning! - way to reveal yourself, then of course that would be great, and you might differentiate yourself that way. I can't think exactly how, yet..but perhaps you have had some ideas already? Would love to see what you come up with for this, keep us posted!

[Rich Green]

@Dulcie Thanks for your input on this Dulcie - makes me feel better to hear that you could read it either way.

Now, about coming up with my own more cunning take on this, well I am still trying to sort that out.

I will show some sketch concepts as soon as I have a few I like!

[Lee White]

2 words— "Spirit Animal"!

[Joy Heyer]

According to the prompt, there is only 1 rule--that it be within a 10x10 inch space. My interpretation--based on recent tweets by Castellano-- is that you draw your style, not try and imitate someone else's style. Don't draw Lee White's spirit animal Lee White-style, draw your spirit animal your way. I'm excited to see what you come up with! Good luck and happy drawing!

[Rich Green]

@Joy-Heyer Thanks so much Joy - and I really appreciate the added insight you mentioned from his tweets. That really clarifies this even more!

@Lee-White - yes Spirit Animal is a fantastic way to approach this.

Wow - this forum never ceases to amaze me with its support!!! Thanks again

[flynnart]

I agree with you do a piece that represents who you think you are as an artist. Create an illustration in your style, whatever that may be. At least that's what I did
Mary

[natiwata]

@Joy-Heyer I agree, Giuseppe really preaches the idea of not illustrating a style based on what you think the accepted rules are for the genre, meaning 'don't draw a kid in a "children's book style" because our preconceived notion of what that means is derivative and probably limited. So be yourself

He is also super active on Twitter and almost always responds to questions asked.

[Rich Green]

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[Rich Green]

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